‘Pit stops’ along route keep it interesting for walkers

Participants enjoying Yeo’s Oceanic juices at Pit Stop 2, near the Shah Alam Convention Centre.

THE drizzle before the #AnakAnakMalaysia Walk 2017 was no deterrent to the throngs of more than 6,000 participants.

In fact, it was a blessing in disguise as it cooled the temperature, making it an enjoyable walk in the usually humid Malaysian climate.

Along the scenic route in Shah Alam, participants enjoyed goodies from various sponsors at four “pit stops”.

At Pit Stop 1, in front of Laman Budaya, drummers cheered on participants with some upbeat vibes.

EcoWorld building supervisor Mohamad Nasiruddin Shah, 33, and his friends were spotted walking past the percussionists holding Malaysian flags.

Drummers cheering on participants at Pit Stop 1.

“This year, more people took part, it is better than last year’s walk, which I also attended.

“Walking along the route makes me think about how far we have progressed,” he said.

Beverage maker Yeo’s handed out cups of its Oceanic Pineapple and Lime juices at Pit Stop 2, near the Shah Alam Convention Centre.

At Pit Stop 3, opposite Lembaga Pertubuhan Peladang, participants were seen enjoying ais krim potong from Gold Sponsor CIMB Foundation.

One of them was Goh Mean See who was there with her sister and colleagues.

“It was rather cold this morning because of the rain but the nice atmosphere made up for it, we could feel the energy from everyone,” she said, adding that she also joined last year’s walk.

Pit Stop 4 was a special booth set up by co-organiser EcoWorld Development Group Bhd to mark the last 500m of the walk.

The photo stations were a hit among participants who posed with family and friends.

Participants enjoyed Nestle Breakfast Cereals and ice-cold Milo at the end of the route in Dataran Kemerdekaan Shah Alam.

Eight-year-old Nur Farinnaz Sofea, clad in an eye-catching dress made from Malaysian flags, was seen taking photos at one of the photo stations.

Her mother Rozeleene Syafinaz Mohd Tifla spent a night sewing a Beauty and the Beast-inspired dress for her daughter.

“She loves the princess look, so my nephew, who is a fashion designer, and I came up with the design,” she said.

With her were her husband Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah, 38, and son Muhd Firman Shahmi, 12.

Parked at the finishing line was the open-top bus adorned with the campaign logo and caricatures of everyday Malaysians, created by cartoonist Reggie Lee.

After completing the walk, participants enjoyed cups of Milo at the Nestle Milo truck and Nestle breakfast cereals.

Norina Abdul Rahman and her colleagues from the Employees Provident Fund were seen enjoying cups of the beverage.

“We are here to celebrate independence, unity, and the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games. We might not be athletes, but the least we can do is show our support by taking part in this walk,” she said.