Cyclists racing to the finish line at the Wheels of Wellness Mental Health Fun Ride that is in conjunction with the Subang Jaya car-free day. — Photos: RAJA FAISAL HISHAN and JOSHUA YAP/The Star
ABOUT 3,000 cyclists as well as runners gathered outside Subang Parade in Subang Jaya, Selangor, for a run and cycling event.
The Larian Santai Jiwa Merdeka – a 4.5km run in the city, Wheels of Wellness Mental Health Fun Ride, which involves a 35km cycling trip to Putra Heights and back, and aerobic exercise – was held in conjunction with the Subang Jaya car-free day.
“Many people were suffering from mental health issues especially after the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Care Warriors Association president Associate Professor Dr Amer Siddiq Amer Nordin.
He said the cycling event was organised as an effort to improve mental health wellness and to share tips with the public on how to maintain good mental health.
A volunteer at the fun ride, Har Yin Geong, said the event motivated Subang Jaya residents to pick up cycling, so a safe environment was provided for novice cyclists.
After the cycling and running event, the Sihat Selangor carnival, organised by Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), was launched by Selangor public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin together with Subang Jaya mayor Datuk Amirul Azizan Abd Rahim and Hektar Property Services chief executive officer Aldela Puspa Nordin.
A Care Warriors association member handing out a medal to a cyclist who completed the race.
The carnival themed “Merdeka Denggi” was to spread awareness of the rising cases of dengue nationwide. It featured a talk about dengue fever, organised by the Selangor Health Department.
The event also featured booths for visitors to participate in activities such as colouring contests, blood donations and health screenings for eyesight, blood pressure, BMI and diabetes or to learn about things like environmental awareness and crime prevention.
In his speech, Amirul Azizan urged visitors to go for the health screenings provided on site.
“It is better to know what disease we have than to be ignorant about it,” he said.
Children looking at a model of Aedes mosquito displayed at the “Merdeka Denggi” carnival in Subang Parade.
Meanwhile, lucky draw winners walked away with prizes such as household appliances including a television set, microwave oven and the grand prize of a tumble dryer.
In a press conference after the event, Jamaliah said more needed to be done in promoting awareness among children regarding dengue prevention.
She said it was important for children to learn ways to combat dengue.
