Tan (second from left) and Teoh (second from right) posing for a wefie with friends after the 2km charity fun run.
The 2km charity walk was a breeze for 95-year-old Tan Chooi Lye and his wife Carolyn Teoh, 82.
With healthy knees and an active lifestyle, the couple said staying fit had always been a priority.
“We have always made the effort to stay active. In our younger days, we even climbed Mount Kinabalu together – twice!” said Tan, a retired valuer.
The run and carnival was held at Wesley Methodist School Penang (International) to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the Methodist Church in Malaysia.
These days, the couple visits the Penang Botanic Gardens twice a week for walks and light exercise.
Teoh, a retired nurse, said that gardening was another favourite pastime.
“Walking and gardening keep us fit and help maintain our muscle strength.
“We are fortunate to be free from major ailments, and only take vitamins to stay strong. We also stick to a simple, balanced diet,” she said.
She added that while they avoided squatting for long periods, she still enjoyed weeding and planting vegetables.
Also participating in the event was lecturer Lim Pheak Choon, 43, who joined the walk with her 12-year-old son Wen Hao Yu.
“It’s our first time doing this together. I wanted to show him the importance of supporting charitable causes,” she said.
The event drew around 1,400 participants for the 2km and 5km fun runs and included a vibrant community carnival.
Proceeds from the event will support the Methodist Crisis Relief and Development (MCRD), which provides humanitarian aid in Malaysia and abroad.
Methodist Church in Malaysia general conference secretary and event organising chairperson Daniel Khoo said the celebration was both a tribute to the church’s legacy and a commitment to continued service.
“As we mark 140 years of the Methodist Church in Malaysia, we reaffirm our mission to care for the community and respond to humanitarian needs.”
He noted MCRD had supported flood victims and displaced communities in Malaysia and abroad, most recently raising RM400,000 for Myanmar, of which RM100,000 was allocated for emergency relief while the remainder dedicated to recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Guest-of-honour Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said the government had recently introduced a RM1,000 tax exemption for sports-related expenses, including gym memberships.
“It’s aimed at encouraging Malaysians of all ages to lead active, healthy lives,” she said.
