“MY darling, we made it!” With those words, retired civil engineer Lim Shyang Guey brought an emotional end to an 86-day journey.
It began as a promise to his late wife and ended with a total RM775,486 raised for children battling cancer.
Better known as SG Lim, the 67-year-old brought his near 2,400km journey around Peninsular Malaysia to a close when he crossed the finish line at Penang Free School in George Town at about 5pm on June 21.
The distance exceeded his original estimate of 2,200km.
Joined by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Old Frees’ Association (OFA) alumni, close friends, family members and runners, Lim completed two celebratory laps around the school field after arriving at his alma mater.
Many of the runners had accompanied him during the final 81.3km-long leg around Penang island, which began at 1am and took him through Teluk Bahang, Balik Pulau, Sungai Rusa, Batu Maung, Jelutong and George Town before returning to the school.
For Lim, however, the finish line represented far more than the end of a physical challenge but the fulfilment of a wish he had made with his late wife.
“We had wanted to travel around Malaysia together.
“I can feel she was there with me all along,” he said after the run.
Lim began the run on March 28, the cherished date that he married homemaker Goh Joo Lee.
She died of gallbladder cancer in 2024 at the age of 63.
After her passing, Lim resolved to fulfil that dream alone while turning it into a fundraising campaign for children with cancer.
Throughout the three-month journey, reminders of his late wife kept him going, especially through a 46km stretch in Johor when an unexpected detour brought him through Pekan Nanas.
Along the route, he spotted a signboard bearing the name “Joo Lee” in English and matching Chinese characters, the exact spelling of his wife’s name.
“Seeing her name gave me the strength to complete the run that day.”
A photo of his late wife, attached to a lanyard around his neck, remained by Lim’s side throughout.
Between overnight stops, Lim typically covered between 25km and 50km a day.
According to ZeroSixZero, a platform designed to track ultra-endurance athletes, Lim logged 2,389.5km throughout the challenge.
The GPS trail showed a largely clockwise route around the peninsula coastline before returning home to Penang.
Lim said the experience had strengthened his faith in the kindness and generosity of Malaysians.
“One of the things that stood out most was the friendship of the people I met throughout all the states,” he said.
“Even people in rural areas, who may not have much, still donated whatever they could.
“Others paid for my meals, while many woke up as early as 4.30am just to run with me,” he added.
Despite battling fatigue, Lim said he never lost sight of the purpose behind the challenge.
“I persevered because I had a purpose, and that was to help children suffering from cancer.”
Lim said his own hardship was insignificant compared with what cancer patients and their families endure.
“I know how difficult it is because I was a caregiver for my wife.
“If I can help save a child’s life, I am also helping the parents,” he said.
Known as “Run For Gold”, it was named after the gold ribbon, the international symbol for childhood cancer awareness.
Although the run has ended, Lim hopes support for the cause will continue.
He requested that donations remain open until Aug 24, the anniversary of his wife’s passing.
National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) managing director Dr M. Murallitharan said the RM715,486 raised had exceeded expectations.
As part of NCSM’s 60th anniversary celebrations, the organisation had initially set a fundraising target of RM600,000.
Dr Murallitharan described the achievement as a reflection of Lim’s dedication and sacrifice throughout the journey.
Chow described Lim’s achievement as a testament to discipline, perseverance and purpose.
“Every kilometre he ran carried a message of hope for children battling cancer and for the families supporting them through some of life’s most difficult moments.”
Chow also allocated RM50,000 in addition to the amount NCSM had collected during the run.
Lim’s classmates from Class of ’75/77 contributed RM10,000.
To add to the symbolism of the journey, Lim completed the run just a day before his 67th birthday on June 22.
For more information, visit www.runforgold.my
