KUCHING: The Kuching Heritage Race returns for its eighth edition on Saturday (May 9) with a focus on exploring Sarawak's food heritage.
Organising chairman Dona Drury Wee said the "Culinary Quest" theme aligned with Kuching's status as a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy.
"Participants will navigate historic trails and complete challenges focused on Sarawak's culinary heritage," she said on Monday (May 4).
She said the race was an initiative by the Kuching Heritage Awareness Society (KHAS) to create awareness of the city's heritage, blending cultural education, tourism and community engagement.
Previous editions covered historic areas like Gambier Street, Main Bazaar, Padungan, Fort Margherita, Batu Kawa bazaar and Kampung Nombor, with challenges such as performing a lion dance and shooting a blowpipe.
"These are some areas which you think you know, but many people have actually not been down on the ground, going through these places and learning about local history," Wee said.
She said the race had become a highly-anticipated annual event, attracting local and international participation.
This year's race will feature 54 teams comprising 228 participants, including international heritage enthusiasts from Australia and Singapore.
Wee also said the race was a community-driven initiative to promote cultural preservation and support those in need.
She said all proceeds raised from the event will go towards underfunded educational and charitable organisations, with this year's beneficiaries comprising Persatuan Pendidikan D'wira, Society for Kuching Urban Poor, Kuching Food Aid and SMK Matang Jaya.
"We have raised RM200,000 for charitable causes in the previous seven races," KHAS president Philip Yong said.
This year's edition will be flagged off at the Kuching South City Council compound at 8am.
Moving forward, the race committee hopes to establish it on the Sarawak calendar of events to boost local tourism.
