Ni Jia gears up for SEA Games with fine finish at Heritage Run

PETALING JAYA: National runner Yeow Ni Jia’s preparation for the Thailand SEA Games is going well after he finished third at the Alliance Bank Heritage Run in Penang on Sunday.

Ni Jia clocked a time of 1’15:10s in the half-marathon distance, which saw him finish third overall and second in the Malaysian Open.

Kenya’s David Kibet crossed the line in first place, followed by Ow Yong Jin Kuang.

The race, which was held for the third time, saw a huge turnout of 5,500 participants – its biggest number of runners yet.

Part of the big turnout was the introduction of the 21km half-marathon distance, which offered seasoned runners a new challenge.

Alliance Bank group chief executive officer Kelle Kam said it was exciting to witness the running community coming together.

“The Heritage Run is a testament to our dedication to building a more connected community and promoting sustainable living,’’ he said.

“Through this event, we not only honour the rich cultural heritage of George Town, but also inspire collective action to preserve its legacy for generations to come.”

In the women’s 21km half-marathon category, Ong Ee Ling took the race win followed by Wong Mi Chi and Yee Pei Ni in second and third.

Sustainability continued to be the heart of the Heritage Run as race essentials were designed to minimise environmental impact with lanyards made from recycled plastic, medals from sustainably sourced bamboo, and exclusive T-shirts crafted from recycled polyester.