By NAVEEN MATHEW MENON | streets@mediaprima.com.my

SERDANG: ABDUL Aziz Mahamoud ran the final stretch  with both arms raised in anticipated victory knowing fully well he would be the first to cross the finish line.  Despite bagging first place, there was, however, no trophy or  cash prize awaiting him.

Instead, what made it special for him was the knowledge that, like the other runners too, the 5km Mines Charity Run on June 2 was to raise funds for the less fortunate.

With this goal clear in mind, runners gathered as early as 6am at the Mines Square behind Mines Shopping Mall to get set for the 7.30am flag-off.

The annual run was divided into two categories -- the Men's Open and Women's Open -- for participants aged 13 and above. Each runner had to fork out RM35 to enter the run themed Together We Run For A Better Future.

CapitaMalls Malaysia Trust general manager Fern Tan thanked the crowd on behalf of the management of The Mines Shopping Mall for their support and enthusiasm shown for the event.

Serdang Assistant Commissioner of Police Abdul Razak Elias gave a short speech before the runners warmed up by taking part in a fun and exhilarating aerobic exercise session led by Celebrity Fitness instructors.

According to Tan, last year's Mines Charity Run drew 500 runners raising RM26,500 for Rumah Charis.

She said: "Today, over a thousand runners took part and together with the support of the community, we managed to raise RM33,880 which will be channeled to Rumah Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Cornerstone Selangor, a child protection home which looks after 25 children aged between four and 17.

"Besides the money raised, the home will also receive 10 computer tablets worth a total of RM11,900 sponsored by Toshiba," she added.

Alan Cheong, centre manager of The Mines Shopping Mall, said that the charity run was their way of giving back to the community and it was exciting to see people from all walks of life join in to raise funds for the less fortunate.

Abdul Aziz, an employee of the Employees Provident Fund, said, "I regularly take part in various runs because I enjoy running and it helps me maintain a healthy lifestyle.

"I am overjoyed that I was the first to cross the finish line. This run is yet another stepping stone for me to prepare myself mentally and physically for the Standard Chartered KL Marathon on June 30.

"Some of the other runs that I have taken part in were the Multipurpose Insurance Run on May 26 where I emerged champion, the recent Ekiden Relay Run in Putrajaya where I bagged second place and the 10km 2012 Penang Bridge Run on Nov 18 where I took eighth place," said Aziz.

"I train at the MSN Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesdays and Thursdays for two hours each session. Running gives me a sense of freedom and accomplishment, keeps me fit and inculcates in me discipline. Taking part in all the interesting runs has also given me opportunities to make lots of new friends," he added.

Also running with a big smile plastered all over his face was the gregarious Soh Wai Ching who came in second. The 19-year-old Form 6 student of Sekolah Menengah Kepong loves running so much that he joined Pacemakers Malaysia so that he could take part in the fun activities organised by them.

"This marks the first time I have bagged a top three spot in a run. The biggest prize for me is giving back to the community and joining forces with others to raise funds for the needy and underprivileged," said Soh who came in fifth in the Men's Open of the Ekiden Relay Run in Putrajaya recently.

"As helping the less fortunate means so much to me, I signed up with www.peoplegiving.com.my where I pledged to participate in 10 different runs, including today's. This will go on from May 12 to July 7 and by the time I complete the 10th run, the public would have donated RM5,000 towards the 'Global Environment Centre', a non-governmental organisation dedicated to protecting our environment," he said.

England-educated Tan Chew Kwee, 34, was the first woman to cross the finish line in the Women's Open category. The fitness fanatic who lives in Bukit Tinggi, Klang, regularly runs 5km a day beginning 5am taking about half an hour before going to work.

"I'm surprised I came in first today," she said about her victory.

A mock cheque for RM33,880 was handed over to Angie Retnam, chairman of Persatuan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Cornerstone, Selangor. An inmate of the home, Jessintha Retnam, 8, staged a dance show for the audience, reflecting the children' appreciation to The Mines' management and the public for their generous support.

All the runners also tucked into free Starbuck's coffee, Milo drinks and enjoyed packets of nasi lemak sponsored by Toast Box.

Their goodie bags contained a certificate of participation as well as a token medal and shopping vouchers.

Runners queuing up for free Starbuck’s coffee after the run.

Read more: A deed for a good cause - Central - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/central/a-deed-for-a-good-cause-1.299615#ixzz2WScXI7zd