The Bursa Bull Charge 2016 Route Review #Run4Others

Before run, let's take a group photo first shall we? Credits to Max Lim from Runwitme for this pic =D

Hello there fellow readers, allow me to quote some of the info from The Bursa Bull Charge 2016 official website itself, "After its second successful run in 2015 the Bursa Bull Charge is back and charged up to renew its claim as the best capital market run in Malaysia.

Last year more than 1,800 runners charged through the streets of Kuala Lumpur and raised a total of RM1.8 Million for charities whose causes include economic sustainability among disadvantaged communities, support for entrepreneurs and the improvement of financial literacy.

This year the Bursa Bull Charge will flood the streets with even more runners, more die-hard supporters, more colour, more energy and more positive rivalry as the marketplace comes together to run for others in the name of fostering a sustainable and inclusive marketplace. The run will follow Kuala Lumpur’s Capital Market Trail, a route through the Central Business District that passes the headquarters of many Capital Market players in our community, a reminder of the sustainability of our marketplace"

The starting line for The Bursa Bull Charge 2016 - the iconic Bull & Bear statue...

Not so recently I had the opportunity to join the 5km route review for the Bursa Bull Charge with other Bursa Malaysia staffs and several other well known bloggers. I was so excited because I never run this part of Kuala Lumpur yet. Thank you so much to the organizer for the invite. 

Official apparel for the event - Thanks to Brooks Running Malaysia - Love the dark green colour!

Besides than 5KM Corporate and Future Leaders Challenge, there are also 1.5KM CEO and 2.5KM Corporate and Future Leaders Challenge Relay category. Each category has a different route.

I was not really feeling well on that Saturday morning, 27 August. A bit runny nose and sore throat but I still can run and walk hehee... Dragged myself out of bed and voila! Arrived there a bit late around 7.10 am and I missed the group pre-run photo hohohi... Sigh...

The 5km route... There will be an arch at every 1 km with lots of entertainment and cheerleading squads along the way

Since I did not really remember the exact route, I just took a wild guess and went with my runner instincts. Strolled along Jln Raja Chulan and off I go towards the first km... I think I missed the first incline at the usual route there... Yikes! My bad However I managed to keep up and join the rest of the group running along Jln Raja Chulan towards Jln Sultan Ismail. There were so many things to see along the way... Ambank Building, Wisma HLA, Affin Bank, Wisma Genting, MIDF Tower, Wisma Dion and Wisma KFC were among the financial institutions spotted in this route. Once we were running along Jln Ampang you will pass by AIA Tower and it's already 3km. Another 2km to go and I ran towards Dang Wangi LRT, Telekom Museum and took a small lane going up the final incline to St John's Institution. Such a historic red and white school building. Right before I knew it we were running towards the start/finish line in front of the Bursa Malaysia... Yayyy! 

Jom kita makan - makan dulu.... Thank you organizer for the scrumptious breakfast!

Once we finished our run, we were spoiled by the organizer with a hearty breakfast buffet. Nasi lemak ayam berempah, it's hard to say no, right? Plus a super sinful home baked chocolate moist cake with generous amount of caramel as the dessert. Normally i'm not a cake person but Marathon Baker's cake is totally irresistable! Hohohi... 

The sinful indulgence - a masterpiece by Zet Marathon Baker herself... Super Yumm!

 Right before we went back home, we took a group picture together. Overall it was a good route. Mostly flat with only two run able inclines just to spice things up and served as a challenge for the speedsters. The weather was great on that Saturday morning. Overcast and pretty windy especially after the route review run. The main concern is running in the bustling city around 3pm onwards will definitely be scorching hot! Expect some heat element along the route, maybe it will be raining too? Just be prepared and hydrate yourself well before, during and after run too. There will be four Water Stations along the route, including at the venue. ORS and isotonic drinks are important too you know. Some of the stretch will be closed until 4.30 pm, so no worries folks!  

Group photo with all the social media team bloggers and Ms. Zet - Thanks to Mr Ariff Syafik for the pics

Wajiblah group selfie Team Marathon Baker dengan the lady boss herself. Pic Credits to Mr Ariff Syafik

I am so looking forward to join this run along with other participants and #run4others, especially those who are in need. It's all for a good cause after all. Don't forget to have fun and soak in the ambiance. Super excited for my first 5KM fun run! Yayyyy see ya there... Let's Get Ready To Charge!  

P/S: For more info, please feel free to visit their website http://bullcharge.bursamarketplace.com and follow their Twitter @BursaMKTPLC and Instagram @bursamktplc too You can also read other bloggers' review on the route  #JomKitaLari HERE, Marlina's HERE and Miera's HERE... =D

HAND-ME-DOWN RUNNING TEES FOR THE DOWN-AND-OUT ~ A Community Project by ULTRON® #UltronCares

 ULTRON® has fast becoming a known performance sports wear brand that is worn by those who are actively cool and endorsed by sports institutions and praised by professional users from all disciplines, ULTRON® understands what is needed to be the best. #MicroDry #OfficialApparel #SupportLocal

Recently, ULTRON® launched HAND-ME-DOWN RUNNING TEE FOR THE DOWN-AND-OUT Initiative. #UltronCares is a community project that works with a group of dedicated volunteers to distribute pre-loved apparels to these less fortunate homeless person and those in need . As we all know clothing is a basic necessity to all of us. 

Physically, clothing serves many purposes: it can serve as protection from the elements. It protects the wearer from rough surfaces, rash-causing plants, insect bites, splinters, thorns and prickles by providing a barrier between the skin and the environment. Clothes can insulate against cold or hot conditions. Further, they can provide a hygienic barrier, keeping infectious and toxic materials away from the body. Clothing also provides protection from harmful UV radiation.

I was so grateful to be able to give some hand and involved in this distribution drive. With some other volunteers and the CEO and Founder of ULTRON® herself, Joanne Kay, we gathered in front of SeGI Collage, Jalan Hang Lekiu last Monday. 

They were already queueing up to receive their free meals from Happy Caring Hearts Crew around 10.30 pm P/S: The picture was purposely blurred to protect their identities

The volunteers were handing out some biscuits to these people... Bless your souls...

I managed to arrive there around 10.20pm and joined them. For the record, this was my first time joining this charity distribution drive. Mix of emotions running through my mind during that time. Excited, thrilled, nervous and moved... All jumbled up together. Just go with the flow, I guessed...

Furthermore, I intend to give all my pre-loved running apparel that I no longer wear and did not get the chance to wear it. After 5 years of joining more than 140++ events, there were some running tees & finisher tees that I would love to give away. However I did not know how or where to channel the donation. Hence the timing was just perfect with this community project. 

Joanne, Max Lim from Runwitme and other volunteers were sorting out the pre-loved clothes accordingly.

Once we gathered all the pre-loved running tees that we brought, we had to sort them out again according to the designated sizes, from S to XL. We had to to do it a bit far from the crowd first to avoid the chaotic or uncontrolled crowd. 

The crowd started to pour in one by one.

The volunteers were handing out the pre-loved running tees to them according to their sizes - Pic credits to Runwitme

Joanne was showing the right running tee size for the person that queued up

Once everything is ready, then it was time for the distribution. Each of the volunteers, 5 of us, was in charge of handing out the pre-loved apparel according to the sizes. Joanne personally distributed the S size tees while I gave the M size tees. Each person was allowed to take one t-shirt only. Some wanted to have a singlet or a long sleeves tee. They were queuing up nicely so that everybody could get his/her own sizes. Thankfully the drive went well. Smooth and silky.

Although some of them came back for the second round, we still gave it anyway. However we were running out of tees sizes especially for the late comers. Only S sized tees that were available. Felt so sorry we could not give the proper size anymore. 

Just look at the crowd during the Free Meal Charity & #UltronCares distribution drive - Courtesy of Runwitme

More than 100 pieces of running tees and vesst were being distributed on that very night. 

By looking at their happy faces upon receiving new under used running tees, it really touched my heart. It seemed that they really need it more than we do. That makes me started to count my blessings and never take things for granted from now on.

Jess from Happy Caring Hearts Crew was sharing with the #UltronCares volunteers about her experience & programmes

They slept on the piece of cardboard as their mattress every night. Therefore they never had sufficient amount of clothes due to theft. That's the clothes that will protect them from the cold rainy days and night. 

I could see some of the under privileged people wear their new running tees immediately after receiving them. That showed how importance was the pre-loved running apparels to them. Fresh clean clothes were luxury enough for them. 

For those runners who would love to contribute and donate your unwanted pre-loved apparels, you could do so by bringing it to ULTRON® retail outlet in NU Sentral, Kuala Lumpur or you could join #UltronCares to be one of the volunteers during the distribution drive. Come and experience it yourself. Your contribution meant the whole world for these people in need. Come and support this initiative for a good cause. On a brighter side, you could clear up some space from your wardrobe too.

#UltronCares initiative will be held once a month. For more details and latest announcement, do follow ULTRON® Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Oh before I sign off, here's a THANK YOU message from Joanne: 

"A project close to my heart.

I believe I can only reach out so much as 1 person. But by putting my beliefs into a brand, the voice is amplified. Humanitarian advocacy at its best when you do it TOGETHER. 

Also, I have always made a personal vow to give back to the community or help the under-privilege when I am able where possible. This is my promise. 

Tonight, under the #UltronCares initiative, I will be personally handing out these preloved clothing donated by the public to our @ultron.co NU Sentral store to the homeless on the streets.

Thank you to those who contributed your preloved clothes, it would mean alot to those in need. To those who are able to spare sometime tonight at 10pm, do join us at Jalan Hang Lekiu for the distribution drive. 

We would be doing this once every month, so if you are unable to join this around, there is always next month. However you would need to look out for the announcement on the dates"

Check out this article by Fiona @ Modern Mavens about #UltronCares HERE. It was indeed a great write-up  to refer to.