Rat Race 2011 raises RM1.9 million

Running for a good cause to help people in need is what 75 captains of industry and 150 teams of five runners each representing 88 local and foreign private and public-listed companies did recently in Kuala Lumpur’s main business district at The Edge-Bursa Malaysia for the Kuala Lumpur Rat Race 2011.

Paticipants of the Kuala Lumpur Rat Race 2011 running for a good cause.

Thanks to their amazing effort, they raised a whopping RM1.9 million, the biggest amount raised since the first race in 2000. The sum collected will be channelled to 20 selected charitable organisations in the country.

“The race is unique because participants run in office attire on the streets in the city during the rush hour. It is more about doing our share to help those less fortunate than just about winning the race,” said Ms. Dorothy Teoh, editor-in-chief of The Edge and adviser of the Kuala Lumpur Rat Race 2011.

“Since the first race in 2000, a total of RM13.1 million had been raised which benefitted 150 charitable organizations. We hit a record of  RM1,918,000 this year which show that the Rat Race has been embraced by corporations eager to play their part in the community.”

The annual event provides a platform for executives and corporations to fulfill their corporate social responsibilities (CSR) as good corporate citizens. It also provides the opportunity for employees from different companies and industries to get together and let their hair down for a day for a good cause.

Dato’ Tajuddin Atan, CEO ofBursaMalaysiasaid: “Our listed companies have embraced corporate sustainability as a key element deserving top level attention from a strategic viewpoint.

“We adopt a holistic view in our sustainability initiatives in implementing the four key pillars of our CSR framework, which are the workplace, environment, marketplace and the community. In fact, this Rat Race is unique in the sense that it crystallizes all the four tenets of the CSR framework.”

The run kicked off with the 1km CEO Race at 5.00pm sharp and fifteen minutes later followed by the 4.5km main race. Participants ran in their office attire or dressed in costumes relevant to their nature of business and some were seen carrying gadgets like mobile phones, PDAs, briefcases and notebooks.

Chairman ofBursaMalaysia, Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin Hj Abdullah flagged off the runners who started from the grounds ofBursaMalaysiawhich was transformed into a big party playground creating a carnival-like atmosphere with the Rat Race runners, cheering squads, colourful pom-poms girls and supporters with painted faces having a fun time and merriment.

The carnival offered plenty of exciting attractions for everyone like archery, gladiator joust, archery, penalty football kick, rocky mountain and bungee run. On the stage, the crowd was enthralled by cheerleading teams showcasing their skill and ability by dancing and performing many stunts.

Not to be outdone, four lion dance troupes accompanied by a smiling face little “Buddha” thrilled the crowd with their vigorous and energetic routine to the beat of loud drums.

Then there was a kompang group beating their kompang with bare hands wowing the crowd with their dynamics off-beat rhythms.

Awards were presented to the company which sent in the most number of teams, the three fastest teams, top three male and female runners from each Open, Mixed and Senior categories, top three male and female CEOs, top three Best Dressed Teams, Best Dressed CEO and Most Senior Runner.

Among the 20 recipients for this year’s entire proceeds from the Race were Divine Mercy Boys’ Home, National Kidney Foundation, House of Hope, Persatuan Kebajikan Anak-Anak Yatim Nurul Ihsan, Kg.Talang in Sungai Siput, Pusat Jagaan Orang Tua Jireh and Rumah Anak Kesayanganku.