KUCHING: More than 2,000 runners participated in the Bunny Autism Run organised by the Kuching Autistic Association (KAA) held at the compound of Kuching South City Council (MBKS), yesterday (April 30).
Of the number, about 70 registered runners are children, teenagers and adults with autism who participated in the run together with their family members and friends.
The runners arrived as early as 6 am and participated in aerodance prior to the flag-off.
Opar assemblyman Billy Sujang was present to flag off the 5km and 3km run.
One of the participants, Teoh Jen Chian, 43, who accompanied her 13-year-old son Lucas Liew, said she was happy to take part in the run with her son and hoped for a similar event to be held again next year.
Meanwhile, sixty-year-old Wong See Yin said the event is well organised and received encouraging responses from the public.
“It goes to show that the public is very supportive and we enjoyed ourselves throughout the event.
“The public in general needs to be more aware of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and should be as inclusive as possible.
“This event is good to raise awareness and to remove the perception about autism. Hopefully, in the long run it can help reduce the stigma,” said Wong, who was accompanying his 28-year-old son, Ian Wong.
The main sponsor of the run was 38 Yayasan Amal Cinta. Other sponsors include Lee Onn Construction Sdn Bhd, I-Metal Sdn Bhd, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), Tektonic and Sons Sdn Bhd, Hong Seng Construction Sdn Bhd, Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) and others.
The event was also supported by City Joggers Club, Jobstock, Ticket2U, The Spring Kuching and the Malaysian Red Crescent Society Kuching branch.
