The second Kuching Heritage Race in Sarawak’s capital city on February 25 raised RM40,000 (US$8,992) for charitable causes and projects benefitting the community.
The race was initially slated for January 14, but was postponed as a token of respect for the late Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Adenan Satem.
Long challenge: Picking out targets with the blowpipe
The rain on the race morning did not dampen the spirit and enthusiasm of the 239 participants (47 teams) who had to complete tasks and activities from 16 stations dotted throughout the Padungan area and Kampung Boyan.
This year the organisers included 12 ‘brainy quizzes’ to challenge the knowledge of participants such as figuring out the origin of the word ‘petanak’ (a flowering tree) and revealing the date of legalisation of the use of opium in Sarawak (reportedly around July 1924).
The participants were a colourful crowd, from all walks of life with ages ranging from the very young (youngest is aged 7) to the experienced and matured, including some tourists visiting Kuching.
The winner – Team SEB 3 – with Jason Brooke (extreme left in white shirt) from the Brooke Gallery
The winner was Team SEB 3, who generously donated RM400 from the prize money of RM1,000. The first runner-up was Frape 2.0 (last year’s winner) while Team BA, Batang Ai, took the third prize.
The best ‘Team Spirit’ prize went to STB 3 (Comms 3), ‘Best Dressed’ was Team Heritage Hares 2, and the ‘Most Social’ team (with the most social media posts) was Sagacious 6.
During the prize giving ceremony a mosaic, made up of 80 pieces individually painted by the corporate and private sponsors, was unveiled. The organisers said they would find a suitable home for this collaborative artwork.
So happy they crossed the Sarawak river in the ‘bot tambang’ (river taxi)
Of the RM40,000 raised, RM20,000 went towards the renovation and restoration of Segu Bungalow, and RM10,000 were donated to charitable organisations including the Ten-ringgit Club in Miri and Heart Treasures in Kuching.
The donations were made possible by the event sponsors – Sarawak Energy Board, Sarawak Tourism Board, Sarawak Conventional Bureau, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Saradise, Borneo Adventure and CMS.
Race volunteer Jesse, model of patience, as participants try to identity his traditional tattoos
Philip Yong, the race’s organising chairman and managing director of Borneo Adventure, said the 2018 Kuching Heritage Race would be held on January 28.
“We will shortly start work on next year’s Heritage Race, and aim to build on the success. Last year we had 156 participants, this year 239 and next year we are targeting 400,” he said.
“We should not forget one of the primary objectives of this race is to inculcate a love and appreciation for Kuching, so that we may be better ambassadors for our city. Come join us for the Kuching Race 2018.”
Feedback from the race participants showed the event had a 90% approval rating, and over 90% of them indicated they would like to join next year’s race.
• All images credit: Kuching Heritage Race
