BY Fadhil Yunus

Hulubalang Asgar Abdul Malik bin Hidup emerged champion in the men’s 20 kilometres (km) open category of the Brunei Run 2022 held in conjunction with World Heart Day, at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien in the capital on Sunday.

The local runner clocked a time of 1:14:26s to beat favourite Mohamad Khairul Anuar bin Ramli, who settled for a runners-up finish with a time of 1:14:55s.

The country’s newcomer Amirul Hamdi Jamli completed the podium in third place with a time of 1:15:19s.

“I have just started running recently. The last time I’ve joined a competition in the country was the Borneo Run last month,” Abdul Malik told the Bulletin.

Meanwhile, Siti Nur Hafizatul Shazana binti Hamiroldzam finished first in the women’s 20km open category after posting a time of 1:44:00s followed by Nurul Mahirah Miramaid with a time of 1:46:11s and Sajidah Mohiedin with a time of 1:48:53.

The 20km run was held to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Gleneagles JPMC on July 15, 2002.

The Brunei Run 2022 was organised by the Health Promotion Centre, Ministry of Health in collaboration with Gleneagles JPMC.

Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar was the guest of honour.

Also present were Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid, Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha, and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad.

Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham also toured the health exhibitions and activities at the event, including a demonstration on emergency assistance and family activities implemented by fitness programme centres Workplace and Health (WAH) and Happy Environment and Lifestyle (HEAL), Demensia Brunei, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) and Dynamic Sports. The Minister of Health also participated in a 5km fun run.

The event also supports the BN on the Move: 20 Billion Steps Together initiative which commenced on October 1 until the end of the year.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin