A TRAIL RUN WITH ORANG ASLI 2011

Organiser:
Run With Orang Asli Support Group

Venue:
Kg Batu 16, Jalan Bentong Lama, Gombak

Date : 3 April 2011 (Sunday)
Time : 8.00am


We runners share a heritage; we share a history, to run through the forest, the ferns, and the trail. What about sharing this trail with the original folks of the forest? And share some charity too.


Would you like to run with Orang Asli?
Some of us felt it was time we got together to do something worthwhile while enjoying an awesome run. So we came up with the concept: Run with the Orang Asli – The Trail Run. It’s a project where we map out a trail run into the secondary jungle to appreciate mother nature whilst adding value by helping out the indigenious people of our country. A Trail Run into the fringes of flora at Jalan Bentong Lama. And in tune with keeping it back to nature, this trail run is void of any commercialism (yes!! No corporate sponsorship and barring any pompous officials).

Here is what the people who spawned this idea have to say.

Karen Loh:
So why Run for OA? Perhaps we runners can assist the OA in our own way, with a little assistance to ease their struggle into society's routines whilst respecting their choice of lifestyle, honour their unique culture, their boundaries and most of all their privacy.

My recent runs have always been motivated by raising awareness for the plight of our Orang Asli. The tag "Running For Orang Asli" started in Shape Run 2010 and has since been well spotted during various runs. Even when I'm not running, many running friends have volunteered to run for Orang Asli.

Why build awareness? It’s a simple assumption that the Government grants the Orang Asli subsidies and some are given allowances? But what am I to think when I see NO electricity NOR running water in the villages I've visited? Or how should we feel when someone takes toll money through an oil palm estate to enter into their village? Where is the justice when the sad remaining plots of their customary land have been pushed by hungry agri-estates into the fringes of forest and road?” “ I have seen little ones going to school without school shoes and wearing the same uniform for 3-4 years in a row . Try thinking why so many drop-outs at secondary level, having believed that school fees were free...not.


Dzul Aminuddin (some know me as Barefootdzul!):
Karen's cause morphed into this Run via my initial idea of a nature trail run for charity. We often run in corporate-managed events which raise charity but wouldn't it be awesome to have a more intimate connection from us runners? No corporates, no sponsorships, no unrelated officials. A true bandit runs for bandits! And run WITH the Orang Asli."

Having consulted the Orang Asli Outreach Learning Center Project, and sought permission from the Village Elder, we’ve been able to recce a trail and a small group of pre-run volunteers the likes of Julie Wong, Irwan Anuar and Azhar Elmiza Ahmad will trek the trail conditions and mark the route. We are confident that the trail will provide fair adventure, fresh forest air and fun for the family on the day. And most importantly, in the spirit of "Born to Run", we are hoping some of the Temuan tribe will run with us, thus adding new runner friends to our ever-widening circle of like-minded freedom runners."


Julie Wong
As a trained Community Organiser/Facilitator, I am also exposed to the plight of the indigenious people who has always been sidelined or neglected. As I am very occupied with the many issues in urban areas, this is the least I could do to lend a helping hand. The passion shown by Karen has definitely touched my heart. Hopefully this run will create an awareness on the livelihood of the Orang Asli and let us not judge them for what they choose to be as we shall never impose our value onto others.


Irwan Annuar
Working with this group, has enlightened me on a number of issues for the orang asli villages. Getting involved mapping out the route was most exciting as it was a terrain that I can see all runners would enjoy. And best of all it’s only a 15 minute drive from the Universiti Islam Antarabangsa at Gombak - though urban fringe but delightfully pristine enough to feel in the wild.

What does your contribution and time go to?

1. To raise diesel funds for the Orang Asli village Kg Batu 16 of Jalan Bentong Lama – they have no electricity and generators run at night can cost more than RM8 per night.
   


2. To raise RM500 for Rahman (a welfare volunteer from Orang Asli village Kg Batu 12 Jalan Bentong Lama) who is building a traditional visiting hall for visitors and he is bearing the cost himself.
   


3. To raise funds for single mothers in the Orang Asli village Kg batu 12 and for the Kg Batu 16, Jalan Bentong Lama.
   


4. Awareness of the environment and the situation of some orang asli villages.
   


5. Opportunity to interact with the orang asli and make new friends.
   


6. Appreciation and conservation of our indigenous people’s culture and our mother nature.

2011 Run With Orang Asli – More Details:

Entry Fee - Entry Fee for all categories is not refundable.Note: An additional RM3 convenience fee will be charged for online registration

Since the event has no sponsor, a small portion of the fees will be used for logistic and admin costs such as first aiders, drinks, OA volunteers stationed in the forest, etc. The rest of the fees will be equally distributed per the details on the contribution above

Additional non-obligatory, non-cash contributions are welcome. Below is a guide on required items:

Note for participants

This unique run will involves running in a special jungle trail cleared by a group of Orang Asli. The trail is around their neighborhood and it is a safe environment.

• Throughout the path, runners will pass three small rivers for crossing. It is advisable for runners to use old running shoes or ol’skool rubber boots (aka ‘adidas Kampung’) for this event.
  
• The water station is set-up at the starting point and one loop will be approximately 7km. There is no plan to have a water station in the jungle trail. Runners are advised to carry small bottles, or a hydration pack.
  
• Insect repellant is advisable.
  
• Wearing long sleeves and long pants may help avoid scratches and insects. Garden gloves are useful.
  
• There is a nice river, suitable for a dip. Perhaps you might want to bring your bathing suits along.
  
• There are limited parking spots at the area. The organizer requests your cooperation to car pool. Since most of the runners are from KL, we suggest runners to park their car at the vicinity of a) Petronas Sri Hartamas, b) Bukit Aman Car Park or c) Padang Astaka
  From there, you can join other runners’ cars to go to the destination.

Health advisory - Participants with cardiological history are advice to consult your doctor prior registration.

Registration - The organizer reserved the right to reject any entry for any category when the number of participants meet or exceed our target, or any other reasons without notice.

Waiver Clause
In consideration of the Organizer accepting this entry, and registration to participate in the above Run I hereby waive and release any and all right or claims to damages I may against the Organizers holding this Run, their agents, representatives, successors, assigns, race sponsors for any and all injuries, death and invalidity I may sustain before, during or after the course of the event or arising as a result of it. I hereby, indemnify the Organizers and keep them indemnified and waived against all claims or damages that arise in consequence of the above.

Online Registration : www.themarathonshop.com.my

Enquiries : 012-3543976 / 010-4279584