Students gear up for PJ Half

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FOR secondary school students busy studying for year-end examinations, sports provide an avenue for them to relax and release stress.

SMK Kelana Jaya in Petaling Jaya will be sending more than 200 Form 1 to Form 5 students to participate in the PJ Half Marathon 3km Fun Run this weekend.

“We always encourage our students to take part in runs to have fun and also to socialise with people from outside the school. They study very hard, especially the Form 4 and Form 5 students, so the run helps them relax,” said co-curriculum senior assistant Woo Kean Lean.

Woo said the starting point of the race — Kelana Jaya stadium — was considered their home turf so there was even more reason for them to participate.

Joining in: About 200 SMK Kelana Jaya students will be taking part in the PJ Half Marathon.

“Sports has always been big in our school and we’re even getting the teachers and their family members to join,” she said.

Meanwhile, SMK (P) Sri Aman will be sending about 50 Form 3 students who have just completed their PMR examinations.

“The students have always been very active outside the classroom. They are also into environmental issues.

“We’re always trying to create awareness for the students so the green theme of the run fits in well,” said co-curriculum senior assistant Dr L.H. Teh.

Long-distance runner Elyza Amira, 15, said that she has participated in cross-country runs but the PJ Half will be her first time in a big race.

“My brother is running the 10km so I’m going to join the Fun Run with my schoolmates,” said Elyza.

Students from Taylor’s University’s School of Computing and IT will also be joining the 3km Fun Run.

School of Computing and IT lecturer Wong Yoke Seng, 32, said that he had previously run in 10km races and thought the 3km race would be a good start for some of his students who have not joined runs before.

More than 50 local and international students from the computing school will be joining the race.

“Some of our international students are actually very interested but they were not aware that the race will be taking place,” said Wong.

Student Amoor Abdullah from Saudi Arabia, 26, said that it was his first time in a run and he will be participating with his friend Mohammad Yahya, 21.

“I only run occasionally so it will be interesting to see how it turns out,” said Amoor with a laugh.

IT student Teoh Kak Gee, 21, was one of the few ladies in the group who will be joining.

“It’s my first time taking part in an actual run so I’m really looking forward to it,” said Teoh.