MELAKA: A groom here decided to please his bride, an avid runner, by agreeing to participate in a charity run to mark their nuptials.
Oil and Gas IT specialist Cho Kar Khuien, 32, and wife Lim Chiu Sia, 32, were among participants of the ‘Giving is Living Charity Run 2017’ at Taman Kota Laksamana Jaya here on Sunday.
Despite the damp and slightly chilly weather following light rain, the couple, clad in wedding dress and tuxedo shirt, ran some 6km together, accompanied by 17 friends clad in colourful pom pom skirts, to create a memorable wedding experience.
“My wife loves running. So when she suggested that we run in our wedding attire, I agreed to do so, although I’m not as active a runner as she is.
“Although I was a bit shy and thought it was attention-seeking, I wanted to do it for her, as it would be a special occasion. It will create a memorable day for us,” he said, adding that he wanted to make his wife happy.
Cho, who prefers to stay indoors doing programming and IT-related activities, said he had gained a light interest in running because of his new bride.
“I am drawn to running because of my wife. She encouraged me to run and I decided to follow suit. I have even participated in a half-marathon,” said Cho, originally from Perak.
Several other participants were delighted at spotting the couple, and were seen expressing well wishes and posing for photographs with the newlyweds at the venue.
Among the well-wishers was Klebang assemblyman Datuk Lim Ban Hong, who was present to flag-off the event.
The couple met four years ago through an acquaintance before their romance blossomed. They registered their marriage in Australia on June 25 last year.
Meanwhile, Chiu Sia said the idea to run in wedding garments came from her running buddy, Tay Kow Seng, 68, from the Melaka Skyhawk Marathon club.
“I must thank Tay for his excellent idea. I am really happy to create a meaningful occasion with my husband and friends.
“Not only did we get to enjoy a fun run to mark our marriage, we also got to do charity at the same time,” she said.
Lim, from Melaka, also thanked her club members, who donned pom pom dresses and flower headbands, for successfully completing the 6km run which began at 6.30am, in just 50 minutes.
“Initially, we registered for 12km, but we decided to reduce it to 6km, as we thought it may be a bit difficult for us to run in costumes,” she said.
The couple held a wedding ceremony on Saturday night with friends and family members.
Meanwhile, Tay, a professional runner, said he suggested the idea to create a light-hearted event that would include the bride’s running chums.
“I thought that having open-minded male members who would not mind wearing skirts and floral headbands would be added fun,” he said.
The charity run was organised by Affin Hwang Asset Management Bhd and Chee Siah Le Kee & Partners to raise funds for local charities, including for the disabled, the environment and animal welfare.