KUALA LANGAT: The sound of the air horn broke the early Sunday morning silence at Eco Sanctuary in Kota Kemuning as cyclists were flagged off for the New Straits Times (NST) C-Cycle Challenge 2018.
Almost 1,200 cyclists are taking part in the challenge which include a Fun Ride and a race category, Century Ride.
They comprised amateur and professionals, including many captains of industry who are cycling enthusiasts.
The more than 400 riders in the Century Ride started their race from the EcoWorld Sales Gallery @ Persiaran Eco Sanctuary at 7.30am.
The remaining riders in the Fun Ride category were flagged off 15 minutes later.
Besides Malaysians, the participants comprised those from the neigbouring countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore; as well as Norway, Germany and the United States.
Some of the participants turned up at the venue as early as 4.30am.
Among the early birds were Enfiniti Vision Media Sdn Bhd chief executive officer (CEO) Engku Emran Engku Zainal Abidin, former National Motor Racing champion Oh Ka Beng, blogger Datuk Ahirudin Attan, and Social Security Organisation (Socso) deputy chief executive (corporate) Datin Azlaily Abd Rahman.
The C-Cycle Challenge is organised by the New Straits Times in partnership with property developer Eco World Malaysia and Treknology as product sponsors.
A total of RM37,700 in prize money are up for grabs.
There are four categories — Men’s Open (18-39 years old), Women’s Open (18 and above), Men’s Senior Open (40 and above) and Team Cycling Open, a line-up that comprises a minimum of six riders from the above categories.
The Fun Ride features two categories — Corporate Senior Open, which is open to corporate senior management by invitation and Open category, which is open to all participants.
The race was flagged off by New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd (NSTP) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Abdul Jalil Hamid, Eco World Foundation chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Eco World Development Group Bhd chief operating officer Datuk Sundarajoo Somu; Eco World Development Group Bhd divisional general manager Ho Kwee Hong; NSTP chief commercial officer Alfian Abu Talib; and NST executive editor Muzli Mohd Zin.
Reports by: Masriwanie Muhamading, Dawn Chan, Aliza Shah, and Beatrice Nita Jay