Cancer Research Malaysia (CRMY) brought the Terry Fox Run to a brand new location this year at IOI Putrajaya! And what a turnout it was. Nearly 3,000 participants showed up, with some eager runners arriving as early as 6 a.m., ready to lace up and “Finish It”  the bold slogan printed across this year’s iconic black T-shirt (with Terry’s face proudly featured on the back, of course).

Hosting the event was none other than Terry Ong from Lite FM, whose wit and humour brought the morning to life. Fun fact: Terry isn’t just an emcee, he’s also a past Terry Fox runner himself.

“I wanted to do something, even if it was small, to remember those I’ve lost to cancer.  We’ve all been touched by cancer in one way or another and events like this remind us why organisations like Cancer Research Malaysia matter,” he said.

Before the 5km run (or walk… or light jog for some of us), High Commissioner of Canada to Malaysia, Her Excellency Jodi Robinson gave a short and sweet welcome speech, followed by our volunteer gym bunnies from Believe Fitness who kicked off the morning with a lively warm-up session that got everyone moving and grooving. Then came the moment everyone was waiting for, the flag-off!

Taking the honours were Her Excellency Jodi Robinson, High Commissioner of Canada to Malaysia; Andy Khoo, CRMY’s Chief Executive Officer; Professor Dr Cheong Sok Ching, Chief Scientific Officer; Wong Lup Hang, CRMY Board of Trustee; and Wilfred Wong, Assistant General Manager of IOI City Mall.

Once the horn sounded, the sea of runners took off. Some sprinting, some strolling, and some carrying their kids on their shoulders. But one thing everyone had in common? Their phones were out, capturing every moment of the experience.

For Her Excellency Jodi Robinson, this marks the second Terry Fox Run with CRMY.

“The energy has been fantastic. I’m so touched by how many Malaysians understand what the Terry Fox Run stands for. It’s not just for Canadians but for 45 years, it has transcended borders, people and cultures. It’s about fighting cancer for our family, friends and colleagues,” said Robinson.

Also volunteering behind the scenes was Arif Azhari, a Junior IT Executive who had just joined CRMY a month ago. Experiencing his first charity run, Arif said, “seeing 3,000 people show up gave me hope that humanity still cares. The willingness to contribute is what makes this event special. It reminds us that kindness still exists.”

As the runners crossed the finish line, they were greeted with smiles, water bottles, and of course, goodie bags. Because, let’s be honest, Malaysians love a good freebie. Participants also dropped by the merchandise booth, where donations earned them lapel pins, umbrellas, or mugs. A small token for a big cause.

Over at the kids’ corner, little ones kept busy with colouring activities… though we spotted a few grown-ups joining in too (no shame, no judgement here. Colouring is therapeutic!).

By late morning, runners were sprawled across the open space in front of the mall. Catching their breath, checking out their goodie bags, and grabbing snacks while sharing stories and selfies. Believe Fitness returned for a cool-down session, and while energy levels were definitely lower, the spirit was still high.

Closing the event was a lively performance by Seniors Aloud, proving once again that age is just a number. These inspiring seniors showed everyone that you’re never too old to dance, smile, or make a difference and thankfully, no hips were harmed in the making of that performance!

And that’s a wrap on Terry Fox Run Putrajaya 2025. To everyone who ran, walked, volunteered, or cheered, thank you for keeping Terry’s dream alive. See you next year… same spirit, new stories.

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