SJKC Shin Cheng (Harcroft) Merentas Desa

 

Raising awareness through running events

School holds cross country run as an educational tool to hone students' awareness on managing skills in cross country events

Puchong: On Friday, 25th April 2025, SJKC Shin Cheng (Harcroft) held a cross country race for all Year 4, 5 and 6 students from 7:30am to 10:30am. The event involved a 1.5km race course that wind its way around the school premises.

Runners were flagged off by the members of Harcroft's Board of Directors. A series of ten checkpoints were manned by teachers to guide the students during the run. The weather was cool and bright that morning, allowing students to complete the course without any difficulties. The Year 5 students were flagged off first, followed by Year 4 and Year 6 students. The event was witnessed by Dr. Kow Cheong Wei, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SJKC Shin Cheng (Harcroft), who took time off to oversee the run.

Dr Kow pointed out that cross-country running is a learning process that enhances the awareness of crisis, and that not only is it necessary to pay attention to safety, but also to know how to get rid of runners without getting hurt and strive for a good result. 

"Today's cross-country runs organized by schools within the city limits are no longer the traditional race events through the forest and through the mud," he said.

“Today, cross-country running routes in urban schools are mostly located on asphalt roads, and the concept and mindset of cross-country has changed. Hence, for students, understanding the meaning behind the event still has its positive effects and significant results," Dr Kow added, saying that as urbanization grows, more roads are used for cross country events and major marathons across the world. As such, he opined that runners must adapt to the challenges of running in urban areas, and that this can be done with proper training. 

Dr Kow Cheong Wei made the remarks at the prize-giving ceremony after presiding over the flag-off ceremony for the 2025 SJKC Shin Cheng (Harcroft) Cross Country Championship. In attendance were school headmistress Kuan Muk Lang, Parent Teacher Association chairman Mr Aaron Lee and a number of board members and PTA managers.

Dr Kow proposed that the school authorities could let the participating students know in advance certain race information, such as the length of the race route and the terrain characteristics of the uphill and downhill courses, and other elements, so that they could conduct analytical studies and flexibly use their mathematical and scientific knowledge from them, in addition to race training.

"This is so that it can help students to plan for the race using a series of characteristics and key points, such as using the field of mathematics to calculate speed, average time and plan the best strategy," said Dr Kow, adding that students will be able to experience first-hand their own health, physical strength and endurance, and being able to complete the course through real-life action within their own capabilities."

Dr Kow cited marathons around the world, including the 42-kilometer Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon, which will be held in October, as events that test the strength and mental capabilities of all runners. He gave the example of how athletes from Kenya, who excel in marathons, use their strength and skills to do well in marathons. 

"Kenya is one good example of how runners can do well. Many athletes are Kenyan because they train on uneven ground and tough conditions," he added, saying that preparation can be key to completing a race. Dr Kow said that while a marathon is uncomparable to a cross country event like that at SJKC Shin Cheng (Harcroft), he added that the lessons learnt from long distance runners in the 42km-long marathon can be applied to a simple school cross country race. 

At the prize giving ceremony, Dr Kow handed out medals to the winners of the race. The boys' and girls' race was won by a series of students from Year 6M, and several athletic and sports-capable students received awards. 

Dr Kow also spent time talking with Lau Wei Yiang, a local marathon runner who will be running his third marathon at the KL Standard Chartered Marathon in October. Wei Yiang had won 10th place in the Twincity Marathon in April last year but was forced to walk the remaining 10km of the KL Standard Chartered Marathon last year due to head dizziness. Wei Yiang is aiming to break his personal best of 3:21:40 hours, achieved at the Twincity Marathon last year. 

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

（蒲种讯）深静（哈古乐）华小董事长高祥威博士指出，越野赛跑是一种提升危机意识的学习过程，过程中不仅需注意安全，还要懂得如何在不受伤的情况下摆脱选手群，争取佳绩。

他说，如今在城市范围内学校举办的越野赛跑，已不再是传统意义上的穿越树丛、途经泥泞的比赛项目。

“如今，城市学校的越野赛跑路线多设在柏油道路上，越野的概念和思维模式也随之改变。”

他说，对学生而言，了解活动背后的意义，依然有其积极作用和显著效果。

高祥威为深静学校2025年越野赛跑主持挥旗礼后，在颁奖仪式上发表上述谈话；出席者包括校长官木兰、家协主席吕锦威及多位董事和家协理事。

高博士说，校方可让参赛学生事先了解比赛路线的长短，及赛道上下坡的地形特征等要素，让学生从中进行分析研究，灵活运用数学和科学知识。

他继说，数学可以帮助计算速度、平均用时和规划最佳策略，而从科学角度，学生能够亲身体验自己的健康状况、体力和耐力，并在自身能力的范围内，通过实战行动完成全程。