IN THE NEWS: Age No Barrier At PACM Track Meet

Age No Barrier At PACM Track Meet
By STUART MICHAEL, Photos by IBRAHIM MOHTAR

AGE didn't make much of a difference at the 4th Pacesetters Athletic Club Malaysia (PACM) Track Meet held at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Bandar Tun Razak recently.

Parents, children, grandfathers and grandmothers alike took to the track without reservation. Hooi Siew Weng, 67, a founder member of PACM, also took part in the meet.

“I just love running and mountain climbing. I've gone climbing in Nepal and have completed 20 marathons. It helps keep me fit,'' said Hooi, who finished third in the men's 400m in the 60 and above age group. “I am competing because I want to show my support to the club and to prove that age is no barrier when it comes to running.'' The youngest participant was Phoon Min Min, four, who took part in the girls' Under-6 50m event.

Young children competing in the PACM Track Meet

Min Min's mother Li Pei Ping and father Phoon Yoke Heng are members of PACM. “Min Min likes to join in because she can see her brother and sister having so much fun,” said Pei Ping, who used to run for Kuala Lumpur.

The group comprising Gasing Hill, Klang and Lembah Kiara accumulated 325 points to emerge as overall champions. Subang Jaya finished second six points behind.

Patrick Low was named Best Sportsman of the meet when he won the 100m, 400m, 4 x100m and 4x400m in the men's 40 to 49 age group. He also broke the records in the 100m and 400m with times of 12.47s and 59.77s, respectively.

Dr Moira Robertson was named Best Sportswoman. She broke the 100m and 400m records in the women's 18 to 29 age group. Dr Moira, who also helped her team to win the 4x100m and 4x400m events, clocked 12.64s for the 100m and 1'06.4 for the 400m.

PACM president Wan Yew Leong gave away the prizes to the winners. “As we are catering for children as young as six and below, we hope to become a force to be reckoned with in the next 10 years,” Wan added.

“The best part of it is that people compete in the meet for the love of running and not for money. All the champions get is a pewter medal.''

OCM secretary general Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, who was also present for the event, said other clubs should emulate the PACM. “Clubs should hold their own track meets to help develop athletics at the grassroots,'' Sieh added.