PRESS RELEASE : Hatten Group Ushered In Year 2016 With Hatten Neon NiteRun

Hatten Group ushered in year 2016 with over 4,000 neon-clad runners from across Malaysia in Melaka’s most epic neon fun run!

Melaka, 31st December 2015 – Padang Pahlawan was the site of another historic event, Hatten Neon Run

2015! Over 4,000 runners from around the region converged in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Melaka, all eager to be part of the most epic countdown event of the year.

Due to popular demand, main event organiser, Hatten Group, decided to bring back the year-end fun run and this time, everything was bigger, bolder and more electrifying. Among the prominent event sponsors were:

UOB Bank, MyTeksi, L’Oreal, SportsDirect.com and many more. Hatten Neon Run was also extremely honoured to host Malaysia’s top national athletes! Participants rubbed shoulders with famous names in the world of sports such as Noraseela Mohd Khalid, 2012 Olympics competitor in the 400m Hurdles, SEA Games gold medallist, Subramaniam Genesan, Yuan Yufang, recipient of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) scholarship and former national long distance runner, M. Ramachandran.

This year, the organisers decided to include everyone in the excitement with the debut of the 3km Family Category for young families and older participants. Equipped with the iconic glow-in-the-dark dri-fit jerseys, personalised race bibs, blinker wristbands, neon glow sticks, tattoos and much more, the participants were ready and waiting at Padang Pahlawan as early as 7.00pm to secure a good position at the starting line. Many participants arrive with the help of the MyTeksi application. Event partner, MyTeksi offered runners an exclusive RM10 off their ride to/from Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall using the promo code: HGNEONRUN15.

At 8.00pm, Melaka’s top Zumba Team kick started the night with their heart-pumping dance-style warm up session to hype up the crowds. At 8.30pm sharp, the crowd was all set and ready to go. The VIPs, Datuk Wira Eric Tan, Group Advisor of Hatten Group and Dato’ Edwin Tan, Group Chief Executive Officer of Hatten Group were ushered onstage to officiated the start of Hatten Neon Run 2015. At the blast of the horn, the gigantic Neon Balls were unleashed and with a “3, 2, 1… GO!” the crowds flagged-off!

Passing through historical landmarks such as Pulau Melaka, A’ Famosa, St. Paul’s Hill Independence
Memorial and many more, the Neon Runners attracted massive attention along Melaka’s busiest route. Along the way, the runners passed by 5 exciting pit stops: the Neon-Arch, UV Tunnel and Photowall, Neon Step Run, Graffiti Neon, Neon Drummers and Neon N’ Dance Station. There was also a Water Station for the runners to rest and rehydrate. For a boost of energy, fresh bananas were distributed free for all.

“This has been one of the most enjoyable runs of the year! I love how we got to experience the different sides of Melaka – centuries’ worth of culture and a timeless heritage mixed with the city’s cool urban vibe,” said Yuan Yufang, recipient of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) scholarship.

Beyond its objective to promote health as a fun run, Hatten Neon Run is also a platform for charity and awareness. To give the community a chance to usher in 2016 in a more meaningful way, the organisers decided to team up with charity beneficiary, UNICEF. Besides the prominent awareness booths and donation drives, Hatten Group pledged to donate RM5 for each participant who signed up for the run. All proceeds will be donated to children in need across the world via the trusted channels of UNICEF.

“Each year, with the Hatten Neon Run, we try to bring as much fun and excitement to the community. By incorporating cool neon elements into our fun run, we want to encourage more people to participate in healthy outdoor activities. And since we’re reaching out within our community, we thought, why not give back to the global community as well. Hence, our partnership with UNICEF,” said Dato’Edwin Tan.

Mr. Richard Beighton, Chief of Private Sector, Fundraising and Partnerships, UNICEF adds, “We are proud to be the charity beneficiary of Hatten Neon Nite Run 2015. The event brings people together for health while helping to spread awareness of the suffering of children in developing and war-torn countries. Each runner together, with Hatten Group is making a difference in the lives of those in need.”

Hatten Neon Run 2015 indeed, marks a spectacular start to 2016.