More Than 3,000 Participants Are Expected As The Community Event Returns With A Stronger Focus On Inclusion

Benjamin Yeow, CEO of CheckPointSpot receives an appreciation plaque from the organisers in recognition of the company’s support as the official registration partner for the Merdeka Spirit Run 2026 Fun Run categories.

KUCHING – Community spirit, healthy living and inclusivity will take centre stage this September and October as Merdeka Spirit Run 2026 and Senaman Cergas 1Kenyalang 2026 return to bring thousands of people together through sport and fitness.

Organised by Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara (DBKU) in collaboration with the Kuching Car Free Morning programme, the two events are expected to attract more than 3,000 participants. The programmes aim to encourage healthier lifestyles while creating opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to take part in community activities.

Merdeka Spirit Run 2026 will take place on 6 September at Padang Merdeka, Kuching, featuring 3KM and 5KM Fun Run categories. The event has already attracted more than 1,500 registrations, and organisers expect participation to exceed 2,000 runners by race day. Beyond the run itself, participants can enjoy family-friendly activities, health screenings by NUTRIGOLD, Aerodance performances and sports massage services.

One of the highlights this year is the event’s stronger focus on inclusivity. For the first time, persons with disabilities (OKU) and children from PERYATIM have been invited to participate, with a dedicated 1KM wheelchair category introduced to encourage wider community involvement. Forty participants from the OKU community have already confirmed their participation across various disability categories.

The community celebrations will continue on 11 October with Senaman Cergas 1Kenyalang 2026 at Baitulmakmur, Petra Jaya, held in conjunction with the WAK Kuching Festival. The programme combines Zumba, Aerodance and Aerobics into a single fitness event, offering residents another opportunity to stay active while strengthening community bonds. More than 600 participants have already signed up, with organisers targeting over 1,000 attendees.

Behind every successful community event is a network of partners helping to ensure everything runs smoothly. Among them is CheckPointSpot®, which serves as the official registration partner for the Merdeka Spirit Run 2026 Fun Run categories. Through its digital registration platform, the company helps simplify participant registration and supports organisers in managing the growing number of entries efficiently.

In recognition of its contribution, CheckPointSpot® will receive an appreciation plaque from the organiser during the event. The acknowledgement reflects the important role technology partners play behind the scenes in helping community sporting events deliver a seamless experience for participants from registration through to race day.

Other partners are also contributing to enhance the participant experience. PROTON will provide exclusive gifts to registered participants, while NUTRIGOLD will offer complimentary healthy beverages throughout the programme. Lucky draw prizes will also be available for participants at both events.

As participation continues to grow each year, Merdeka Spirit Run has evolved beyond a recreational run into a community platform that brings together families, fitness enthusiasts, corporate groups and first-time participants. Together with Senaman Cergas 1Kenyalang, the initiatives reflect DBKU’s continued efforts to promote healthier, more active and inclusive communities across Kuching.