Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah yesterday participated in the 3rd Bukit Markucing Challenge Run (Cabaran Larian Bukit Markucing) held in conjunction with the National Day Celebration at Kampung Belimbing Recreational Park.

HRH Princess Fadzilah won fourth place in the girl's category for 13 to 25 years old.

More than 250 participants took part in the challenge, which was flagged off by the guest of honour, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Home Affairs, who also presented prizes to the winners in the men's categories. The wife of the deputy minister, Datin Hajah Kalsom binti Haji Suhaili, presented prizes to winners in the women's categories.

Also present at the event were Permanent Secretaries and Deputy Permanent Secretaries at the Ministry of Home Affairs, as well as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, who is also the advisor of Kampung Belimbing Consultative Council. Other guests included Kg Belimbing Village Head cum Acting Penghulu of Mukim Kota Batu, Awg Haji Mohd Daud bin Karim, who was also chairman of the event.

The annual Bukit Markucing Challenge is organised by the Kampung Belimbing Consultative Council with a total of 11 categories contested that covered a distance of 3.5 km.

The run aimed to promote the area as an eco-tourism place in the country, appropriate to hold various recreational events and sports activities such as jogging and hiking. Besides that, the activity also aimed to enhance and foster closer relationship among the invited guests, participants and members of the Village Consultative Council.

Bukit Markucing is a beautiful area close to nature that is also equipped with recreation huts. From the top of the hill, at a height of 165 metres above sea level, it has a panoramic view of the village and surrounding areas.

The champion in the Men's Open category was Sefli Ahar, followed by Mohd Sofian bin Serudin who came in second place and Rahim bin Hj Hassan in third place.

In the Women's Open category, the winner was Tan Siew King, followed by Sufinah Hj Idris and Amalina Abdullah who came in second and third places respectively.

In the boy's category (13 to 25 years old), first place went to Muhammad Rafiuddin bin Zakaria, second place to Ak Nur Sallehin bin Pg Ismail, third place to Abdul Malik bin Awg Hidup, fourth place to Habibullah bin Hj Md Zain and fifth place to Muhammad Abd Hamid bin Hj Abd Hazimin.

Meanwhile, in the girl's category (13 to 25 years old), the top five were Safria Farhanina Yayan, Nur Farah Hana bte Md Abidin, Siti Fatimatuz' Zahra Hj Md Shahrir, HRH Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah and Nurul Munirah bte Miramid.

In the girl's category (12 years old and below), Siti Nur Raihana Sayzwani bte Raizal claimed first place while Siti Nur Razlina Syazlini bte Raizal came in second place.

Third place went to Mira Syazana bte Norashid, while fourth and fifth places went to Aziqah bte Yahya and Fatin Afifah bte Mohd Amin respectively.

In the women's category (between 26 to 39 years old), first place was won by Sylvia Md Arwan, followed by Nona Rowena Hj Mahmud and Siti Sarmah Abd Ghani who came in second and third places respectively. Fourth and fifth places went to Siti Khatamalzariah Pg Hj Kamaludin and Julia Sanchez.

In the women's category (40 years and above), Siti Fatimah Hj Abu Bakar came in first place while second place and third place went to Norizah bte Hj Mohd Kassim and Rosmawati bte Hj Omar. Fourth and fifth places went to Noni Hj Kaderl and Ngo Oh Chin.

In the men's category (40 to 55 years old) Abdul Ramlan bin Maarof won first place, while second and third places went to Suhaili Hj Nayan and Haji Mohamad Azmi. Hamzah bin Ghani and Md Jolaihi Hj Abdullah won fourth and fifth places respectively.

In the men's category (26 to 39 years old), first place went to Zainor Sam bin Md Zain, second place to Mastani, third place to Azman bin Amir, fourth place to Bahrom Baharim and fifth place to Danial Abu Bakar.

In the men's category (56 years and above), first place went to Hj Osli Hj Md Nor, second place to Abbas Hj Tengah, third place to Ibrahim Hj Suda, fourth place to Mohd Iskandar bin Abdullah and fifth place to Tamin bin Tangkim.

According to organising committee, the response for the event was very encouraging compared to last year. - Borneo Bulletin (4th April 2011)