The first race of the season always holds a special place in our hearts, and Race Against the Burn was no exception. While it wasn’t the biggest event on our calendar, the energy and spirit on the track made it feel meaningful. This wasn’t just about winning medals—it was about pushing limits, embracing discomfort, and standing together as a community.
Early in the year, most training is still in the conditioning phase. That's why we went for longer distances like 4x400m and 4x800m, instead of specific sprint events. Too often, athletes, especially sprinters, shy away from endurance-based races, fearing the "burn". But we believe in building well-rounded athletes, and distances like 4x400m and 4x800m are just as crucial for sprinters as they are for distance runners.
A Race of Heart, Not Just Speed
With 41 teams signed up, the relays had a bit of everything—competitive racing, solid teamwork, and a few unexpected moments that made the event even more interesting.
🏃 U10: 4x100m
🏃 U12: 4x200m
🏃 U15, U17, Open & Parents: 4x400m
🏃 Mixed Age: 4x800m
All top five teams in each category were awarded medals, and every participant received a special voucher from Dynamique Sports Rehab Centre, a reminder that recovery and injury prevention are just as important as training. In addition, Dynamique will be hosting two workshops in June and another in December to further educate athletes on these crucial aspects
One of the highlights? The participation of Rumah Charis, a welfare home we invited as part of our CSR initiative. Their two teams didn't just show up, they took on the challenge and gave their absolute best to finish the race. Moments like these remind us that competition is only one part of the journey. The greater win is in showing up, trying, and being part of something bigger.
Parents Stepping Up—Jeans, Barefoot, and All!
Perhaps the most unforgettable moment of the event came from an unexpected twist. Originally, we only had one father's and one mother's team for the Parents' 4x400m. But what happened next? Pure magic.
With a mic in hand, our head coach put out a last-minute call for more parents to join, and team managers and even their children jumped in to convince them to run! Some parents hesitated, shaking their heads with nervous laugh. But with a little push—sometimes all it takes is a pat on the back or an excited "Come on, Mom/Dad, you can do it!"—they stepped onto the track.
No warm-ups. No second thoughts. Just pure spirit.
And let's not forget, this wasn't a 4x100m dash. It was a full 400m lap, not exactly a casual jog! Parents ran in jeans, skirt pants, borrowed shoes from their kids, and even barefoot. The best part? the students were more excited than the parents themselves! By the end, we had five fathers' teams and two mothers' teams, all formed on the spot.
Sometimes, even parents need a little encouragement to step out of their comfort zones. And seeing them do it? Absolutely wonderful.
More Than Just a Competition
Beyond the races, Race Against the Burn proved that athletics is about more than just winning—it's about building friendships, resilience, and community. A great example was the 4x800m relay, where teams that lacked enough runners joined forces across clubs. TCISKL teamed up with Kawan Athletics and Rumah Charis, ensuring that everyone had a chance to race. That’s what we want to cultivate—not just strong athletes, but a strong network of people who lift each other up.
Though this won't be an annual event, small-scale races like this will continue to be part of Kawan's vision, providing an environment where athletes of all backgrounds can push themselves, learn from each other, and create lifelong memories.
A huge thank you to Dynamique Sports Rehab Centre for supporting this event with participant vouchers. We also appreciate the ongoing support from our 2025 sponsors, Merak Consultancy & EIN Foundation, whose contributions help us create more opportunities for athletes throughout the year.
What's Next? The 100m Showdown in July!
If Race Against the Burn was the warm-up, then our next event is set to make history. Mark your calendars—13th July 2025! We’re hosting a 100m Race featuring Zaidatul Husniah, celebrating her record-breaking feat of shattering a 32-year-old national record. Don't miss this opportunity to witness one of Malaysia's fastest women blaze down the track!
To everyone who ran, cheered, or supported Race Against the Burn, thank you! See you all on the track soon!
Thanks Kawan Athletics for this wonderful event