Running Relay Majulah for Charity

What better way to celebrate the bicentennial of Singapore than getting 200 runners together for a charitable cause? Relay Majulah is a ground-up initiative where 200 runners will run a collective distance of 2,000km for over 200 hours spanning 8 days (2–10 November 2019).  It aims to unite runners from all walks of life to run as a relay team to raise funds for President’s Challenge and support its 67 charities across different platforms.

The President's Challenge is an annual community outreach and fundraising campaign for charities selected every year by the President's Office. It is a call to all Singaporeans in doing their part as it aims to be a movement supported by kindness and generosity to create a more caring and inclusive society. Initiated by former President S R Nathan back in the year 2000, the Challenge represents the coming together of Singaporeans to help the less fortunate. In 2012, under the leadership of former President Tony Tan Keng Yam, it was expanded beyond  fundraising to include volunteerism and social entrepreneurship.

Many know of me as The Dog Alchemist, a fashion and luxury marketing professional turned dog behaviourist and trainer who runs ultra trail race to raise awarness and funds in aid of some no-kill dog shelters in Singapore.

I started the I RUN FOR RESCUE DOGS initiative back in 2015 because I wanted run for a cause that is close to my heart and to advocate responsible dog ownership and animal welfare. I have managed to raise over $80,000 since then and also gotten a small group of runners to join me two years ago and they raised a total of over $30,000.

I have never been a runner up till five years ago. I suffered a health scare that served as a wake-up call for me to take care of myself. I decided to embark on my fitness journey to take charge of my life. I went from not being able to run 2km to completing a full marathon of 42.195km in 10 months' time, to then venture into trail running and doing races of 50km, 100km and soon 100 miles in Tarawera, New Zealand, this coming February.

As a Singaporean who is proud to call Singapore my home, I am very honoured to be part of Relay Majulah. For once, I am running not just for the woofies but for humanity, specifically for the less fortunate Singaporeans who need our support and compassion. All donations are tax deductible and the minimum donation amount is $10.

If you wish to support Relay Majulah, you can help by making a donation or share the donation link to create awareness and garner donations. Together, we can make our Little Red Dot a better place for our less fortunate fellow countrymen. 

MARIE CHOO

Once known for her work and style as a marketing and public relations professional, Marie Choo (@mariechoo) is known to many as The Dog Alchemist these days, after giving up her career in the corporate world to become a dog behaviourist and trainer. She has also transformed herself into an ultra-trail runner who runs distances of 100km and more to raise funds and awareness for animal shelters in Singapore through her charity outreach, I RUN FOR RESCUE DOGS. As an avid photographer using her phone cam, she loves taking pics of nature when she is out hiking on trails and urban landscapes. When time permits, this multi-hyphenate also goes on adventure holidays to explore mountains and caves.