Lyna Mohamad
The field at Taman Sir Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien was abuzz as Bandarku Ceria returned to the capital, with the Guardian Fun Run 2023 as the highlight of activities yesterday.
Hundreds of runners of all ages and backgrounds took part, including 52-year-old Jubin Eugene Malon, who turned up in traditional ethnic Sabah Dusun attire to join in the five-kilometre fun run category.
“I enjoy the activity,” Jubin told the Bulletin. “Back home I used to be a mountain guide, which I still do whenever I am home for the holidays or for our village’s eco-tourism.
“Sometimes I will bring hikers from Brunei to visit our area and engage in hiking activities.”
Jubin, who hails from Penampang in the Malaysian state of Sabah and has been working in the Sultanate since 1998, shared that he always enjoyed physical activities and regularly participates in events such as the one Guardian Brunei organised yesterday.
He takes pride in being a Sabah Dusun, and ran in the traditional marudu costume to promote his hometown, their traditions and culture. The marudu is usually worn during the Pesta Kaamantan, a harvest festival celebrated by Kadazan-Dusuns in Sabah and Labuan.
“It is important to be active in fitness activities for health and wellbeing,” said Jubin.
Meanwhile, Rosdiman bin Haji Awang Lakim, a 28-year-old local from Kampong Lambak Kanan, turned up in cara Melayu and ran the 10-kilometre category. “This is actually my second time joining a run activity wearing a traditional outfit,” said Rosdiman, adding that he also did a 10-kilometre run in a kurta.
“I had initially wanted to put on an Awang Budiman costume,” he said, but wasn’t able to get the material for the outfit in time.
As a concession, the studs on his cara Melayu was in the design of a keris, an accessory worn by the national mascot.
As a fitness trainer, Rosdiman shared that running in traditional outfits was neither uncomfortable or comfortable.
“It was okay,” he said. “There is no specific reason for me to wear this outfit.
“But it can be a way of promoting our costumes while at the same time it is to show that we can still run regardless what we wear,” he said.
“Running is in my DNA, hence I want to try wearing clothes aside from the usual running outfit just to feel the difference.”
