The Power of Dreams and the Challenging Spirit are living mottos in Honda. More than words, they are emotional beaming torches, the force, inside every associate. Just recently, a group of Honda associates polished this motivating force in one of the most celebrated running events in the country: the Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon. Honda Malaysia took the opportunity to be a part of the event as a Gold Sponsor.
Mr Yoichiro Ueno, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Honda Malaysia is greatly supportive of the Company’s involvement in a marathon event of such magnitude. “Marathon is a very tough exercise and all runners are challenging their physical and mental limit in the race with dreams to achieve their own goal. As a company that believes in the power of dreams, we would like to support those who participate in the race with our Challenging Spirit.”
The Company was represented by 50 associates in three categories: 21km(half marathon), 10km and 5km. Together with more than 22,000 participants, all Honda associates had only one mission: to complete and overcome challenges at the marathon.
Of course, it is easier said than done. Let’s hear it from our comrades who had taken the leap, in flesh and in spirit.
Nicholas Bong Min Kiat, Service PJ – Half Marathon (21km)
1. What motivated you to join the KL Marathon?
It had been seven years ago since I last joined a mid range distance run, so it was a good opportunity for me to challenge myself again.
2. What were your thoughts before the event? And what were your thoughts after you completed the run?
Before the event, my mind was set on a simple target, which is to complete the whole half marathon without stopping. Now, having completed the run, I know my limit. I still couldn't complete the whole journey without stopping, but I have improved. I learned something from this experience: sometime it is necessary to stop and rest for a while in order to go further.
3. How did you prepare yourself for the run?
I jogged a month before the marathon to prepare myself physically and mentally.
4. Do you think you manifest Honda’s challenging spirit and in what ways?
Yes. I never gave up even though I was physically tired, especially during the last few kilometers. That is the challenging spirit.
Daphne Chen, Marketing (Half Marathon, 21km):
1. What motivated you to join the KL Marathon?
I love running. To keep running and stay motivated is very important. That’s why I signed up for KL marathon again this year and set a goal to improve my previous record.
2. What were your thoughts before the event? And what were your thoughts after you completed the run?
Before the race, I was thinking about how to complete the run within my target time. My strategy was to start slow, keep up the pace during and finish strong. And it worked! Having improved my previous records by 12 minutes, I felt good at the end, accomplished, proud. This is also a good progression for me to aim for full marathon in the future.
3. How did you prepare yourself for the run?
I already have an established running routine. All I had to do was to commit to the routine and enhance it. Basically, it included running at least twice a week – one long run and one short or sprint. I also added cross training with one or two swimming routines.
4. Do you think you manifest Honda’s challenging spirit and in what ways?
Definitely. Honda’s Challenging Spirit is about taking up the challenges and going beyond our limits. The challenge for me for this year was to beat my previous record. In taking up the challenge, it required me to be committed to my training and constantly pushing myself physically to run faster and further and to be mentally stronger and stay focused. It was not easy. It took dedication and hard work and it paid off!
About Standard Chartered Trust Fund
Standard Chartered Trust Fund (SCTF) was registered in 2005 under the Trustee Incorporation Act 1952 as the charitable arm of Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad. Its main objective is to identify and channel financial support and aid to deserving community programs in Malaysia currently based on the following themes - Living with HIV/AIDS, Seeing Is Believing, and Youth, Health & Education.
One of the country’s most celebrated annual running events, Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon attracted more than 22,000 participants this year.
An avid runner himself, Mr. Ueno is all smiles at dusk at the event venue.
Honda associates gathers for a warm up session.
Honda associates stretch to loosen to stimulate the muscles for the run.
All warmed up and geared up for the challenge!
Honda associate, Yogeswaran Gurusamy with one mission: to complete and overcome challenges at the marathon.
Jumping in joy Honda associates proudly proclaimed: We did it!
The happy and spirited associates who tested Challenging Spirit on the tarmac.