A morning run through the heart of Kuala Lumpur became more than a fitness event as Yayasan UniKL brought together students, staff, families and members of the public for YU Fun Run 2026: Malaysia Day Edition on 20 September 2026.
Held at Dataran DBKL, Jalan Raja Laut, the five-kilometre community run formed part of the KL Car Free Morning initiative and celebrated Malaysia Day through a shared spirit of healthy living, unity and community participation.
Organised by Yayasan UniKL in collaboration with Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), the Centre of Women Advancement & Leadership (CWAL), UniKL Centre for Alumni and Career Services (CACS) and UniKL Malaysian Institute of Information Technology (UniKL MIIT), the event recorded 720 registrations, with approximately 600 participants turning up for the run.
The wider KL Car Free Morning programme attracted an estimated 2,000 participants across activities involving YU Fun Run, BYD’s EV Car programme, Yayasan ANGKASA and NGO PEYATIM, strengthening engagement between institutions and the wider Kuala Lumpur community.
Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Zuhanis Mansor, Director of Yayasan UniKL, officiated the flag-off at 7.20 a.m. together with UniKL Chief Executive Officer Encik Wan Ahmad Saifuddin Wan Ahmad Radzi and Yayasan UniKL Board of Trustees member Encik Hafidzi Abu Bakar.
Beyond encouraging physical activity, the programme served as a platform to raise awareness of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), promote volunteerism, strengthen community connections and support Yayasan UniKL’s fundraising efforts for educational assistance and scholarships.
The initiative reflects UniKL’s broader role as a Malaysian technical university in connecting higher education, TVET and community impact, while extending educational opportunities to students who require financial assistance.
Community inclusion was also an important part of the programme. Through its corporate social responsibility initiative with Wira Lawan Kanser, the run welcomed 30 adults and children, extending participation to members of the cancer survivor community.
Adding energy to the Malaysia Day celebration, students from Convent Bukit Nanas School delivered a percussion performance, while participants were also treated to medal and meal kit distribution and a YU lucky draw session.
The programme was supported by sponsors and individual contributors, including RF Station, Hypergear Malaysia, Decathlon Malaysia and Nestlé Malaysia.
The initiative contributes particularly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being through the promotion of active lifestyles; SDG 4: Quality Education through educational aid and scholarship support; and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities through efforts to widen access to educational assistance.
Its collaboration with DBKL, community organisations, corporate partners and other stakeholders also supports SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
