GEORGE TOWN: Standing before hundreds of supporters at the finish line, retired civil engineer Lim Shyang Guey looked skyward and delivered the words he had carried with him for 86 days and 2,200km.
“Firstly, my darling, we made it.”
The emotional tribute was for his late wife, Goh Joo Lee, whose memory fuelled every step of his journey around Peninsular Malaysia to raise awareness and funds for children battling cancer.
“We made it not in the way that we had wished,” said Lim, 66.
“We had wanted to walk around Malaysia together, every state. But I did not get to do it with my wife. She was there all along with me. Yes, we made it.”
His words drew applause from supporters gathered at Penang Free School, his alma mater, where he completed the Run For Gold campaign after 5.30pm.
The Penangite exceeded his target of 2,200km after multiple detours during the three-month journey, which began on March 28 at the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) premises in Lebuh Rose.
He ended the campaign with an 82km final run around Penang island, starting at 1am and passing through Teluk Bahang, Balik Pulau, Sungai Rusa, Batu Maung, Jelutong and George Town before finishing at his alma mater.
“Firstly, my darling, we made it.”
The emotional tribute was for his late wife, Goh Joo Lee, whose memory fuelled every step of his journey around Peninsular Malaysia to raise awareness and funds for children battling cancer.
“We made it not in the way that we had wished,” said Lim, 66.
“We had wanted to walk around Malaysia together, every state. But I did not get to do it with my wife. She was there all along with me. Yes, we made it.”
His words drew applause from supporters gathered at Penang Free School, his alma mater, where he completed the Run For Gold campaign after 5.30pm.
The Penangite exceeded his target of 2,200km after multiple detours during the three-month journey, which began on March 28 at the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) premises in Lebuh Rose.
He ended the campaign with an 82km final run around Penang island, starting at 1am and passing through Teluk Bahang, Balik Pulau, Sungai Rusa, Batu Maung, Jelutong and George Town before finishing at his alma mater.
But the finish line marked more than the end of a physical challenge. It fulfilled a promise shared with his late wife, who died of gallbladder cancer in 2024 at the age of 63.
The couple had planned to travel across Peninsular Malaysia on foot together before her passing.
Instead, Lim turned the dream into a nationwide campaign to support children with cancer.
Along the way, he said moments of coincidence strengthened his resolve, including in Pekan Nenas, Johor, where he came across a signboard bearing his wife’s name.
“Seeing her name gave me the strength to complete the 46km run that day,” he recalled.
Throughout the journey, Lim was accompanied by runners, volunteers and supporters.
He credited his support team for making the campaign possible.
“I could not have done this without a wonderful support team. I had four people following me for almost 90 days. I only had to wake up, run, eat and sleep,” he said.
He also thanked NCSM, sponsors, former schoolmates and Malaysians who joined segments of the run or contributed to the cause.
Lim said the campaign was driven by two goals: raising cancer awareness and supporting children battling the disease.
Explaining the name Run For Gold, he said it was not about medals or personal achievement.
The couple had planned to travel across Peninsular Malaysia on foot together before her passing.
Instead, Lim turned the dream into a nationwide campaign to support children with cancer.
Along the way, he said moments of coincidence strengthened his resolve, including in Pekan Nenas, Johor, where he came across a signboard bearing his wife’s name.
“Seeing her name gave me the strength to complete the 46km run that day,” he recalled.
Throughout the journey, Lim was accompanied by runners, volunteers and supporters.
He credited his support team for making the campaign possible.
“I could not have done this without a wonderful support team. I had four people following me for almost 90 days. I only had to wake up, run, eat and sleep,” he said.
He also thanked NCSM, sponsors, former schoolmates and Malaysians who joined segments of the run or contributed to the cause.
Lim said the campaign was driven by two goals: raising cancer awareness and supporting children battling the disease.
Explaining the name Run For Gold, he said it was not about medals or personal achievement.
“It’s for the children. Children with cancer. That’s why it’s Run For Gold. I am running for the children. I don’t need any more gold,” he said.
Funds raised will be channelled to Home of Hope, which provides accommodation and support for children undergoing cancer treatment and their caregivers.
Lim urged that donations remained open until Aug 24, the anniversary of his wife’s passing.
“Aug 24 is significant for me because it’s the day my wife left,” he said.
He ended with a simple appeal: “Run for Gold? Run for the children. Open your heart.”
Lim raised more than RM700,000 through the solo campaign.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was present at the finish line, announced a RM50,000 contribution to the fund.
Funds raised will be channelled to Home of Hope, which provides accommodation and support for children undergoing cancer treatment and their caregivers.
Lim urged that donations remained open until Aug 24, the anniversary of his wife’s passing.
“Aug 24 is significant for me because it’s the day my wife left,” he said.
He ended with a simple appeal: “Run for Gold? Run for the children. Open your heart.”
Lim raised more than RM700,000 through the solo campaign.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was present at the finish line, announced a RM50,000 contribution to the fund.
