8th Kuching Heritage Race takes 228 participants on a culinary quest

BT
2 days ago
2 min read

KUCHING, 9 May 2025: The 8th edition of the Kuching Heritage Race took part earlier today at the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) compound, bringing together 54 teams comprising 228 participants, including international heritage enthusiasts from Australia and Singapore for a fun-filled morning dedicated to exploring Sarawak’s culinary heritage.

An initiative by the Kuching Heritage Awareness Society (KHAS), this year’s race theme is ‘Culinary Quest’, where participants had to navigate historic trails and complete challenges focused on Sarawak’s culinary heritage. Previous editions had participants running around historic areas like Gambier Street, Main Bazaar, Padungan, Fort Margherita, Batu Kawa Bazaar and Kampung Nombor, but this year’s edition covered the area surrounding MBKS and the Petanak Market.

The race was flagged off at 8AM by Brooke Trust Director, Jason Brooke, and witnessed by the race’s Organising Chairman, Datin Dona Drury Wee and KHAS President, Philip Yong, and concluded at noon with a prize-giving ceremony, which was graced by the Mayor of Kuching South, Dato Wee Hong Seng, who represented the Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Prof. Dr. Sim Kui Hian. Also present was Deputy State Secretary, Datu Hii Chang Kee.

In addition to exploring Sarawak’s unique gastronomy, the Kuching Heritage Race was also held to help those in need, as proceeds from race registrations and corporate sponsors are presented to a total of 5 underfunded educational and charitable organisations, including Persatuan Pendidikan D’wira, the Society for Kuching Urban Poor, Kuching Food Aid, the Sarawak Hospice Society and SMK Matang Jaya.

“Our heritage is not found only in the architecture of our shophouses or the artifacts in our museum - it is found in our laksa pot, our kolo mee stalls and the diverse spices that define our gastronomy,” said Datuk Amar Prof. Dr. Sim Kui Hian in his speech, read by Dato Wee. “When you race through all shops nearby MBKS grounds or the heritage trails of our city today, you weren’t just looking for clues, you’re tracing the footsteps of our ancestors who built this city through resilience and shared love for our community.”

Kuching Heritage Race 2026 is supported by the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak, Borneo Adventure, Affin Bank, Anytime Fitness, Ibraco Berhad, Secret Recipe, Team Magnifico, MBKS, the Culinary Heritage & Arts Society Sarawak (CHASS), Friends of Sarawak Museum and Brooke Museums, among others.

Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s Kuching Heritage Race! See you next year!