Runners taking part in the first Kuching Car Free Morning for 2026 near Padang Merdeka. – Photo by Roystein Enmor
KUCHING (Jan 4): More than 600 participants took to the streets here today to kick-start their New Year’s resolutions of keeping fit by joining the Kuching Car Free Morning (KCFM), which featured a six-kilometre car-free route through key parts of the city centre.
The initiative, organised by Kuching City North Commission (DBKU), aims to promote a healthy lifestyle, encourage walking, running and cycling, and raise public awareness on reducing reliance on motor vehicles through the temporary closure of selected roads to traffic.
Held on the first and third Sundays of each month, the event covered four main areas namely Heroes’ Monument, Padang Merdeka, Pangkalan Sapi and Dataran Ibu Pertiwi, allowing participants to move freely across the city centre in a safe, vehicle-free environment.
Yong (left) enjoys her first Kuching Car Free Morning with her friend Jo-Lynn. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
Among the participants was Sheila Yong from Kuching, who said it was her first time joining the event.
She said the car-free setting was what she enjoyed most.
“There are no cars and lots of space to run.
“I guess this is part of my New Year’s resolution to keep fit,” she told The Borneo Post when met at the event.
Yong, who arrived at the venue at around 6am, participated in the event with her friend Jo-Lynn and expressed hope that KCFM would be held more frequently.
“Yes, I hope they will do it every Sunday instead of every other Sunday,” she said.
Carrico (right) with his wife and cat all smiles for the camera when met after their run. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
Richard Carrico, originally from the United States and now residing in Sarawak under the Sarawak Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, said he attends KCFM almost every time it is held.
“It is nice to join this event where there are nice people, families are here, athletes are here – it’s a mix and that’s what Borneo is all about,” he said.
Carrico, who was joined by his Thai wife Jamila Sukanya and their pet cat Poʻipū (which means ‘crashing waves’ in Hawaiian), said the strong participation and the downtown route were among the event’s main attractions.
“I think the fact that everybody is participating and it’s beautiful downtown, so it’s always a good reason to come down here, find a parking space and join everybody,” he said.
On staying active, Carrico said the event marked a restart of his fitness routine for the year.
“I was doing a pretty good job and then got ill a little bit, so I figured, okay, first of the year let’s start running and walking again,” he said.
Song takes a photo together with her Pomeranian named Snowy. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
Another participant from Kuching, K.S Song, who is also a member of the City Joggers’ Club, said he joins KCFM whenever his schedule permits.
Song, who rode a bicycle with his Pomeranian named Snowy, said the absence of vehicles made the event suitable for cyclists.
He added that keeping fit was already part of his daily routine.
“I exercise every day. I’ve been doing that for 11 years. I run and I go to the gym,” he said.
Song also expressed hope that the initiative would continue and be expanded.
“I hope there’ll be more, not only on the first and third Sundays,” he added.
The turnout reflected sustained public interest in KCFM as a platform combining fitness, community engagement and car-free urban living at the start of the New Year.