This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on November 9, 2026 - November 15, 2026

No stranger to The Edge Kuala Lumpur Rat Race, the YTL Corp Bhd (KL:YTL) team is excited to show its teamwork and support each other through each kilometre for the win.

Each member has been training consistently for the race, even switching from their usual outdoor running routines to indoor treadmill sessions when the haze became severe. Runners from YTL emphasised the importance of good nutrition and meditation in keeping themselves physically and mentally prepared.

Beyond the race itself, YTL sees the event as an opportunity to promote a healthy lifestyle while bringing together people from different organisations and backgrounds, united by a shared passion for fitness and a greater purpose.

“Running keeps us healthy, and that’s rewarding in itself. But knowing that every step also helps someone in need takes that satisfaction to another level,” says the YTL team.

“What we love most about charity events like this is seeing so many like-minded people come together for a good cause. I hope this spirit continues and that the good we do today continues to be passed on.”

The team fondly recalled the electric atmosphere of thousands of runners gathering at night in the heart of Kuala Lumpur to take part in the race, and are excited to experience it all over again this year.

They particularly cherish the energy at the starting line, the encouragement and camaraderie among fellow participants, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with crossing the finish line.

YTL’s main goal this year is to give their absolute best, represent their company with pride and show other participating companies that they are never ones to back down from a challenge.

Dialog Group Bhd (KL:DIALOG) is banking on physical preparation and mental resilience to win the relay.

Running The Edge Kuala Lumpur Rat Race for the first time, the Dialog team is eager to be a part of the initiative while nurturing relationships and team spirit with participants within and outside the workplace.

“Physically, we are incorporating regular runs and fitness activities into our routines to build stamina and maintain our overall well-being, while being mindful not to overexert ourselves and risk injury,” says the team.

On the mental side, the group is focused on building discipline, confidence and resilience through small and achievable goals to remind themselves of the reason they are participating in the race.

“We also practise staying focused and maintaining a positive mindset throughout our training. As first-time participants, we are taking the opportunity to gradually build our confidence and readiness for race day.”

Their primary goal for the race is to complete it together as a team and make it an enjoyable experience. The team expressed excitement towards meeting and connecting with colleagues outside of the office.

“More than the finishing time or results, what matters most is crossing the finish line together. For us, it will be a proud moment that celebrates the teamwork, effort and commitment everyone has put in for the run,” says the team.

For the team, the most rewarding part about participating is the support that the race brings for persons with disabilities.

Dialog notes that there needs to be more community initiatives in Malaysia, especially in areas such as education, skills development, financial literacy and community well-being.

“These initiatives not only create lasting impact but also provide opportunities for people from all walks of life to get involved, whether through volunteering, mentoring, fundraising or community programmes,” says the team.

The team at DCD Technology Sdn Bhd is propelled by the chance to give back to the community. Working together to showcase their teamwork and unity, the participants will also demonstrate the company’s commitment to inclusivity and community progress, championing equity and accessibility, particularly in terms of education and financial literacy and for persons with disabilities.

Sending a team made up of both veterans and newcomers, DCD Technology is ready to get involved in a good cause. Asked what they would like to see more of when it comes to charity work in Malaysia, the runners suggest more support for mental-health-related aid for orphanages and other underprivileged groups.

Returning participant Mohd Hairi Abdullah’s favourite memory is running through the city. The power system engineer says his training regime includes running at least 5km four times a week.

ELV engineer Hassan Azhari Mukhtar says his personal goal is to finish the race in under 30 minutes. He sees the event as a rewarding opportunity — “a reminder that we can always make time for doing good”.

Overall, Team DCD Technology will certainly be contributing to this charitable initiative with gratitude and goodwill.

Axiata Group Bhd (KL:AXIATA) is focusing on teamwork, camaraderie and fun as it races to the finish line.

The company is no stranger to The Edge Kuala Lumpur Rat Race, but this will be the first time Axiata will be running together as a team, a prospect that excites them.

Training for this race has been a constant goal for the larger team, utilising either Axiata’s Running Club to train together regularly, or by running in other marathons such as the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon held in October.

“After the marathon, I will focus on improving my speed and getting race-ready for November. Mentally, there is some pressure in representing the team, but my focus is on giving my best and, hopefully, not disappointing the team,” says Farah Diana Yaacob, head of corporate treasury.

Other team members share this view, seeing the race as an opportunity for the wider business community to come together for a common purpose: raising funds and awareness for charitable causes while promoting an active lifestyle.

Axiata group CEO and managing director Nik Rizal Kamil is excited not just to run, but also to catch up with members of the capital market community under a different backdrop.

“We often meet in boardrooms, conferences and business events, so it’s refreshing to come together outside work, stay active and support a meaningful cause at the same time,” says Nik.

He adds that it is less about the competition of it all and more about participating alongside other CEOs and the Axiata team, strengthening bonds in both the sector and within the company itself.

“It’s always nice to do well, but the real success is seeing Team Axiata come together in support of a meaningful cause. If we can have fun while making a positive contribution, that’s a win in my book.”

Mah Sing Group Bhd is debuting a team of first-time runners, whose passion and enthusiasm is clearly evident. Most of them started training about three months ago, doing outdoor runs before practising in the gym at their headquarters amid the recent hazy conditions, with the intention of building up their stamina and avoiding injuries.

The runners are also mentally ready, maintaining a positive mindset and insisting that results and prizes do not take precedence over their ultimate enjoyment of the experience, including the opportunity to come together outside their daily roles and responsibilities for a purpose that extends beyond themselves.

As the seventh consecutive winner of the Company of the Year award at the Sustainability & CSR Malaysia Awards, the conglomerate is well versed in how companies can leverage their collective resources, networks and influence to contribute meaningfully to society. In addition to giving donations, it believes in supporting long-term charitable initiatives, particularly in education and community development, and creating more opportunities for disadvantaged groups.

“For Mah Sing, participation is an opportunity to reinforce our commitment to corporate social responsibility, encourage employee engagement and be part of a wider corporate effort to create a positive and lasting impact on the community,” the team says. 

Save by subscribing to us for your print and/or digital copy.

P/S: The Edge is also available on Apple's App Store and Android's Google Play.