At 66, Lim Shyang Guey, affectionately known as SG, is preparing for a remarkable journey, a 2,200km run around Peninsular Malaysia that will take him across 11 states and two federal territories over approximately 90 days.
The route will lead him over mountain roads, along highways, and through towns many Malaysians simply pass by. But for SG, this is more than a physical endurance challenge. It is a deeply personal mission rooted in love, remembrance, and purpose.
At every step of the journey, he will carry a photo of his late wife, Joo Lee, close to his heart.
“The run has not started, but the journey has begun,” he shared in a recent interview. “And for me, this will always be a journey with my wife.”
The project, now named Run For Gold (RFG), aims to raise funds for the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM), specifically to support childhood cancer services such as the Home of Hope, which provides accommodation for children undergoing treatment and their caregivers. However, this journey did not begin as a run.
Several years ago, SG and Joo Lee had planned to walk across Malaysia together under a project they called Jalan Gemilang. It was meant to be a slow, meaningful adventure, a leisure walk inspired by the spirit of Cuti-Cuti Malaysia. After 37 years of marriage, they wanted to spend unhurried time exploring the country on foot.
The route was mapped out in 2020. The name was chosen. The dream was simple: to walk side by side.
But in 2024, Joo Lee passed away from Stage 4 gallbladder cancer. The plan for Jalan Gemilang remained unfinished.
In the months that followed, SG came across a book titled From Grief to Love, which tells the story of Laurence Carter, who walked 6,800km around the English and Welsh coast after losing his wife to cancer. Moved by the story, SG reached out to Carter to better understand what such a journey required, both physically and emotionally.
That conversation rekindled Jalan Gemilang, but in a different form. Recognising Malaysia’s heat, terrain, and the practical challenges of carrying heavy gear, SG decided to transform the walk into a supported run, aligning the journey with his lifelong passion for running.
“How am I going to walk in 30-degree heat with a 5kg backpack?” he reflected. “If I’m supported, I don’t have to carry the load. I can run and running has always been my passion.”
Born in Penang in 1959, SG built a career spanning engineering and business roles across Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, Hong Kong, China, Russia, and the United States. After more than 25 years with a Hong Kong-listed company, he retired last year. Outside of work, he has long enjoyed hiking and running, completing over 15 organised half-marathons across four continents, including one along the Great Wall of China.
In 2025, he completed the TCS Sydney Marathon, his first full marathon since the age of 28 with his son running alongside him in support.
Throughout their 37-year marriage, SG and Joo Lee shared a spirit of curiosity and adventure. They once attempted to buy an island in New Zealand and even auditioned for The Amazing Race Asia. Though neither plan materialised, they valued the thrill of trying and the time spent together.
Joo Lee, who studied Fine Arts in New Zealand and later explored creative pursuits such as painting and 3D pop-ups, embodied determination and playfulness. SG recalls a campervan trip in Japan, driving through mountain rain as he jokingly called her “crazy” for her unwavering determination to reach their destination. “It’s her determination that will push me forward on this journey,” he said.
When the run begins, her photograph taken during a half-marathon will travel with him.
“Even though she’s not here, I’ll carry her picture through every town.”
While Joo Lee battled gallbladder cancer, SG chose to dedicate Run For Gold to childhood cancer after visiting NCSM’s Home of Hope. The facility houses children from rural areas who travel to Kuala Lumpur for treatment, along with their caregivers often mothers who cannot afford accommodation. What he witnessed left a lasting impression.
“In developed countries, 80% to 90% of children with cancer survive. Here, the rate is closer to 30% to 40%,” he shared thoughtfully. “Often, it’s due to limited resources. Some families are forced to stop treatment halfway.”
As someone who served as his wife’s caregiver, SG understands the immense emotional, financial, and physical toll that illness places on families. But he believes caregivers, especially mothers, carry an even heavier burden.
“A mother’s love is unconditional. They will do whatever it takes. But the hardest part is feeling helpless.”
For SG, Run For Gold is about more than covering distance. It is about transforming grief into meaningful action. It is about honouring his wife’s memory by supporting children and families fighting their own battles. It is about easing the burden of caregivers who stand silently beside hospital beds.
“If you can save one life and help one person,” he reflected, “you’re actually saving two.”
Source / Image Credit : SAYS
