DISTRICT RACE BY AIA VITALITY IS NOW IN MALAYSIA

[KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 20, 2019] – District Race, the world’s greatest urban exploration race, presented by AIA Vitality made its Malaysian debut in Kuala Lumpur today. First launched in Singapore in 2018, District is a ground-breaking technology platform that encourages people to lead active, healthy lifestyles by providing an engaging and fun urban exploration experience through the District Race app.

Ben Pember, Chief Executive Officer of District Technologies said: “Having conducted successful District Races in Hong Kong and Singapore, we are excited to finally introduce District Race to Malaysia. By offering Malaysians a brand new urban exploration experience, we hope to enable active living and allow everyone to develop a greater appreciation of their cities. District Race is designed for anyone and everyone, and we believe that District Race is a great starting point to motivate people to get out and rediscover what their cities have to offer.”

Heng Zee Wang, Chief Marketing Officer of AIA Malaysia echoes his sentiments: “Maintaining a regular workout regime and an active lifestyle can be quite challenging for the current generation. Our work and family commitments plus long commutes often are barriers to us being able to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This is why AIA is excited to bring District Race to Malaysia for the first time ever – as a platform that enables Malaysians to explore their cities in a whole new way with their families and friends. We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to empower Malaysians to lead healthier, longer and better lives, and District promises a ground-breaking experience for everyone.”

The World’s Greatest Exploration App

District Race app is an experiential technology platform that is redefining running and urban exploration through gamification. By combining cutting-edge augmented reality and location-based technology, the District Race app brings cities to life in an immersive urban exploration race. 

Explorers can use the District Race app to navigate their way through the city, collecting as many points as possible by clearing virtual checkpoints and challenges. With no set route and set distance, explorers can create their own strategy and choose how they explore their cities.

From young urbanites looking to rediscover the city to elite runners who want to conquer a brand-new challenge or even families looking for a fun, healthy and educational experience together, District Race is designed to be an unforgettable experience for all.

Pre-event engagement to hype up the main race

The main race day will be held on 3^rd November 2019 in Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur with ticket prices ranging from RM60 to RM130, including Early Bird and Regular ticket prices. Before the finale in Kuala Lumpur, the race will go live in stages across Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Melaka and Johor Bahru. Virtual checkpoints called ‘grids’ will be set up across these locations, allowing everyone to explore for free and have an amazing opportunity to experience the District Race before the finale. These grids will go live between 21 June and 20 October and give explorers the chance to win exciting prizes as they go out, explore and rediscover their cities.

A series of community events known as #ExploreEvents will also be held at these four cities, and will feature themed virtual districts. Each district offers different challenges that highlight landmarks, as well as the culture and heritage of each city.

Start exploring with the District Race app and be rewarded

District Race will be launching the Ultimate Explorer Challenge in Malaysia to encourage people to get out, explore, and level up their fitness.  The person who scores the most points by completing  District grids in Malaysia from 17^th June to 2^nd November 2019 will be rewarded with a round the world trip for them to try out our District Grids in more than 15 cities around the world.^[1] This aligns with the mission of enabling everyone to go further, do more, and explore. The winner of this challenge will be announced at the main race day on 3^rd November. 

In addition, Explorers who download the app and complete at least five grids between 17th June and 31st July will also receive a free ticket to District Race Kuala Lumpur on 3^rd November. 

The world’s greatest urban exploration race

Explorers can opt to join either of the two categories – Discovery and Open – on the main race day, as individuals or in teams of four. Both categories vary in terms of difficulty and the number of checkpoints.

The Open category is a classic category which has been created for those wanting to explore new places around their city and compete in new challenges – it comes with over 100 checkpoints and challenges to complete in two hours.

The Discovery category on the other hand, is a family-friendly grid that is recommended for beginners. This grid introduces Explorers to District Race with a smaller grid and a shorter one-hour mission, with over 50 checkpoints and challenges located around the Base location.

Each category includes three types of challenges that have to be completed, namely the Scan Challenge, Discovery Challenge, and Time Trial Challenge. Each challenge will test the explorers’ skills such as speed, knowledge of the city, dexterity and problem-solving. To complete these challenges, explorers will have to strategise and plan their own routes, choosing the checkpoints that will maximise their points.