On 25 October 2025, the much-anticipated IMU Chariofare 2025 brought together students, staff, runners, and the wider community under one inspiring theme — “Miles for Meaning.” This year’s event was not only a celebration of health and compassion but also marked a historic milestone as IMU’s first-ever Zero Waste event.

Since its humble beginnings in 2012, Chariofare has grown into IMU’s largest student-led charitable initiative, blending the excitement of a charity run and carnival with the true spirit of giving back. The 2025 edition stood out for its incredible energy and purpose — uniting more than 1,000 participants and visitors reflecting strong community spirit and 420 runners came together in support of compassion, sustainability, and community spirits

The lively carnival showcased over 30 booths, hosted primarily by IMU students and departments, alongside several external partners. The day was packed with fitness, fun, and meaningful engagement, featuring new highlights such as a wellness Pound session, rock climbing, and a dedicated Sustainability & Planetary Health Zone. Visitors enjoyed interactive booths, hands-on workshops, games, and lucky draws — creating a truly engaging and educational experience for all.

Chariofare 2025: Miles for Meaning brought the IMU community together in an event of compassion and purpose, successfully raising a total of RM70,196 for meaningful community impact. The School of Pharmacy emerged as the Top Earnings Winner, reflecting the strong engagement and generosity of its staff and students.

The proceeds will go towards three key beneficiaries that reflect IMU’s unwavering commitment to health, inclusivity, and planetary well-being:

• Deaf Community – Supporting accessibility, awareness, and empowerment through education and inclusivity initiatives.
• Diabetes-Focused Initiatives – Promoting awareness, prevention, and support for individuals affected by diabetes while encouraging healthier lifestyles and early intervention.
• Planetary Health Initiatives – Advancing sustainability and environmental stewardship through community-driven green projects and eco-education programmes.

By supporting these causes, Chariofare 2025 continues IMU’s proud tradition of making a tangible and lasting impact through compassion, education, and community engagement.

Runners of all ages took part in the 3KM, 5KM, and 10KM categories, beginning their journey from the IMU Bukit Jalil Campus (LiT Block) and looping through the scenic MRANTI Park.

The day began with an energetic warm-up led by the IMU Chiropractic team, followed by the flag-off for each race category. At the finish line, participants were greeted with eco-friendly plantable seed medals — made from recycled paper embedded with seeds — a thoughtful token symbolising growth, renewal, and IMU’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

From morning till afternoon, the Chariofare carnival buzzed with excitement — featuring food stalls, games, fitness challenges, and live performances. The event radiated IMU’s signature vibrancy, fostering camaraderie among students, staff, and the public in a shared celebration of health, sustainability, and community spirit.

This year’s Chariofare was remarkable not only for its energy but also for its groundbreaking sustainability achievements:

• Zero Waste Event:
  In collaboration with GZW Return, Chariofare 2025 achieved 100% waste diversion from landfills, with 75 kg of waste collected and processed into approximately 5.52 kg of inert ash, avoiding an estimated 0.134 tCO₂e in greenhouse gas emissions — setting a new benchmark for sustainable event management at IMU University.
• Planetary Health & Sustainability Zone:
  Featuring 10 internal and external exhibitors, this zone offered interactive workshops on sustainability, One Health, and Planetary Health. Visitors also received free plants to promote sustainable living practices at home.
• Paper Seed Medals:
  Eco-friendly medals made from recycled paper embedded with seeds — symbolising regeneration, growth, and IMU’s dedication to sustainability.
• Repurpose Medal Project:
  A total of 2 kg of used medals were collected and recycled, diverting metal waste from landfills and reducing approximately 385 kg of CO₂ emissions.

The LiT Block came alive with a festive atmosphere as attendees enjoyed an array of food and beverage stalls, interactive games, and wellness booths.

Health-conscious visitors took advantage of spinal assessments and nutrition consultations at the health screening booths — reinforcing IMU’s strong commitment to preventive healthcare and community well-being.

The day’s excitement reached its peak during the lucky draw sessions, where participants walked away with fantastic prizes including a Dyson purifier, LED TV, and iPhone 16 — closing the event on a high note filled with smiles, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

More than just a charity run, Chariofare 2025 stood as a movement of change — celebrating health, sustainability, and compassion. Through this student-led initiative, IMU continues to inspire meaningful action and create opportunities that support the Deaf community, diabetes-focused programmes, and planetary health initiatives.

The event truly embodies IMU’s core values of service, innovation, and community impact — proving that every mile run can create a lasting difference.

With its strong community-driven spirit, Chariofare 2025: Miles for Meaning reaffirmed IMU’s commitment to building a healthier, greener, and more compassionate world.

As the Chariofare legacy continues, IMU looks forward to next year’s event — where students will once again carry forward the torch of giving, health, and sustainability, inspiring others to join the journey toward a better tomorrow.

Written by Ayushi Das, Chief of Events and Fundraising, IMU Chariofare 2025 Committee