The annual Bursa Bull Charge 2016, a running event that gathers Malaysia's CEOs as well as youths and young executives, has raised RM1.9 million, exceeding its initial target of RM1.8 million.

Bursa Malaysia Bhd CEO Datuk Seri Tajuddin Atan said the funds generated this year would be channelled to 10 deserving beneficiaries and 28 philanthropies.

"The total number of participants this year has also increased to 2,022 from 1,800 runners last year," he told reporters at the event here, today.

The flag-off for the 5km run of the Bursa Bull Charge 2016 at the Bursa Malaysia building today. - Astro AWANI/Syamim Hasni
This year, the two main classes of beneficiaries and philanthropies were children and women, he said.

Tajuddin said 40 percent of the runners for this year's edition were female, echoing the call to action for businesses to advance women's empowerment and gender equality, from the boardroom to the marketplace.

Already in its third year, the Bursa Bull Charge is a corporate social responsibility programme that involves not only Bursa Malaysia but also public listed companies.

Representatives of the beneficiaries of the Bursa Bull Charge 2016. - Astro AWANI/Syamim Hasni