Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak braved the rain to flag off participants of the '9 to 5' Young Workers' Run ('9TO5 Run) here today.

Even though he did not participate in the event, Najib who arrived at 7.20 am was attired in sports wear and wore a cap.

In his brief speech, he said healthy workers were very important to raise productivity and among the vital factors to ensure good health was through exercise.

"Among the causes of good health are to diligently exercise, taking part in healthy lifestyle and have a healthy mind to become productive workers," he said.

Some 16,800 people participated in the event, jointly organised by Koperasi Profesional Putrajaya Berhad (Koprojaya) and Persatuan Belia Pekerja Muda (BPM).

The event is an initiative of young professionals and officers in the public service and private sector as part of efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle among workers, aged 18 to 40 years.

It also broke the Malaysia Book of Records as 'the most number of unions participating in a run' as workers from over 50 workers' organisations from the public and private sectors took part.

BPM president, Dazma Shah Daud said organisers had targeted 10,000 participants but it exceeded 16,800 individuals.