The organiser of the annual Penang Run has apologised to the state's Indian community for holding the event a day after Deepavali.
Actife Style Concept Sdn Bhd spokesperson Andrew Loh Lean Hock said the event was planned in March 2016, long before Deepavali.
"We were looking for a long weekend for runners to come for the run and the date also coincided with the national race calendar, " Loh said in a statement today.
"At the time, I didn’t realise that October 30 would be the day after Deepavali.
"I deeply regret having the event during the Deepavali celebration. I mean no disrespect to Indians in Penang."