Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Chow Kon Yeow with the winners of the I Love Penang logo contest in George Town March 8, 2017. — Picture by Opalyn Mok

GEORGE TOWN, March 8 — In an overwhelming display of affection for Penang, over 10,000 people have signed up to take part in the “I love Penang Run” this Sunday and forcing the state government to close registration.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state had extended the number of participants to 4,000 but is unable to accept anymore entries due to space constraints.

“We can’t accept any more participants as there is not enough space along Beach Street for so many people,” he told a news conference here today.

Lim said he will also be participating in the 7km run along with all of the state executive councillors.

The “I Love Penang” campaign was launched last month in response to federal minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor’s wish to make Penang a federal territory.

Separately, an “I love Penang” logo design contest as part of the state campaign drew 188 entries nationwide, tate executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow said.

Soon Cai Ling, 23, won the grand prize of the contest and walked away with a RM2,000 cash prize.

Yip Haw Yee, 31, won RM1,500 for second place and Lee Yin Pin, 25, won third place of RM1,000.

Some of the logos will be used for the state’s “I Love Penang” campaign merchandise that includes T-shirts and banners to promote the campaign.