Singapore Marathon 2008

I reached the City Hall Padang at around 4:30 am and there was another 1 hour before the race would be flagged off. Immediately checked in my luggage and headed towards the mobile toilets. Moved towards the staring area but the gate was not opened yet. Did some warm-up and at around 5.10 am I walked towards the start line when I found that runners were moving in to the enclosed starting area. The 1st chamber was reserved for the elite runners where the 2nd chamber seemed to be left empty intentional as a buffer zone to separate the elite and the rest of the runners. Just few minutes before 5.30am, the officials removed all the barriers separating the chambers and we were allowed to move forward behind the elite runners.

The gun went off sharp at 5.30 am with a brief count down, all runners heading west along the Raffles Quay. Took a U-turn at around 1.5 KM and headed towards the starting line along Robinson Road. I could see that there were still hundreds (perhaps thousands) of runners trying to pass through the start line.

I ran an easy pace and around an hour, I found myself running in the East Coast Park. As I moved eastward along the park, saw the elite runners returning on the other side of the park. I did not increase my pace because I knew that it was a long long way to go. It was quite pleasant running in the park at the dawn as I could see the sky slowly but surely became brighter and brighter as time went by.

Decided to take a toilet break at around the 18KM point, as I re-joined the race I soon saw Liew was returning from the other side. I estimated it was 3Km ahead of me! After taking the 20KM U-turn and running along the path closer to the sea, saw Victor Loh on the opposite side and trailing behind me about 1.5KM.

At around 8.20am at the 31KM, I turned into Stadium Road and found the road was crowd with the slower 21KM runners. I (as if running an obstacle race) have to duck around to find a clear path to move forward. My speed was affected by firstly my tiredness and secondly by the human traffic jam. Luckily it last only for about 3KM and then the full marathoners were separated from the half, immediately I tried to speed up a litter to compensate for the lost time.
As I was getting more and more tired, I hit the moving obstacles again (this time was much worst with thousands and thousands of 10KM women & 21KM runners) at the last 3 KM. Since I did not have much energy left to duck around, I just squeezed my way through the crowd. At one point, one young lady gave me a hard stare when my sweaty arm touched her “clean” shoulder.

At the 42KM mark, there was 192 meters more to run, the right lane was dedicated to the full marathoners, since there was so much space to maneuver, I increased my pace and sped to the finishing line where the clock shown 3:57:54. Although I was exhausted after the race but I felt quite relax and able to roam around the finishing areas. There were many queues for the 100plus drink and it took only a few second to get a chilling bottle. There was no problem getting a second bottle or more as the volunteer very effectively distributing the drinks.
The organizer really did a fantastic job, where you could found unlimited supply of banana and gels at the designated stations. The water stations were aplenty and the “extra long” arrays of tables could easily cater for a large crowd.

The graph below really shows that I was getting tired along the way as the pace decreases gradually.

The finishing medals and T-shirts were given out orderly as you walked out the enclosed area by returning the timing chips.

Collected back my luggage and rested for an hour without meeting any friends. As the weather became warm, and I decided to take the MRT back to my brother’s house.

PBIM 2008 - Endnotes

The Finishing Area Early in the Morning

Since every runners talking about the water, or lack of it during the PBIM, we will stage a protest walk to the Queenbay Mall

Have to Continue even without water

Hey! Where you get that bottle of water?

Slow Jog in the Morning ?

Our Future Stars compete with the "Serious Runners"

I have to rush back for a drink!

How to complete the run without water?

What an victory, we are back safely with all the constrains!

There is all from me! Bye PBIM 2008!

Penang Bridge International Marathon PBIM 2008 - My Race Report

The Taman Bukit Jalil gang charted a Tour Bus to ferry the 27 registered runners to the Penang Bridge Run. This is the first time I was going to a race with an “organized” group in a bus, I regretted immediately when I knew that we have to gather at Parkson OUG at an early hour of 6.00 am on Saturday morning. I have no chance to withdraw since I had paid the full fare before I knew the departure time, I protested to the coordinator many times by fell on deaf ear.

Saturday, 15th Nov 2008
Woke up when the alarm go off at 5.00 am still feeling very heavy after a late night at the PIKOM Diner at One World Hotel. Arrived at Parkson just before 6.00 am, met up with the gang and Gan offered me a banana for my breakfast (Another first having one banana for breakfast).

When everybody boarded the bus and I was feeling a bit strange to see an unfamiliar lady making some announcements. Soon I found out that our organizer, Datuk Chan, engaged a professional Tourist Guide to accompany us to the Run. Further to my surprise, I was handed an Agenda for the trip, I was officially going for a tour to the North.

Reached Prai at around 11.00 am and made a wrong decision to have lunch in Butterworth, we were caught at the Saturday mid-day jam at the entrance of Penang Bridge after the no-so-satisfy lunch. Fortunately, the collection of Bibs went very smoothly and we were being able to check in to the hotel with amble spare time. Most of us went to the pool for a swim and we went out to Gurney Drive to have diner around 7.00 pm.

Another shocking announcement was made on our way back to hotel after the diner, the bus would leave the hotel at 1.00 am so that we would be able to park in the designated carpark within the Queenbay. After analyzing the pros and cons, the group consent with the idea and those running the “Half” and the “Fun” had to put up a night on the bus (Another first, rent a hotel room and slept n the bus).

Sunday, 16th Nov 2008, the RACE DAY
The bus left the hotel at 1.20 am, slightly later than planned because many runners overslept (or should I say underslept) and missed the 1.00 am timeline. There were not much parking bay for the buses and we were lucky to get one of the slot. Our Marathoners lead by Mr. Chan and Mr. Chan (It has to be “Chan” to be qualified as a leader in our group), at least in my opinion then, went for an impossible mission. Half of them have not done a sub-six marathon and I expected them to be swept by the bus when the bridge needed to be re-opened for the traffic.

Stayed in the bus trying to catch some sleep and woke up hearing the gun go-off. Came down from the bus and could see the marathon runners heading towards Payan Lepas along the emptied Highway.

Ate 2 pcs of bread and went to the toilet at the back of the Mall, eased myself by still felt a bit un-comfortable inside my stomach after all the “tasty by notorious” Penang hawkers’ dishes consumed during Saturday night dinner. Went to the start area and do some warm up, checked in to the “unnecessary lockup” where there was little room for anyone to move around. Snaked out from the back as most runners did and roamed around the surrounding areas. By the time I realized that I have to move to the start line, there were already too many runners crowed around the front lines. I squeezed (very ungentlemanly of course) towards the front but have to settle at around 10 meters away from the start line.

Once the race flagged off for the Men 25KM, I tried very hard to maneuver forward zigzagged around many slower runners. It was almost 1KM down the road before the crowd thinned off. I decided to take it easy until I reached the bridge. I felt very relax with cool breeze blowing towards me from the sea and I sensed that this would be an enjoyable run for me this time compared to the hot weather last year. I had forgotten about the full marathoners until I caught up and talked to Wong SP, the Klang Pacer, that I realized some of them already on the bridge. He overtook him easily this time since he had ran half way in his full marathon and I was fresh for my 25KM.

I gladly grabbed a power gel from one of the volunteers but decided not to eat because my stomach was still feeling un-comfortable. This was one mistake that I made, I should not hold on to the gel and gave it to someone since I had decided not to eat it. Of course it would not slow me down by holding the gel in my hand for the next one and a half hour, but RM6 should not be able to compensate my discomfort during the run.

Further up the bridge, I easily overtook Tay PC and feeling great. This is the advantage of running the Half, thanks to the organizer for such an arrangement so that I could easily overtake anyone, of course, the “anyone” must be the one who ran the Full, Ha Ha!

The bridge did not look great with all the widening works, many street lights along the bridge were not functioning most probably due to the renovation works.

I did not felt the strain running up the bridge, I think the slope is very gentle compared to most races (Last year, I did have the same feeling). I felt more confident while I reached the middle of the bridge and continued to speed towards the mainland. This portion was mostly dark with few runners along the way and I reached the U-turn. Looked at the watch and it was slightly over an hour, took a wrist band from the check point after the U-turn and ran back to the island. I did feel some strain along the slope for the return journey, maybe this was the sign of tiredness.

After the middle of the bridge, I estimated it would be less than 7Km to go. At this stretch, I was being challenged by an un-familiar Chinese man in my category (Later I found out that he was a Singaporean), and I was feeling the stress in both my legs. When we were about to leave the bridge, another runner from our category zoomed past us. The Singaporean put up a great fight but I was a spent force and had to slow down slightly. Anyway I was quite satisfied with my 2 hrs 4 min and 30 sec result and had to settle for the 12th place.

After all our runners returned, I realized that there was serious shortage of water along the bridge while the organizer had to deploy the ambulance to deliver extra water to salvage the situation. And I just get to know that our famous photographer runner, Mr. Tey, was nearly murdered by the organizer! Water! Water! Water!

However our runners from the Taman Bukit Jalil group did enjoy the run with many of them achieved their PB. There is a secret , all our runners were well prepared and carry their own water, we do not have much expectation from almost every Race Organiser in Malaysia after many races.

Penang Bridge International Marathon PBIM 2008

Despite a very short time to plan and organise this event, the organiser did manage to put up a good show.

The major complain is the shortage of water along the way for the women 25KM and most of the Full Marathon runners. The 25KM male runners and all the 10KM runners should have much complaints.

There will be many people writing reports with lots of complain but I will trying to be different looking at the bright side. Since I was not personally affected by the shortcomings of the organiser, and indeed I am very much satisfied compare to last year. The good things were:

1. The collection of Bibs was very, very smooth although you did not have the choice for the right size shirt (This also happened in a more renown race like Singapore International Marathon 2008).

2. It is a very good idea to allow Fun Run to be registered during the Bib collection (when you have friends go along and last minute decide to be part of the event).

3. Good atmosphere as a race event, it is much more carnival like compare to the KLIM.

4. The races started (almost) on-time, should have no complaint from any runner.

5. Although the reporting was not planned & done well, the finishing is commendable. The finishers get their medals immediately after the run without having the trouble to go through a long queue (No comment on the quality of the medal).

6. The winners verification and prices were giving away before 9 am. All the international runners must be very happy (many of them won the prices).

7. The lucky draw was conducted very smoothly with winning numbers displayed in the "Ultra" big screen.

8. The results for all categories were published early Monday morning (the next day after he race. However only the 15 winners were published and I would see any possibility for them to publish results for other runners since they were not using the chip-based system.

9 Their web site was frequently updated prior and after the event, well done the IT team from the organising committee.

My race report will be posted soon!

IOI Community Run 2008

Date : 9th November 2008, Sunday
Time : 7:30 am
Venue : Bandar Puteri Puchong

Since I am staying in Puchong, this event should be top in my list but I have not taking part in this event since its launch in 2005. In the 1st year, I did not bother to register because it clashed with my favourite Mountain Bike Hash and there was no Senior Veteran Category to stimulate me to change my mind. In 2006, I registered for this event and seriously thinking not to miss it, however, I was too tired after the Lumut Powerman on Saturday. I stayed one more night in Lumut and missed the run. This year I decided to skip the Powerman Race so I did a last minute registration for Lit Jin, Kit Mun and me.

On the race day, Lit Jin, Kit Mun & I arrived at Bandar Puteri 10 min to seven, I parked my car quite a distant and checked to ensure I will not be blocked by the runners coming back since I have to leave immediately after the race. Jogged towards the starting line and saw many runners queueing up for reporting, continued with some warm-up stretching after handing over the reporting card. I became a bit nervous because there was no sign that the organiser intent to start the race at 7:30 am as stated in their agenda.

This was the first time I took part in this event and I was almost became a non-starter 3rd time! If the organiser further delayed the starting time, I would not be running since I promised Kit Mun that she will be at USJ Taipan by 8:45 am. It was fortunate that the organiser decided to flag off the "Open" categories slight passed 7:45 am. then followed by the veterans a few minutes later. I don't know what time they flagged of the school boys and girls but I believed that it was just before 8:00 am , otherwise, Kit Mun will not be running because she would not have enough time for the appointment in USJ Taipan.

Since I am staying in Puchong and very familiar with this area, I know what to expect and have an vivid image of the route in my mind. Starting quite slowly because I knew that I will not have any chance to get a medal, but slowly I started to accelerate (perhaps the atmosphere would not allow me to take it easy for the run). As usual, Tan Wah Seng came from behind and overtook me. I followed very closely and around 1 KM, I saw my running mate, Papaya Lee, just a few meters in front of me. Continued to push myself and I overtook him and he did not give a fight (otherwise I would have been looking for trouble). Not too far away, I also overtook my mentor, Tee EK (he is now much slower, maybe because of his lack of training).

After the junction that split between the 5.5 Km & 7.3 KM, only the veterans were along the way. I could clearly see the runners in-front of me, Tan Wah Seng, Tee (FTAAA) and Wong Soo Pin were not far away. At the far end, I could see Nachapan, followed by Ah San, Daneil Tan and two or three others. Every runners sped and did not want to slow down since this was a downhill slope. Soon we were reaching the finishing line and I found out that I just missed a position to get a medal. What luck did I have for this IOI Community Run!

P/S, it was not luck, I lost to much better runners.

I left the site at around 8:30 am with Kit Mun so I have no time to take any picture or lompak around!

Mizuno Wave Run 2008

Do you enjoy the run? I am sure most people will answer "YES" without any hesitation.

This is one of the well planned and well organised road race in Malaysia. It is quite an achievement to have a 10KM race attracting more than 3 thousand registered participants, any other road races that registered more than 3 thousand runners always include a substantial number of school children. Whereas this race only target the adult and the veteran.

The route is well chosen and this is the first time I am running the double-hill in the reverse direction. Since I am not a regular runner in this area, I am totally caught off-guard and do not know what to expect along the way. However I do enjoy the run very much and happy to complete the run in slightly less than 47 minutes.

I believe no event could be organised to satisfy everybody. Overall the event is successful and considered well managed and executed in most areas, but there are glaring short comings need to be overcome.

Firstly, the chaotic start because of the chip while every runners need to pass through the not-so-well-placed carpet, the sensor. I heard that Ronnie See has the video in his web site but I have not watch it yet.

Secondly, the long queue at the finishing line. I could not comprehend why a chip-based run should require the the runners to queue before the final timing is taken. The picture below shows that the runners have to wait for his turn to cross the sensor.

Thirdly, the quality of the chip is not that good. I would like to qualify this statement because the chip may be of high quality but the plastic cover is very flimsy for the purpose it designed to be used on a running shoe. I tried many ways to secure the chip to my shoe but I couldn't tighten my shoe lace, one of my friend from Hong Kong did put it on easily but with a price to pay. The organiser refused to return his deposit of RM10 because the plastic cover was damaged. You should look at the photo below to imagine how my friend secure the chip to his shoe!

However credit should be given to all the officials and volunteers to make this event successful, below are 2 photos showing the poor volunteers distribution goody bags to the large number of finishers.

The return of chip is very well planned and chairs are provided to the runners to un-tie their chips from the shoes.

The lighter side, Mr. Chan from our Tmn Bkt Jalil group with his blue-eye boy, oops sorry typo error, it should be blue-eye girl.

Mr. Yong, the poor Road Marshall under the hot sun.

A late starter, sprint all the all the way making for lost time!

Some of the "endurance" runners still going strong after more than an hour o the road under the hot sun!

New Balance Klang Pacers 12KM Run

There were practically no races organised during the Puasa month and the Hari Raya period, many runners were looking forward to this run.

This morning, I arrived very early and there were already many runners around the stadium chatting and warming up. Everyone looked fresh and energetic. It was a bit cloudy and it would be the perfect weather to have a race. (Note: I was wrong, many slower runners complained about the scotching sun in the later part of the race).

The race as usual started with the Men Open, Men Veteran and Men Senior Veteran flagging off first while the lady started slightly later to avoid over-crowding for the first few hundred meters.

I started together with Lok & Tan Wah Sing just few meters away behind the starting line. Once the whistle blown and I managed to squeezed through the crowd and taking quite a comfortable pace. Tan Wah Sing zoomed past me just after 1KM from the start line, I tried very hard to follow him but the pace was definitely too fast for me and I eased myself back to my comfort zone and have to let him break away from me.

Along the way, met Sham, Suresh and Chen from the Pacemaker, it was soon and reaching the water station, without wasting much time took a few sips of 100Plus and continued with the run. Since I couldn't find any distant marker, I was not so sure how long more to go when I reached the check point, collected a ribbon and heard someone reading out "C068", which I immediately reckon it was my number. The voice continue to read out "C101" and I was shocked there was this guy so close to be, I thought that there was nobody behind me since I did not heard any "heavy" breathing sound except my own. My sense told me that it must be Lok but I was wrong again and I saw Sowoto trying to overtake me. I increased my pace to match his and soon he eased out and let me took back the lead.

I sneak at my watch and it was closed to 40 minutes now, I heard some heavy breathing sound very close and I thought Sowoto was closing the gap again. But this time it was Lok that I was expecting all this while, we paced together until we saw the stadium on our right. He sped and soon opened up a big gap between us. I was lucky to finish at the 5th position for the Men Senior Veteran while Sowoto was just less than 100 meters behind me.

After collecting the price, went to breakfast with the Taman Bukit Jalil running mates (Managed to capture a few photo for the "Endurance" friends).

Green Run 10KM Route Map

Click on the image to enlarge.

Back To Nature Relay - 2008

Eddy SMSed me 1 week before the relay which would be held on the 14th September 2008, he was asking me to assemble some teams from Bukit Jalil to participate in this event. I did not go to the garden to run or meet up with the gang for about 2 months now after taking up a new assignment, I was very pessimistic that I could gather enough runners to form a team. I told Eddy that he had to work with either Ronny Yong or Mr. Ting for they are the de facto leaders in the Taman Bukit Jalil running gang. I would not be running for any Tmn Bkt jalil team this time because I had committed earlier to be in the “Cool Runner” team.

At our Moon Cakes Festival gathering in Taman Bukit Jalil on Thursday, 11th September 2008, I was so surprise that Ronny told me that they would be sending 9 teams to the RELAY. What 9 Relay Teams from Taman Bukit Jalil? How can it be possible! What a pity John Chow was not available for the run, otherwise we would have a very strong “OPEN” team in John, Liew and Lee Sze Wei. Picture below shows are the team members from Taman Bukit Jalil, they are out for a pinic in the park or taking part in a “Road Relay Race", your guess is as good as mine!

The Taman Bukit Jalil Relay Teams – Photo by PM Tey

On the race day, since Naido had committed to go there early, Tee came and picked me up at 6 am. sharp although the relay would be starting only at 7.30 am. We were at Taman Metropolitan Batu around 6.30 am. Where there were very few people in the park. A few kids with their overly expensive (at least one Cannondale, not the one-side fork design) mountain bikes roaming in the park, these bikes should be out in the wilderness to justify their existence. I suddenly realized that I have spent so much time running and have not ride for a long time, my last ride was few months back in the “Ipoh Fellowship Ride”. Mountain biking is definitely becoming a popular sport in Malaysia. Picture below shows a very unique Cannondale F1 with a one-sided fork holding the wheel, I had seen this design in KSH and the “Ipoh Fellowship Ride 08” if I remembered correctly.
At around 7.10 am, we walked to the start line which is actually outside the Metropolitan Park. Runners were busy collecting their bibs and pinned those bibs to their vest. Runners took the opportunity to warm up running around near the start line while some of us trying to look for some bushes so that we could answer the nature calls.

The relay started slightly late at around 7.50 am, since I would be the last runner in my team, I continued to do some warm up. After about 12 minutes, most 2nd and 3rd runners crowded at the transition area knowing that the 1st runner would be coming back anytime. The 1st runner coming back was a young runner from Negri Sembilan followed very closely by our elite Senior Veteran, Thurei in 13 plus minutes.

Tee took over the baton from Thurei and move on, photo by PM Tey.

When I received the baton from Tee, I sprinted off immediate trying to catch up with the young runner about 20 to 30 meters I front of me. Although there were 53 teams in this competition, I noticed that the trail was very empty along the way. Overtook 1 lady runner at around 1 KM, I saw May just 30 to 40 meters in front of me. After overtaking May, the young runner in front of me increase the pace and our gap started to increase. I tried and to slow down and along the way overtaking a few more slower runners. Approaching the 3 KM point after overtaking Datin and a litter boy, I saw Naresh being overtaken by the young guy in front of me. I have never seen Naresh running so slow before!

Finally, I was at finishing line, photo taken in PM Tey’s album.

The Prize Presentation took a long time because it was time consuming to presnt all the medals to more than 150 runners.

Taman Bukit Jalil Neighborhood Run - 4th May 2008

Pictorial Story of "Larian Neighbourhood Taman Bukit Jalil", pictures taken by Kit Mun.

Key elements :- Community, Friendship, Family and Teamwork.

Tan Khee Meng's Friends from Permaisuri

Kelvin Tan and his family

The Lee's Family

Ida's and her Lovely daughters

Friends flanked by Johnathan and Ah Choong

The Core Team

Chan Weng Kwai and Friends

Ronny and Friends


Pre-Dawn :- The anxiety is over where actions about to begin

Chan Weng Kwai looks worried at the Reporting Counter - How many runners will turn up?

The Early Birds - Johnathan Lian and his brother

Pre-Race Warm-up

VIP - The race will not flag off ontime without them

Pre-Race Briefing - "This is not a race".

Will anyone takes his word seriously?

Runners waiting patiently at the Start Line


The Actions Begin - The First Kilometer

Siew Chin Phui was Tailing Behind Ronnie See

Jeremiah Joseph and Low Kuan Haur trying to breakaway

Lian (Johnathan's Brother) trying to breakaway from
Chuang and Pak.


Fast and Fury - The Podium's Contenders ?

Moment of Truth - The Finishing Line

Omar Khaliff was so happy and flew over the finishing line

Eddy Choo - Powerful Finishing

Chong Hee Voon was dashing to the Finishing Line


The Champions

Geraldine - The Women's Champion


Men's Champion - Jasni


The Lucky Draw's Winners & Happy Moment