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.