Ipoh International Run - 5/7/2009

A series of blunder marred the Ipoh International Run at Stadium Indera Mulia yesterday morning.An unexpected early down pour brought the whole situation into a chaotic event.

Blunder No:1
As there was no sign of when the rain would stopped,the emcee announced that the flag off would be delayed for 15 minutes.The actual starting time for both 21k and 10k categories were at 6.45am simultaneously.Several minutes later runners were told to assemble at the starting line under the rain with the impression that the race was going to start soon.

After about 10 minutes of waiting under the cold and soaking wet condition,some runners began to boo at the organizer demanded the race to be flag off.Some runners were seen shivering and trembling out of cold.

But the ignorant organizer pay no attention at all and it was not sure what was announced over the sound systems or somebody was giving a speech as the noise and din were getting louder.The irresponsible organizer did not care for the runners' health as the waiting game went on for about another 15 minutes and it was nearly 7.30am when suddenly a dark skinned man grinned and waved at the runners before he gunned off the run.

Blunder No:2
So off the runners,both categories and the first problem arose after about 2km of run.A diversion for 21k runners to go right but there was no sign board.A few of the road marshalls were there to direct the runners but some confused half marathoners ran straight together with the 10k runners.

The rest of the race was like usual with a water station along the running route but a sponging station for 10k..?I believed it was meant for 21k runners but we ran separately.

And now the best part of the blunder.The 10k front runners comprised of our national long distance runners,Muniandy and Shaharudin Hashim,Jayakumar - our hero in the SCKLM last week and several elite runners were wrongly guided into the half marathon's route.

At the finishing line,to their horror,they were given position cards that did not reflect the actual run and they were robbed of their prizes.Imagined our Jayakumar completed a 10k run in 102th position!

Heard a protest was lodged but not very sure of the consequence.

Blunder No:3
No medals or certificates were given at the finishing line.Unlike SCKLM,the organizer chose to distribute the medals and certificates under one canopy.All counter desks representing respective categories were narrowly placed close to each other.There were over 10 categories.

Misleading informations were spread over the air that all runners would be rewarded a medal and a certificate of participation.Soon,everyone started to built up a long queue especially the 'D' category (10k men open).Impatient runners after long wait under the rising sun soon turned the whole situation into an ugly scene.Pushing and shoving,some angry and frustrated runners bang on the desks when learnt that the officials in charge refused to give them medals.

Emotions ran high as shouting and yelling were exchanged and some runners even challenged a police officer.Desks were toppled and those 7k runners began to intrude into the canopy area to demand for their promised medals and certificates.

It was as though everyone was fighting for food.To make matter worse,some arrogant officials packed and threatened to leave the scene with medals in their bags.

Later some police personels were deployed to calm the situation and started to distribute the certificates.And those deserve to win medals finally got theirs after more than an hour ordeal.

It was a day filled with embarrassment and disgrace for those avid runners who travelled from all over Malaysia to participate in the worst organised race event.And I doubt many would return next year if they ever organise again.

Read more here

Standard Chartered KL Marathon - 28/06/2009

KPAC's proud moment - Jayakumar's podium finish at SCKLM 2009


Jayakumar - in action last April at the Orange Run
Photo courtesy of pmtey2

The best achievement so far in the recent years by a local KPAC member,Jayakumar A/L Ramasamy did,not only the club proud but the entire running community in Klang.His magnificent feat of 2h 46m 19s won him the third placing in the Malaysian's category for full marathon yesterday at Dataran Merdeka behind two of our nation best long distance runners Muniandy Ramadass and Shaharudin Hashim.And for his great effort,he won US1,000.00

Jayakumar was voted as the best male athlete early this year by our board of committee and of course he is heading for a double.A talented and disciplined runner,the friendly Jayakumar improved through his hard work training along with members and his buddies at Padang Sultan Sulaiman.

Standard Chartered KL Marathon - 28/06/2009

Dataran Merdeka
Kuala Lumpur

Despite the huge response given by both the foreign and local runners,the organizer failed in its duty to create a more lively running atmosphere.The Dataran Merdeka was unusual quiet unlike most of the running events held here before.

No loud music and vigorous warm up session,runners were seen yawning in the canopies resembled diners waiting to be served in a Chinese wedding dinner.Even the event's commentators got too little to say.

Only about 50 KPAC members registered for this inaugural SCKLM and half of them signed up for the full marathon.Most of them performed rather well and their hard works of training were paid off.Congratulations!

The cool and fresh breezy wet condition was an advantage to many amid the humid and hazy weather nowadays.

Along the route,water stations were aplenty and mobile toilets were available at certain distances.There were road markers for the full marathon but there was none for the 21km category.

The full,half and 10k runners met at Jalan Istana.The 10k runners made up more than half of the registered participants and they occupied and blocked almost the entire reserved running route along the highway.

The full and half marathoners had to navigate themselves to avoid bumping into the slow 10k runners.It was an irritating experience to run in and out among those walking side by side.

Medals collection at the finishing line was a new procedure to many.You need to ask around where to collect your deserved medals.

Read more here for the latest news and here for top finishers of all categories

Results-KPAC members only

Men Full Marathon
No:003--2h 46m 19s---Jayakumar (Malaysian's category)
No:000--3h 46m 30s---Siow Kek Kiong
No:000--3h 49m 11s---Naresh Kumar
No:000--3h 54m 48s---Ter Yew Tiong
No:000--3h 56m 20s---Lim Boon Wah
No:000--4h 17m 17s---Seah Leong San
No:000--4h 18m 06s---Lee Chue Siew
No:000--4h 25m 05s---Tan Swee Sing
No:000--4h 25m 30s---Tan Beng Kuan
No:000--4h 28m 14s---Wong Soon Pin
No:000--4h 32m 48s---Ong Teck Keong
No:000--4h 45m 51s---Seah Leong Hong
No:000--5h 10m 02s---Ng Hock Lee
No:000--5h 17m 35s---Hansom Quek

Men Half Marathon
No:000--1h 46m 01s---Lingam
No:000--1h 56m 00s---Suresh
No:000--2h 02m 18s---Tee Kuan Meng
No:000--2h 13m 00s---Lim Sam Hang
No:000--2h 19m 00s---Lim Chong Pin

Women Half Marathon
No:000--2h 12m 00s---Sia Lay Cheng
No:000--2h 24m 00s---Robiyatul

Race Pack Collection SCKLM

The organizer promises a better and more efficient way to handle the bib collection after receiving so many complains and grouses yesterday.Read the excerpt below from the e mail we received last night.

Dear Runners,

Only one day to go and for those who have not yet collected race packs; do come down to Dataran Merdeka between 11.00 am and 5.00 pm tomorrow. We promise you all a much better experience and todays problems are all ironed out.
Over 5,100 of you already picked up your race packs today.. if you were affected by the backlog which was due to the rain causing our systems to shortcircuit, our sincerest apologies.

Meanwhile as long as you bring your registration confirmation slip, containing Race ID and your NRIC/passport, you should be able to collect your pack without a hitch.

Marathon Team

All the best to KPAC members,friends and fellow runners who are participating in tomorrow's run and enjoy the race.

Parking On Race Day SCKLM - 28/06/2009

From Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009

We recommend that your park your cars at the designated eight RapidKL shuttle pick-up points and take the buses from there.However, if you really must drive, you can park at parking bays in the Dataran Merdeka underground parking, Daya Bumi, and Padang Merbuk.

Please note however that if you're planning to park in the Dataran Merdeka underground you can only park before 4.30am and leave after 11.30am.

For Daya Bumi, you must park before 6.00am and can only leave after 11.00am.

For Padang Merbuk, you can park and leave anytime.You can also park at other venues, ex. Lake Gardens, but they are further away than the three cited above.

We will provide updates on road closures as soon as we can, but for now, we can tell you that the marathon route itself will be closed to traffic between 5.00am and 11.00am on 28 June 2009

By courtesy of Der Pacemakers Network

DiGi-Pacesetters Kuantan TC 10k Run

To all KPAC members who are interested to take part in the above run,please contact our president-Mr SP Wong (012 310 1379) for registration/transport and Mr Seah Leong San (012 223 4110) for accommodation.Please hurry....limited rooms available and it's a first come first serve basis.

der Pacemakers Circuit Run 3 (Final)

Taman Bukit Jalil
Kuala Lumpur


It was more like a social gathering for runners at Taman Bukit Jalil last night.More than a hundred runners turned up for this night run that marked the final circuit run organised by the 'Der Pacemakers Network' before the much anticipated SCKLM 2009.

Runners were required to complete a 7 laps of 3.2 km each which covers 22.4km around the park with series of climb to test their endurance.Unfortunately the distance was slightly cut short when a tree fell on the running path on the very first lap.Luckily no one was hurt.

In the absence of several key runners,Jasni Khairil lead the pack from the start and subsequently emerged as the first runner to cross the finishing line.Many were seen walking only after 3 laps of run and some even did not complete theirs.

The environment was a little bit hazy,no thanks to the current open burning activities abroad.And to add salt to the wound,the local authorities still unable to curb our own illegal burning especially along the Kesas Highway towards Port Klang.

A simple event with a small budget,yet runners were rewarded with beautiful 'gold' plated finisher trophies and also treated to a light supper after the run.

KPAC was represented by our president,SP Wong,Kamaruzaman and myself.This was the first night run we'd ever participated.Thanks to Mr Ronnie See,the race director for allowing us to take part at the 11th hour.

The distance proved too much for Kamaruzaman and he gave up with one more lap to go.With no proper training due to the preparation of the recent NBKP half marathon,SP Wong was experiencing cramps but managed to 'dragged' himself to settle at 30th position.