FRENCHMAN Peter Lautredoux proved he still had the legs to stay ahead of younger challengers at the New Balance-Klang Pacers half marathon at SP Setia’s flagship development in Bandar Setia Alam on Sunday.
The 43-year-old former international long distance runner clocked 1’12:30 to come in first over the 21km distance, emerging champion in the men’s veteran (40 to 49 years) category.
Following a slow start, Lautredoux said, he picked up the tempo 45 minutes into the race.
“The competition today was not as stiff, and the frontrunners decided to take it easy in the early stage of the run. After setting a leisure pace, it was tough to step up again. I needed a big push to initiate the breakaway and I am delighted to win the race. Although the weather was a bit hazy, the organisers had picked a flat route and the exceptional traffic control helped to ensure the participants’ safety,” he added.
Local runner R. Muniandy of Team New Balance and Nicholas Merica from Kenya were in the leading pack, but the duo faded off and dropped back towards the end of the race.
“As the Kenyan (Merica) joined me to surge forward, we agreed to approach the finish line together. But, when I saw him struggling in the final two kilometres, I decided to go on my own because Muniandy was catching up and he could have beaten me in a sprint finish,” said Lautredoux, who has been residing in Malaysia for the past five years.
Well done: Kota Anggerik assemblyman Yaakob Sapari (left) presenting the prize to the women’s open 21km winner, Beatrice Karsorto. Meanwhile, Muniandy won the men’s open (above 16 years) event with a time of 1’12:55, followed by Merica (1’13:30) and M. Arul Thevar (1’14:40) in second and third respectively.
The event drew 1,500 participants, including entries in four categories – men’s open (13 to 39 years), men’s veteran (above 40 years), women’s open (13 to 34 years) and women’s veteran (above 35 years) – of the 4.5km fun run.
The top five finishers in the five categories – men’s open, men’s veteran (40 to 49 years), men’s senior veteran (above 50 years), women’s open (above 16 years) and women’s veteran (above 35 years) – of the 21km run received cash vouchers from New Balance.
In addition, the top three finishers in the men’s open (above 13 years) and women’s open (above 13 years) categories of the 11km event were also rewarded with cash vouchers.
Klang Pacers Athletic Club (KPAC) president S.P. Wong said they took seven months to prepare for the event and it was a tough task accommodating the increased participation.
“Previously, we had organised our meets at Stadium Padang Sulaiman in Klang, but now we have found an alternative location for our events here. We are also encouraging our club members to train here every Sunday,” he added.
They are also planning to host the upcoming third Run For It event over the 12km distance, which is scheduled to for Nov 8, at the same venue.
By courtesy of The Star Newspaper
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