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:1As 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:2So 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:3No 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.
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Ong Teck Keong
