SPECTATORS' GUIDE TO Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2016.

SPECTATORS' GUIDE TO Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2016.

Do you have a loved one or friends that will cheer and support you during the marathon? There is nothing like a familiar face when you are digging deep during the race to boost your morale.

Here I am presenting the first ever spectators’ guide to SCKLM. As per last year , the LRT will start operating at 3am and the good news is that from 3am to 6am, the LRT is free.

If you are supporting your loved one or friend , you can park and ride from any of the LRT stations and send them off at The Dataran Merdeka. The flag off for the marathon is at 4 am.

After the flag off, hurry back to the Masjid Jamek LRT Station and take the train to KLCC LRT Station. You have to hurry because the 5:30 pace group will appear at corner of Jalan Ampang turning into the KLCC in just 23mins or at 4:23am. If you think that you can't make it in 23mins, take the LRT directly to Jelatek LRT station.

From Jelatek LRT Station walk in the direction to Jalan Ampang or towards Great Eastern Mall, the 5:30 pace group will go up to the Akleh Highway at 5:10am. This is at the KM 9 mark. After that go to the opposite direct of the Akleh over Jalan Jelatek.The 5:30 pace group will pass the same way towards MRR2 at 6:12 am which is Km17.

After that, take the LRT just one stop to Setiawangsa LRT Station, walk towards the Duke Highway. The 5:30 pace group will pass this point under Jalan Jelatek or the KM24 mark at 7:07 am.After that , the runners will be on their own on the Duke Highway. You can either take your car and go and cheer them at the Segambut roundabout towards Jalan Duta. The 5:30 pace group will pass the roundabout at 8:18 am which is Km33. Thereafter, you can drive towards the National Museum and wait for us at the bridge towards KL Sentral at 9:12am. I believe the TPRC Running Group had a support station here in 2014.

If you don’t have a car, take the LRT back to Masjid Jamek Station. Walk towards Bank Negara, the marathoners will come out from Jalan Tun Ismail and turn right into Jalan Parlimen. This is the 37.5km mark and the 5:30 pace group will appear at 8:53am.

After that, you can head back to the finishing line or maybe wait for us at the Bukit Aman Tunnel, we will pass this tunnel around 9:25 am so that all us can finish the 42.195km around the city of Kuala Lumpur at 9:30am.

See you guys there on the 7th of August 2016.tt

By Kin K Yum 

Reproduced with permission. If you wish to know more about SCKLM 5:30 hours pacer, you can click the facebook link " Kin K Yum " to follow KK.  

Tips to a successful completion 5:30 pace group in SCKLM with awesome pacers 2016.

It's less than a month to Standard Chartered KL Marathon. Here are the tips to a successful completion with the 5:30 pace group with Kelvin Ng Ch,Azhar Omran, Ahmad Hadafi Bin Jus and I.

This group’s balloon is Orange Colour. This group is suited for those who are doing their FIRST Marathon.

However, the person who’s attempting this pace should has :
1) Been running regularly and has completed at least three to five Half Marathons.
2) Been able to complete a half marathon in 2:30 or less.
3) Done a long run of 30km at least once prior to the marathon. For those who haven’t done it, the Newton 30km on 23rd July is very suitable for SCKLM 2016.

The targets for each 10km of the marathon are as follows
10km - 1:18
20km - 2:36
30km - 3:54
40km - 5:12
42km - 5:30

Please note that we will stop at every drink station , we might run slightly under this pace to cater for stoppage time. However, we do target to complete the marathon in 5:30 GUN TIME.

Note that we are running in smaller steps up hill so naturally we will slow down. The hills that we are going to encounter are:-
1) From Beach Club to The Weld on Jalan P Ramlee at km 4.
2) Jelatek Ramp entrance to Akleh at km 9.
3) Ulu Klang Ramp entrance to Duke Highway. This is the halfway point at KM21.
4) Jalan Kuching Ramp to Segambut Roundabout at km 33.
5) Jalan Langgak Tunku after Tijani Condo climbing to Jalan Tun Ismail at KM 34.
6) At KM 37.5, you will pass the Bank Negara and can almost feel the finishing point at Dataran Merdeka. You are NOT DONE yet, turn right into Jalan Parlimen for your last 4.7km
7) After you pass the Parliament Building, that’s a gradual climb along the newly constructed Mahameru Highway tunnel all the way to the National Museum.
8) This is the start of the Heritage Route. Please enjoy this part of the route for you have earned it. You will pass the latest and most luxurious hotel in KL, the St Regis followed by the grand hotel, The Majestic which was first built by the Sarkies brothers who also built The Raffles in Singapore, The E&O in Penang and The Peninsula in Hong Kong. On your right , you will see the icon of Kuala Lumpur which is the old Railway Station and the old railway office built in Moorish style followed by The National Mosque.
9) The last 200m, we will pass the Bukit Aman Tunnel, Make some noise, it has the best echo effect of all tunnels in KL.

Tips to prepare for the day.
1) Get sufficient sleep throughout the whole week leading to the marathon. You will be too excited to get a good night sleep on Saturday night.
2) Try to start carbo loading on Thursday. Simple carbohydrates such as Rice, Pasta, Bread etc. Avoid red meat on Saturday. It will take more energy to digest these food and it will sap the energy you need for the run.
3) Plan your nutrition and hydration properly for the marathon. You need a belt to carry these nutrition and some small change.If you feel hungry during the run, it is normal. If you feel bloated, then you are in trouble.
4) If you need to pee, check the colour. if it’s too dark, please drink more water. The urge to pee also means that you are properly hydrated.
5) Come for the 5km Friendship Run on Saturday to shake out those legs and sign up for the Pasta Party to meet new friends from all over the world.

KEEP CALM AND RUN

By Kin K Yum 

Reproduced with permission. If you wish to know more about SCKLM 5:30 hours pacer, you can click the facebook link " Kin K Yum " to follow KK.  

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2016

The thought of joining Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon (SCHKM) 2016 were pop up in mind when i saw the facebook updates back in 2015 that 2016 will be the 20th anniversary year of SCHKM !!!

i thought why not joining this SCHKM this round on this special occasion ! A chit chat with friend found out that SCHKM is a very popular hot demand marathon in Hong Kong or Malaysia (at least among my running community)

Registration was fall on 25 Sept 2015, Friday. Somehow on Friday morning, i automatically wake up at 5:30am and get ready everything for work and im sitting in front my computer at 6:40am. Its the time im waiting for it, but somehow somewhere inside my mind have different thought!

I opened up the website and keep refreshing start from 6:50am. When the registration link appeared, i felt so excited. Proceed to register and its done!

This is my FIRST time running a marathon in Hong Kong yet everyone thought i'm been always running in Hong Kong! Yes, I did run in Hong Kong back to 2012 Ultra Trail Vibram Hong Kong 100KM...

Fast forward to 15 Jan 2016, my friend and i fly to Hong Kong on Friday. On the next day, we went to race expo for bib collection.

This trip, i was targeting 4:30 hours timing when i just registered for the race months ago. Somehow, this target this aim got forgotten as i'm so into Crossfit where i almost everyday check in to the box without fails, except rest day.

On 16 Jan, Hong Kong weather was not so good as its raining and cool but i like it! Weather forecast says tomorrow 17 Jan Sunday will be raining!

On the 17 January 2016, The SCHKM Race Day

I got the second wave starting time 6:45am. We left our hostel MongKok together with many others Malaysian runners who stay in the same building at 5:15am. Just 4 MTR stations away from Mongkok to the starting point!

The day was good at 5:45am, had our drop bag dropped to truck and we proceed to starting point waiting... We saw the first wave 6:15am took off. While we walking toward the starting line, we pickup plastic raincoat that first wave runners throw at roadside as it start to rain! We stand really in front near to starting line! Waitinggggg......Waiting... and waiting...  Suddenly its  HEAVY RAIN ! KNS... Run yet start and its rain! Lucky we have raincoat pickup earlier.

6:45AM
Flagged off! The race started! My race strategy always the simple one, where my
First 10km to clock 1 hour 10mins,
21KM at 2 hours 10mins to 15mins and lastly 30KM 3 hours 30mins as standard benchmark for sub-5 timing.

In the first KM, the road is like running down hills... without me realizing, my pace were faster than im suppose to be as reminded by friend! Then i try to control my pace... "I'm running my First marathon in Hong Kong, how wonderful its going to be" were running in my mental... The rain, from light to heavy does not stop me, but i felt good to push my legs!

The first thing i wanted to do after flagged off is pee! how come nobody go pee at roadside one??? Im running, keep running and forget where, i think some 30mins of running, suddenly i saw roadside there's runners pee-ing ! woohoo... time to release !!! its was wonderful... body felt lighter... resume back to run.

A lot of runners, really a lot of runners along the way, all the way and the rains, it rain, stop, and rain again! Thanks to my compression top, I never felt cold but wet. Water stations were good and im love the idea of big water bottles i think its 50Litres capacity as we seen in office were used !!! Unlike in Malaysia where uses 1.5L bottles which created bloody lot of rubbish!

First 10km timing were on target, and followed by 21km! Somewhere 15KM point, i was overtook by lead pacer who lead blind runner together with a friend. The friend have this music box playing Hong Kong oldies song! Split second spark decision hit my intention that i'm going to follow them! They are running at good pacing which i can try to follow as i'm feeling good, all system ready to go!

At 21KM, i felt something in my stomach! Aiks... Body need to release but i still can hold it. Waiting for the right time, right place to release! Whenever i ran pass mobile toilet, i will only stop when there's no queue, no people waiting... Just before the tunnel, suddenly saw a runner ran out from mobile toilet, and i know its time for the big business! Thank god, not much time spent in waiting, about 1 minutes and its just simple big business! Time loss for the break estimated about 5 minutes!

I lose sight of the lead pacer & blind runner and his friend! I'm all alone again, trying to fight back the time lost, i keep pushing my pace. Something in mind to chase for! After the short tunnel, its bridge, heading back to city. When its uphill, im focus and determined to pace myself. I noticed i can run a little bit faster when uphill... Keep pushing, somehow somewhere, the lead & blind runner and his friend came into my sight! Hoorey! It was at 30km mark i think, my pace is slow down and relax to pace with them as i know after 30km, there's a 3km long tunnel and long ascent up exiting the tunnel ! I pace with them and ran into the infamous tunnel with them...

Surprisingly, I did well in the tunnel and i felt good. Looking at my Polar RCX5 watch which suppose to be a great watch, but not for SCHKM as i use it as stop watch. Looking at the timing, i felt the need to bid goodbye to lead & blind runners in order for me to fight for 4:30 timing!

i had ran pass the 30km hit the wall mark and the infamous 3km tunnel, its time for me to speed up to 42KM finishing line! Although i can feel my left calf muscle were a bit tight, as long as no cramp hit me, i still able to push! in the last 5KM, i had another VFuel gel ! As im trying to run faster, the road were crowded i got blocked by slow runner and walking runner! KNS...

In the last 3KM, there's a fly over need to climb up! dammit! I did not see this coming! Suffer abit, but still able to push to it. 4:30 timing were so near yet so far for me to achieve it!

It's 4:33 when im crossing the finishing line!
It's my personal best timing since 2014 SCKLM marathon 4:45 !

 

SCKLM 2014

Bali Marathon 2014 - 14 SEPTEMBER 2014

BII MAYBANK BALI MARATHON
RACE DAY SUNDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2014
REGISTRATION STARTS MAY 2014
Contact us at info@balimarathon.com

Follow us at facebook and twitter

http://www.balimarathon.com/ 

INFOGRAPHIC: Standard Chartered KL Marathon (SCKLM)

Penang Bridge International Marathon 2013 - My 16th Full marathon

On 17 November 2013, 2am, I will be running my 16th full marathon since my journey into running. Running Penang bridge have my sweet and hates memory! 

All the best to everyone! 

Penang Bridge International Marathon 2013 PBIM : Baggage Counter - RM1.00 fees waived.

Updates:::

RM1.00 now is waived.

Penang Bridge International Marathon runner's handbook have indicated that RM1.00 will be charge for each piece of baggage deposit at the baggage counter.

BREAKING NEWS !!!!

PBIM create "WORLD RECORD" !!!! instead of Book of Record Malaysia. 

Baggage counter will charge EACH piece of baggage for RM 1.

My silly calculation : Let say 20,000 ppls x RM 1 = Yeahh...buta buta dapat RM 20,000. syoknya~~jom kita pi makan besar

p/s : PBIM, please explain laa sikit  dun bullshit me for charity purposes .

From: SeanWorld of MARATHON Facebook 

Which i fully agreed with SeanWorld !!! 

15th Marathon - My Personal Best SCKLM 2013

Yes. Its my personal best for my 42KM marathon today in Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2013! I never know i could do my personal best! 

I was targeting between 5 hours plus and not later than 5 hours 30 mins. Starting off with good conditions. Nothing unusual happens on my legs and im just run in comfortable speed which i found its abit faster than my normal pace that i would do. 

First 10km - 1 hours 4 mins 

Second 10km - 1 hours 12 mins 

I know i'm faster, and if i'm able to maintain my speed until 30KM, i most likely can hit sub-5 timing and i overtook the 3 5:00 pacer runners, they're behind me! hehe...  But on other hand, I'm worried about 30km mark as i only have 2 weeks running training for this SCKLM. My speed slowed down significantly when i'm crossing 30km mark and even start to walk. 

When i reaching at the Mutiara complex at Jln Ipoh, my habit told me to grab a Coca-cola like last year. Last year, the weather were hotter than this year. After i brought my coke, i drank it and whose know the 5:00 hours pacer was running fast from behind! I'm trying to catch up with them but failed. The Coke have gas and I felt bloated when im drank it so fast just try to catch up with the 5 hours pacer! argh... 

It's continue and i'm just run walk run walk trying hard to run to over my bloated situation. Somehow at KM33, the bloated feeling magically gone after i had a cup of water. It's time to run! Run to catch up 5:00 hours pacers ! Im just felt good. 

At KM35, James distribute milo popsicle which really helps a lot ! then came to KM 36 support station, just 1 sip of water, and then came to LYN Runners support station! Hong Lan passed me a cup of coke and im just grab it and drink! I never hold back, lucky the coke were no gases unlike the tin coke. This round the coke helped! 

Walk up the steep hill after Rinjani, and from there onward, i pickup my speed and ran downhills... After the downhills, i saw the white balloon which was about 700 meters away i guess, i need to run faster a little more! Finally i managed to catch up with 5:00 hours pacer and others just after Sogo before turning into the Jalan TAR! Phew! Sub-5 is coming! 

Finally, Im going to complete my 42km marathon with sub-5 timing since my virgin marathon in Singapore back in 2009 Dec. 

We Sing Song...we were excited and we were crossing finishing line together! 

Photo credit to Ah Ming. 

Awesome finishing with 5:00 hours pacers YKK, the Gold-man and Renee ! 

Wonderful sub-5 marathon! I love it. 

See you in 2014 again. 

SCKLM - My 15th marathon, Hospis Malaysia

Coming this Sunday, 29 September 2013,  its Standard Chartered KL Marathon ! Finally, its going to be realize and no more postpone after haze in June.

I will be carrying "I run for those who can't. I am running for Hospis Malaysia" bib with me in the SCKLM this Sunday.

Just counted, this SCKLM will be my 15th marathon! My 14th marathon was SCKLM 2012 ! haha... Time flies ! My marathon numbers are so less compared to my other running friends. There's some change of focuses since 2012 and same goes to 2013... 

For some, you might not knowing what's Hospis Malaysia but if you can recall, Royal couple Prince William and Catherine visited Hospis Malaysia last year Sept 2012. 

Photo courtesy bernama.com

http://www.hospismalaysia.org/

For more information, kindly click the link about to find out more about Hospis Malaysia. 

All the best to SCKLM runners! 

BIM 2013 POSTPONED - Borneo International Marathon 2013

I feel it for BIM (Borneo International Marathon) committees. Their hard works, time spent, and energy to organize a superb marathon in Kota Kinabalu were challenged by the unexpected event. 

It's officially that BIM 2013 which schedule to held on 4 May 9:00pm now is postponed. A date will be advise later according to the race director email. 

Below is the attachment attached in the race director email sending to all participants where police advise race director to postpone the marathon.

Below are the message from race director:


01.05.2013

My Dear Friends,

It is with great regret and sadness that I write this letter.

We received a letter from the Police (copy below) advising us to postpone the Borneo International Marathon.

We will advise you on the next date of the Borneo International Marathon which will be held in 2013. All entries will be deferred till then.

The Committee understands your disappointment and we feel exactly the same way too.  The stress, the hard work, and the time we have had to put in has resulted in tears and heart wrenching reflections of our volunteers, supporters and Committee. We have tried our best against all odds.

Finally, I would like to thank all our supporters, sponsors, the Police, Ministry of Youth & Sports, Ministry of Tourism and Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu for all their help and encouragement.

Meantime, participants who have registered may still collect their race pack at 6th floor, Suria Sabah Shopping Mall on 2nd to 4th May between 10am to 6pm.  For more updates, please check our Facebook page and the website at www.borneomarathon.com

Thank you.
Race Director

End. 

Boston Marathon explosion 15 Apr 2013

Woke up with some breaking new and it's really shocked me. I tweeted and never thought my tweets were pickup by The Star in their

Malaysians tweet condolences to victims of Boston Marathon bomb blast

Let's wear a race shirt tomorrow in honor of Boston.  

I'm lucky. I have Boston Marathon 2012 T-shirt when my friend was running Boston Marathon last year. 

I will be wearing the T-shirt travelling from KL to Philippines and final destination to Baguio. 

R.I.P to Boston Marathon explosion victim.  

Malaysia Women Marathon 2013

A photo speaks thousand words. Today's weather at Shah Alam, Selangor, where Malaysia Women Marathon held were awesome! Cloudy weather!

@azranosmanrani and his wife at Malaysia Women Marathon #MWM @airasia X #running #marahon #Malaysia #women

Run Sister Run! @airasia CEO @aireenomar runs happily at #MWM at last 200Meters #women #Running

Lovely couple running #MWM @azranosmanrani and his wife at last 200M point #running #women

LYN Runner who wearing running skirt as pacer! 

Which translate: 

"Women who run are the most prettiest women'

LYN Runners YK pacing another LYN runners for her 42km full marathon. 

The sexy runner pacer with his runner! 

Another LYN Runner pacing his Super Girl to complete her 42km full marathon! 

Guess who LYN Runners who accompany this girl to finish her 42km full marathon? 

This girl, when walking pass me, she is crying for the pains. 

Later i only got to know from another LYN runners at water station mentioned she have really bad cramp, spread from one leg to another leg. Well done LYN Runners in supporting the runner ! 

Anyone interested to join LYN Runners are most welcome to join our Facebook. 

LYN Runners Facebook Group 

Mentions you're reading vin_ann blog can get faster approval by Admin. :) 

End. 

Standard Chartered KL Marathon - SCKLM 2013

The Standard Chartered KL Marathon celebrates five years running and opens registrations on 30 January!

Kuala Lumpur, 29 January 2013 – Runners, get set go! Mark your calendars for the last Sunday of June this year, as the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2013 has been confirmed to be held on 30 June 2013.  Participant registration for this year’s marathon will officially commence tomorrow at 6:00 pm, 30 January 2013.

The Standard Chartered KL Marathon through the years has come to be regarded as an iconic event for the country. Last year alone, the event attracted over 28,000 runners from 48 countries, a 108 per cent increase since its inception in 2009 (with 13,500 runners).

Overwhelming response to Malaysia’s largest marathon

In 2012, participant registration closed six (6) weeks ahead of the deadline following an overwhelming response from the public. The event saw a total of 28,050 runners; with 3,168 runners in Full Marathon, 5,727 runners in the Honda Half Marathon, 491 runners in the MSIG Ekiden, 3,812 runners in the 5KM Fun Run and 541 runners in the Kid Dash, with the 10KM taking the lion’s share of participation with 51 per cent  or 14,311 runners.

Following the overwhelming response, the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2013 is looking forward to increasing the 2013 participation to 30,000 runners from all around the world.

The total number of participants throughout the four years of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon stand at 80,928 runners (2009 – 2012), with a strong record of participation increase each year. With this fifth year edition, the Marathon would have welcomed some 110,928 runners to Malaysia’s flagship running event with a total prize pot of USD520,000.

Highlighting Malaysia on the global map

Globally, data as of 2011 shows a total of 256,000 runners have participated in the Standard Chartered Marathon series that takes place in nine (9) markets around the world – Bangkok (Thailand), Dubai (UAE), Jersey (Channel Islands), Mumbai (India), Nairobi (Kenya)Stanley (Falklands Islands), Singapore, Hong Kong, and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).

The highlight of the Kuala Lumpur race is navigating a challenging route that weave between beautiful and historical landmarks around the city of Kuala Lumpur. The throng of cheering spectators and supporters additionally adds to the overall festivity of the event.

Last year, the Standard Chartered KL Marathon celebrated a new Full Marathon Men’s route record of 02:14:45.32, set by Kennedy Kiproo Lilan. The Women’s Full Marathon winner was fellow Kenyan Elizabeth Jeruiyot Chemweno, with her time of 02:40:24.84. Shaharudin bin Hashim retained winner of the Full Marathon Malaysian Men’s category with a time of 02:42:27.57.

The Standard Chartered KL Marathon is once again made possible by title sponsor Standard Chartered Bank in partnership with the event owner and organiser Dirigo Events, and co-organiser Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Running enthusiasts can sign up at the official website www.kl-marathon.com

Early bird discounts on registration fees are available till 28 February 2013.

Connect with the other runners through the Standard Chartered KL Marathon Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/SCKLmarathon and keep up-to-date via twitter at @scklmarathon.

Additional:

Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2013 SCKLM 2013

Save the date & start your training NOW! It's 30 June 2013. Now is the perfect timing to kickstart your training to run 42KM FULL marathon ! 

Who is with me joining 42KM? 

Malaysia Women Marathon 2013

Malaysia Women Marathon 2013 - As you gal may or may not aware about this "Run, Sisters, Run" a marathon with title "Malaysia Women Marathon 2013 which will be held on 7th April 2013, at i-City, Shah Alam. 

About

The Malaysia Women Marathon will focus on the celebration of women in the world of running. It is timely to take a bigger share of limelight for women do well in marathons. The world record for women's marathon is only 10 minutes behind the men's.

Description

The first Malaysia Women Marathon (MWM) will be held in the city of Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. 

The objective of this marathon is to celebrate the strength and quiet resolute of women in developing their family, nation and the world. 

We will have an interesting guest speaker....a running legend. so stay tuned for the surprise. The pre-event program will also consist of a dialogue with this running legend and other women race directors in the region. We can talk about how far we have come and how far we can go .....:) . A fashion show will bring out some eye-catching fashionable apparels and change your style when running. 

Categories will consist of full marathon, half marathon and 8km run. male entry on condition : husbands, sons, fathers, brothers, coach, pacer, trainer, and Abercombie & Fitch's 6 packs torso-ed guys :)

All in all, its an event for us women to come together and inspire one another to go get that marathon done. who says women cant run the marathon!!

Lets go out there and show em!  

(From Malaysia Women Marathon Facebook)

Any kind, pretty girl with long hair & speaks good Mandarin, and I am sure, you play the piano beautifully as well..., would you like a bdy guard for the Malaysia Women's Marathon? I will do my utmost best to pace you, and of course will serve you 100plus along the way, and ensure that you have a great run. Please contact me via Facebook -->  Chin Ann. Thank you... Now, time for the gym.

2012/2013 - Happy New Year

Another year. 2012 going to end in 2 days time. This year, it's something different for me. As my previous post, i'm joining Penang Malakoff Interstate Fellowship Ride which will be held on 31 Dec 2012 (Monday) and 1st Jan 2013 (Tuesday). 

While im going to Penang tomorrow, Saturday. Never thought of spending my New Year eve in Penang which it hardly cross in my mind as Penang is too congested during holiday period and festival ! I used to spend my new year eve by sleep at much earlier but it's seem this year un-avoidable.  

2012 ending. 2013 coming. 

There's some rough plan for 2013 which i tweeted it out in 140 characters. Now try to recall what i plan for 2013. 

Running Resolution

Runs a "Kuasa Besar" run which confirmed. 

Runs an Ultra race which in the planning. 

Runs few marathons namely SCKLM, Penang Marathon and lastly SC Marathon Singapore or Chiang Mai marathon! 

While i'm feel much excited about Chiang Mai Marathon which will be held on 22 Dec 2013 

http://www.chiangmaimarathon.com/ 

Initial thought: Fly into Chiang Mai via Air Asia and back via trains. It's going to be excited yet might be dam kaw boring train ride. Imagine Chiang Mai to Bangkok 756KM and from Bangkok to KL... it's can take up to 24 hours train journey but this is what i'm going to experience it. Perhaps spending my Christmas eve on the train? haha... 

Cycling Resolution

Basically after April 2013, it's will be off season for running. Then i shall target to achieve cycling mileage 10,000KM clock on my Giant TCR SL3 by year end. Finger cross. :) 

Weekend ride with P2K. 

Quarterly group trip ride. 

Yangon Marathon 2013 - Running tips for oversea runners

Yangon Marathon running tips for oversea runners.

The inaugural Yoma Yangon International Marathon will take place on Sunday, 27th January 2013.

You can refer to their official web: http://www.yangonmarathon.com/ to register.  Since Air Asia is flying to Yangon, this inaugural Yoma Yangon marathon becomes runner’s choice to join!

Since im back to running, running around with uncles, rejoins with runners at park, joining Pacesetter 30KM… somehow, during the run, I joined with runner’s conversation about Yangon Marathon from visa, flight, accommodation and some tips travelling at Myanmar.  

Visa

You need to apply visa to enter Myanmar. The visa will cost around RM100 plus valid for 3 months. (It’s just back on conversation between runners, for accurate info, kindly check with ambassador of Myanmar.) So now it’s about good time to apply for visa.

Flight

I think those who join Yangon marathon would already brought Air Asia flight ticket to Yangon at cheap price. At this point of writing, flight to Yangon from KL 2 days before race is RM203 and back to KL 2 days after race day is RM201.  

Accommodation

Not much details I have as those places mentions were hard to remember. Generally, accommodation in Myanmar are expensive with hotel, perhaps, runners im with are staying comfortable 3 to 5 stars rated hotel in the city. All prices are quoted using USD.

Currency

It’s was advised you prepare USD note, 100 note, NEW and without any staple HOLES. I repeat, 100 USD NOTE, NEW and NO STAPLE holes on your 100 NOTE. When you pay your things with USD 100 note, the local will give back local currency change to you. So, unless you planning return trips to Myanmar, spend all the Kyat currency before leaving the country.  

Running tips

Here come the running tips for Yangon marathon. No one have ever runs a marathon in Yangon. But there’s runner who familiar with local situation advise: “Prepare worst out from the best”

The water station: I was told, be careful with the water provided. If it’s in mineral water, it’s safe. If it’s open, mixed with ice, then have to be careful and try your best to avoid if possible. This is because, local uses “cloth” to cover / carry ice. So when the ice melt, the water dip and the cloth might not be hygienic and it’s mixed with water.

Road conditions – Never expect the road condition would be like your home country, wide and flat with tar surfaced. Expect some rough road conditions according to one of the runner who recently visited Yangon city.

By the way, there’s also travelling information available at the official web: http://www.yangonmarathon.com/event-info/travel-information.html

Enjoy the marathon!

Romantic story - StarLight Marathon @ Taiwan

What's a romantic story which happened in StarLight Marathon 星光马 in Taiwan.

Last year's StarLight romantic marathon was their first marathon, they met, in love and married! Last month they realise they are going to have a baby, thus they write to the 2nd edition StarLight marathon, if they can change their enrollment to 8K fun run?

Organiser told them don't need to change, just run the 8K, they still will received their 42K medal, all finisher goodies and a special couple gift. and ask if they wanna to go up stage to received a gift that commemorates the coming baby!

Quoted from Sam Chong in Facebook. 

2012 Standard Chartered KL Marathon

KENNEDY KIPROO LILAN AND ELIZABETH JERUIYOT CHEMWENO

WIN MEN’S AND WOMEN’S STANDARD CHARTERED KL MARATHON 2012 TITLES

Kuala Lumpur, 24 June 2012 – The Standard Chartered KL Marathon has two new

champions this year as Kennedy Kiproo Lilan of Kenya and Elizabeth Jeruiyot Chemweno of

Kenya, won the Men’s and Women’s Full Marathon with respective times of 02:14:45.32 and

02:40:24.84.

Kennedy Kiproo Lilan setting a new personal best at

this year’s Standard Chartered KL Marathon

Elizabeth Jeruiyot Chemweno coming up top in the Women’s Full Marathon Open Category

The Men’s Full Marathon Open first runner-up medal with a time of 02:15:22.07 went to Charles Mwai Kanyao of Kenya just ahead of Japhet Kipchirchir Kipkorir of Kenya, at

02:16:37.02. Tigist Memuye Gebeyahu from Ethiopia was the second to cross the line in

the Women’s Full Marathon with a time of 02:40:33.57, while Rose Kerubo Nyangacha from

Kenya finished third with 02:41:00.82.

Malaysian Full Marathoners were not far behind with Shaharudin bin Hashim earning the

Full Marathon Malaysian Men’s Title and Ling Mee Eng winning the Malaysian Women’s

category title with a time of 02:42:27.57 and 03:36:48.65 respectively.

Full Marathon Malaysian Men’s Winner,

Shaharudin bin Hashim defends his title again

Ling Mee Eng crossing the finish line

Some 28,000 runners took off from the starting lines in Dataran Merdeka and Jalan Parlimen

throughout race day, solidifying the Standard Chartered KL Marathon’s position as the

largest marathon event in Malaysia. YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Mohd. Sheriff Mohd. Kassim,

Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia started of Race Day with a blast by firing

the first gun to signal the start of the Full Marathon category.

Other dignitaries present at the marathon were Yang Amat Berhormat Tan Sri Muhyiddin

Hj Mohd Yassin, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia; Yang Berhormat Dato’ Sri Ahmad

Shabery Cheek, Minister of Youth and Sports Malaysia; Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Ahmad

Fuad bin Ismail, Mayor of Kuala Lumpur; YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Mohd. Sheriff Mohd. Kassim,

Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia; Osman Morad, Managing Director & CEO

of Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia; A. Subramaniam, acting president of the Federal

Territory Amateur Athletic Association (FTAAA); YBhg. Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim,

president of the Malaysian Athletic Federation (MAF) and Chua Seck Guan, CEO of MSIG

Osman Morad, Managing Director & CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia said, “We

are proud to be the title sponsor of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon for the fourth

year. Seeing an increase of more than 24 percent runners gather together to ‘run for a

reason’ this year inspires us all to do better and greater things. I’m so pleased to see the Standard Chartered KL Marathon’s tremendous growth this year, and we hope to runners

and spectators alike spread the ‘marathon spirit’ throughout Malaysia and the world.”

Rainer Biemans, Project Director, Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2012 said, “The success

of today’s event truly cements the Standard Chartered KL Marathon as one of Malaysia’s

premiere sporting events. On behalf of the organisers, I’d like to thank everyone for their

dedicated support and commitment that went into making this day a great success. I would

also like to extend congratulations to all of the 28,000 local and foreign runners that ran for a

reason today!”

S. Vegiyathuman, General Secretary of the Federal Territory Amateur Athletic Association

said, “In the four years that The Standard Chartered KL Marathon has been here, so much

growth has taken place in which the running community is now closer than ever before,

thanks to this iconic running event with positive participation and event organisation. What

is interesting to see is the feedback from the running community which demonstrates the

significance of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon to them, with some even stating that the

highlight of the marathon is to see the city of Kuala Lumpur with the company of family and

friends. We hope and wish for the Standard Chartered KL Marathon to continue growing,

and we are proud with the success gained thus far.”

Joseph Mwangi Ngare from Kenya took home the men’s Honda Half Marathon title, clocking

01:06:22.02 while Esther Wambui Karimi from Kenya won the women’s category of the half

marathon at 01:19:38.00.

An official category this year and the only relay race in the Standard Chartered KL Marathon,

the MSIG Ekiden category saw participation from 102 teams. The winners Arul Running Club

took home the first prize for being the fastest to team to complete the 21km distance within 01:16:50.17.

Venugopal s/o Rajendran 00:35:55.80 while Yuan Yu Fang won the female 10km Speed Category with the time of 00:42:39.04.

In addition to the title sponsor, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia, Gold sponsors include

MSIG and Honda. Official partners are Titan, New Balance, 100 Plus, Doubletree by Hilton,

NTV7 and LI TV. The event is co-organised by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and Ministry

of Youth and Sports Malaysia. The Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2012 is sanctioned

took home the winning title of the 10km Speed Category at and supported by the relevant international and local sporting authorities- Malaysia Athletics

Federation (MAF), Federal Territory Amateur Athletic Association (FTAAA), International

Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF), Association of International Marathons and Distance

Races (AIMS), and National Fitness Council (NFC).