GENTING TRAILBLAZER - CROSS COUNTRY 2010

A last minute contest sponsored by Oriental Daily News enabled me to participate in the inaugural Cross Country event of the Genting Trailblazer 2010 held at Awana Genting Highlands Golf & Country Resort on 30 October 2010. This race is actually an extension of the Adventure category which is in its 5th edition. In comparison this was a lot easier than the Adventure race in the absence of the obstacle course.

Being a first timer in this sort of event, I was very unsure of what to expect. So I opted for the 6km category. During the briefing, we were told not to take or leave anything except our footprints in the jungle. Wearing gloves also help but I didn't bring any. Shoes with good traction will be an added advantage.

Venue : Football field 300 metres from Awana
Contestants : Approx. 331 in 6 categories

The route started very ordinarily on flat land passing through the Awana Resort and onto a driving range. I had to avoid stepping on golf balls. From thereon into the jungle trek. As it had rained the previous night, the ground was soft, soggy and slippery. It led me into places that I've never treaded on in the highlands. I had to climb over or crawl under fallen tree trunks, jump over puddles and jungle drains. After a kilometre or so, the course went uphill and uphill until my speed was reduced to a slow climb. On the top was the one and only water station. The only suitable spot to set up one but a little late for this was the 5th kilometre already. Unbeknownst to me, the worst was yet to come. In the last kilometre was a very steep hill in the open. I'd say the gradient was about 45 degrees (if I'm not mistaken). This was the final hurdle followed by a very steep descent. The last 150 metres were just flat, so I sprinted to a 19th placing finish with a time of 49 minutes 10 seconds.

I collected my thick paperboard finisher medal (that's right, it's not metal or pewter) and help myself to a light buffet breakfast of fried mee, garlic bread, cakes, hardboiled eggs and bananas.

This event with an entrance fee of RM98 must be the highest in the country. And no certificate was awarded.

Here I would like to salute my running mate Catherine for achieving her greatest victory so far, first runner up in the women veteran category.

Gold Coast Airport Marathon 2010

The Gold Coast Airport Marathon on 4th July 2010 was the 32nd edition of the biggest marathon in Australia. The marathon actually took place on a 21 km route stretching from Runaway Bay in the north to Burleigh Heads in the south, some 11 km from the airport. The name 'Airport' probably refers to the sponsorship. It is a winter sports event under temperatures between 10 to 17 degrees.

The main venue is Southport next to the Aquatic Centre. The full marathon led south to Surfers Paradise, onto Broadbeach and thereon, a U turn at Burleigh Heights, doubled back to the venue area, and headed northwards to Runaway Bay for another U turn back to the event venue for the finish. The route is almost totally flat passing by scenic beaches, condos, hotels and residential places. There were about six or more musical groups set up all along the 42 km course providing entertainment to relieve the fatigue and monotony of the long run. Young toddlers were at the side of the streets with outstretched hands giving low fives to runners. Amid the cheers and applause of spectators, I can hear my name being called out numerous times. This was happening because runners' names were printed on their bibs. This is one of the special feature of this event. The windiest and coolest part occurred at the final two kilometres. On finishing the marathon, something that I've never experienced before happened. My vest and clothes were completely dry.

The next morning another amazing thing happened. All the names of finishers and qualifiers of all the categories with our placing, gun & net time and category placing were published in a special 64 page supplement in the Gold Coast Bulletin. All 21,508 of us.

There were 5023 entrants for the full marathon and according to the reports, 496 did not finish or complete within the 6 hrs 30 min time limit. Despite cutting down 20 minutes from my PB of 4 hrs 37 min, still I only managed to be placed 2701, i.e. bottom 41%. In view of this, I must say that the standard here is very high compared to where I came from.

The marathon was very well organized. This was the first time it was held over Saturday and Sunday. For next year's event, the organisers are planning a week long carnival. Everything was so perfect especially the left luggage which saw absolutely no queue.

This is a very expensive marathon for Malaysians costing about RM390 for registration fees and with that exorbitant price, you don't even get an event running vest. The T-shirt size stated in the registration is for the finisher T-shirt. Since no running vest was provided, there was totally no uniformity at all, making it a very colourful cross section of runners on that event day. This is actually a good idea. From my experience, I find that usually participants do not like to wear the same vest like everybody else. So it will be a great waste too to supply them. Another thing - finishers' certificate has to be downloaded from the website and printed on your own.

I'd like to go again next year in the first weekend of July 2011 but I don't think I want to spend that much on something or some place that I've done or been before. For those who really want to do a PB, then this is the place for it. The cool weather, flat terrain and the competition will be enough for you to achieve that.

Shabu Shabu The In Thing Now

Shabu shabu - the word that is so popular now in the world of food. With more and more of these eateries mushrooming in the city, one such place that will surely catch the attention of the romantics is I Love U Shabu Shabu. Located next to the New Wing IOI Mall in Puchong, this is a two shoplot joint which charges RM28.80 nett per pax on weekends and RM26.80 nett on weekdays.

Shabu shabu is Japanese steamboat and their specialty is food on conveyor belt with individual cooking pot. There are usually more than 100 items of food available including ice cream and desserts.

So lovebirds out there, if you don't know where to take your partner to on Valentine's Day, this could be just the place. However other than the name of the place, there is nothing romantic about it.

ENERGIZER NIGHT RACE 2010

ENERGIZER NIGHT RACE @ CYBERJAYA

Lately Malaysian sports took a novelty turn into what is termed - Night Races. None of that F1 or Mat Rempit stuff. It is actually running. The second inaugural night marathon, Energizer Night Race held at Cyberjaya on 27 March was a smashing success with 5000 or so participants in 15 categories of 42km, 21km and 10km distances. (The first event was the Putrajaya Night Marathon held on the 6th Feb.) The special thing about the Energizer run was the head lamp given to runners to wear for the race. However the response to this new accessory was lacking as most runners especially the marathoners would rather not have to add on to their burden of wearing one. Anyway their starting time of 6.00 pm was really too early for the lamp anyway. The night of the run also coincide with Earth Hour which ran from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.

The venue selected was very suitable for this inaugural event since Cyberjaya does not have traffic problems. Can you imagine the massive traffic congestion it would have caused in the city centre on a Saturday night if it was held in KL. Kudos to Pacesetters for another well organised event.