Run for Life 2014

Run for health!

There are so many "Run for..."  that even yours truly is confused on which runs are which. However this run will be held from7am to 1pm on 10th May 2014 at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur. There are three categories and distances. Men and Women Open (4 - 5km), Men and Women OKU (2 - 3km), and Boys and Girls (2 - 3km). The registration fees are as follows: Men and Women Open (RM10), Men and Women OKU (RM5) and Boys and Girls (RM5). Those wanting to know more can visit their Facebook page. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three places together with certificate, medal and hamper.  Certificates will be awarded to the first 1,000 participants. A t-shirt will be given to all those who participate in this event.

Bali Marathon 2014

14th September 2014

Circle that date on your calendar folks if you like running in Gianyar, Bali, for that is the new date of the Bali Marathon. The marathon returns for its third edition this year with the main sponsor yet again being Bank Internasio9nal Indonesia (BII). As in previous editions, there will be three categories - a full marathon, half marathon and a 10km run. The organizers have secured certification for the full and half marathon routes, which are endorsed by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). More than 2,000 runners from 43 countries took part in the first ever race in 2012, with 3,000 from 46 countries participating last year.  Runners came from as far as Kenya, the United States and countries throughout Asia. Please not that online registration will commence on 16th May 2014, while walk in registration begins on 26th May 2014. Click here to access their official website. More information is available after the pic below.

Official launch of Bali Marathon (pic: Danny Siwu)

Ipoh International Run 2014

Choose your distance: 5km, 7km, 10km or 21km

Come Sunday, 22nd June 2014, the Ipoh International Run will be at Indera Mulia Stadium. Just found out about this run. There doesn't seem to be any online registration though it has 'International' in it's name. However I did manage to garner some info from their Facebook page.  Those interested to join this run can get their registration form there and contact the persons in charge. Registration ends on 9th June 2014. This run clashes with the Pisang Relay Penang and also is the day after the half marathon at Sundown Malaysia (Johor). Other runs it clashes with on 22nd June are:  Mardi-MAEP Trail Running, 10.6km Music Wave Run, JSP City Run, Penang, not to mention Singapore's Salomon MR25 X Country Marathon. Isn't it amazing how our big local runs always seem to clash this year? If anyone knows more about this run please feel free to contact me, as I feel such an 'international' run deserves more promotion.

Roaster's Chicken Run 2014

Run for charity and get to eat lots of chicken!

Join Roaster's Chicken Run 2014 for charity.  Those who sign up get more than RM100 (Kenny's Quarter Meal Voucher, Exclusive RCR T-Shirt, Sunway Lagoon Entrance Ticket & Goody Bag) worth of stuff. The event will be held at 7am onwards on 18th May 2014 at Sunway Lagoon. The closing date is 11th May 2014 or when 5,000 participants are reached. The entry form is available for download here. Or you can sign up online here. Click here to learn more.

Turbo Snail Run 3.0 - Report

Mount Serapi and Selang Trail Viewpoint 

What a clear day it was this morning when the Turbo Snailers went up Mount Serapi yet again. What's more the ground was extremely dry. There was only a short stretch of wetness. It was especially nice since I forgo my running shoes for trail shoes. Most of the runners in Kuching had signed up for the Wishesland Charity Run. Yours truly had been running too much heading towards Borneo International Marathon (4th May 2014) and wanted to do something different. A climb is always good for my legs. Quite a few said they would join us but by Saturday most of them for some reason or another couldn't make it. I joked to MBF that maybe it would be only the two of us up the mountain this time. Last week it was so crowded going up thanks to the 3-day weekend. This time around it was virtually empty. Plus the sun was out in full force and there weren't any low lying clouds.  

We met up with Evelin, Rashidah and Aminah. Two of them were training for their Mount Kinabalu climb in September. There weren't really runners. Yours truly is always trying to recruit new runners. Hopefully they will go for the shorter events next time. As it stands they like to climb. If my schedule permits it I don't mind joining them once in awhile. As for the climb up Serapi it was as easy as it gets. Talk about muscle memory. The second time in eight days and it was cruise control the whole way. Met up with a group going up. We took pics together. They took a nice group pic of us and I told them to Google up "Fat Old Man Running". The bald-headed dude is me, said I. I hope it sunk in. For all our technological marvels I forgot about Bluetooth. I am old, so please forgive me. We never know, they might actually see this and send me the pics in due time. On the way back the three new ladies amazed me by running down. They went at a goodly pace. I who love my precious knees chose to walk down with MBF.

They waited for us at the start of the Rayu Trail. It was decided that Evelin and Rashidah would follow me to the Selang Trail, and Aminah would follow Nasa down the Serapi Trail. A hike up the Serapi Trail is 5km. Whereas the Selang Trail is 1.5km long, but this is a real jungle trail, and added on the Serapi Trail it makes for a longer hike. There's a view point there (see pic above) that gives a good view of Santubong on a clear day as this.  The three of us rested at the viewpoint and just enjoyed the panoramic vista. Then it was a mad dash back to the HQ. We met up with Aminah and Nasa. We then went our separate ways only to meet up again when we had some comfort foods at the coffee shop, of which ice kacang was one of them. No need to mention what else we had. All told this was a good workout for the legs. This was a nice break in routine. Running the whole week can become monotonous. An injection of a climb or trail hike helps a lot. Different leg muscles most definitely got exercised. Hopefully for the next Turbo Snail Run we will do something even more challenging. Happy running always everyone!

Going up!

Small grass snake I nearly stepped on

Close-up of the head

Keep on going!

Resting. The two ladies were part of the gang we met later

More resting

View from Serapi Trail

Serapi Viewpoint allows six up at one time

Enjoying a short break at the top

View from the top of the viewpoint

From the top looking down

Only 4 allowed up for Selang Viewpoint

View from top of Selang Viewpoint (same as banner pic)

The ladies going up

Evelin caught offguard

Me happy to be high up

Rashidah enjoying the rest

Yes we did it! Two summit hike

All of us at the end

Bedok Reservoir Ultramarathon 2014

Who wants to experience the burn?

Come 16th August 2014 at Bedok Reservoir, Singapore, there will be the second edition of the Bedok Reservoir Ultramarathon. The runs starts at 7am and ends at 7pm. Runners must run a 4.3km loop a minimum of 12 times (51.6km) within 12 hours to be eligible for finisher items that include a medal and a finisher t-shirt. There is also a team relay whereby a team of two must complete 12 laps in total together or in relay format. Registration is now open and those who want to get burnt can click here.

Energizer Night Trail Singapore 2014

Running for a brighter world

This event actually starts at 3pm and ends at 11pm on 26th July 2014 in Singapore. There is something for the whole family here. The main events are the 6km, 12km and 18km trail race which flags off at 8.15pm, 7.45pm and 7.15pm. Runners even have the option to add on the 3km obstacle race which starts at 3pm. There is also a 1.5km and 3km parent and child obstacle race. Looking at the schedule, and also depending on how fast the runner is, they can take part in a couple of events. The race carnival will be held from 3pm to 9pm. Please note that the event takes place during the month of Ramadan. www.islamicfinder.org has Maghrib at 7.17pm on the date mentioned. Click here to know more and register.   

Bagan Temple Marathon 2014

2,000 wonders await you

Who wants to run  among the temple-dotted plains of Bagan in Myanmar? Tucked away in central Myanmar, the ancient site of Bagan will be the location of the newest Adventure Marathon. Home to more than 2,000 temples, Bagan’s beauty and historical significance is unsurpassed. Sacred pagodas and beautiful temples are scattered across the plains of Bagan creating a mystical, stunning landscape. The marathon course will take runners on a voyage of discovery into this alluring and untouched land. The Bagan Temple Marathon will take place on 15th November 2014. It features two competitive distances, a full and a half marathon. Registration is now open. Click here to visit their official website. Click here to see what tour packages are available and also to register.

The Bagan Temple Marathon will take place on 15 November 2014. - See more at: http://bagan-temple-marathon.com/race-info#sthash.PoGx5Xtc.dpuf

The Bagan Temple Marathon will take place on 15 November 2014. - See more at: http://bagan-temple-marathon.com/race-info#sthash.PoGx5Xtc.dpuf

Two Marathons within 24 Hours - BSN PNM & SCKLM

Who will run both?

When the dates were finally agreed, the inconceivable became a reality. Two marathons separated only by hours. As far as I am concerned 2014 was going to be the year I ran the Standard Chartered KL Marathon. Last year I had run BSN Putrajaya Night Marathon. So when the date to SCKLM was announced I booked my flight. The delay in BSN PNM announcing their date only made me wonder whether the unthinkable was going to happen, and lo and behold it did. I know of a couple of people who will be running the full marathon for both. One of whom I just added as a friend on Facebook. BSN PNM FM starts at 8pm on 11th October, while SCKLM starts at 4.30am on 12th October. The first one offers a 6.5 hour cut off time and the second one offers a 6 hour cut off time. When asked by constant runners what the best combo I would recommend I told them, legs willing, go for the BSN PNM HM. The runner upon finishing would get a medal, a finisher t-shirt and a racing cap. Then go for the SCKLM 10km. Of course if the constant runner is unsure of how those running legs will hold up, then it's best to go for the 10km Leisure category which has a 2 hour cut off time. That way even if they had to walk it, they could. Quite a few will be doing back to back half marathons. Then there will be those who are doing back to back 10kms. For those who are a wee bit less insane, they will of course do a HM and FM combo. I've heard that my friends from Borneo would love to go for two marathons in one trip. I don't blame them having this kill two birds with one stone mentality. It's just that they have to choose the distance that best suits their abilities. Those who still have not signed up for either marathons, or are thinking of signing up, or want to sign up, can click here for BSN PNM and here for SCKLM. Run smart everyone and run happy always.

Please note that I am in no way encouraging any runner to run both BSN PNM FM and SCKLM FM. That choice is yours and yours alone. I am just telling my constant runners what options are available to them. In fact I am even encouraging them to do the BSN PM HM and SCKLM 10km Leisure combo as stated above.  Those who are running both FMs are doing so at their own risk. Even I, a registered Marathon Maniac, will think very hard before attempting both. It is a foolhardy thing best left to those who know the physical limits of their body. Only fully trained runners should even consider such a daunting endeavour.

Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2014 - Open for Registration!

Who wants to run the KL Marathon?

I know there are those out there who are salivating at the prospect of running back to back full marathons within 24 hours. Now here is your chance! Just sign up for both the BSN Putrajaya Night Marathon 2014 and the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2014. Sheer madness I say! However I know that the marathon maniacs will come. Even if you aren't running PNM, you can still sign up for the KL Marathon. Or maybe you can sign for back to back half marathons. I am sure there will be all sorts of combos. A half marathon and then a 10km run is very doable. Don't delay, there are only limited slots available. So click here to go to the registration portal. Then train like crazy. Am sure come 12th October 2014 you will see many a runner sporting the light blue racing caps from PNM. Last year I ran PNM FM and then Adidas King of the Road 16.8km. I saw many a HM finisher t-shirt and a couple of FM finisher t-shirt on display at Sunway. Am positive the same thing will occur at the KL Marathon. Happy running always everyone!

Walk of Hope 2014

Run because you can, walk because you care

Limbs For Life is a welfare project of Bandar Utama Buddhist Society (BUBS) that offers FREE prosthetic limbs to Malaysian amputees from poor or underprivileged background, regardless of race and religion. Walk of HOPE is a community event which is organized by BUDDY (Bandar Utama Dhamma Duta Youth) to support Limbs For Life. This event will be held on 15th June 2014.

================================
Registration starts from 6.30am
Warm up begins at 7.15 am
Run flags off at 7.30 am
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Category:
A. Adult Open (Men/Women - 18 years old AND above) - 7km

B. Youth Open (Boys/Girls - BELOW 18 years old) - 7km

C. Amputee Walk Along (Men/Women) - 2km
This will be a competition of passing the baton among the amputees in groups. We will walk along with them, cheer for them and encourage them to not give up within this 2km route! It is definitely not easy for them, so it would be great and meaningful if we show them that we are there for them. Moreover if they try and not give up, they will inspire other amputees to do the same.

D. Corporate Team (group of 10) - 7km
This category are individuals running but sponsored by company. You will still be under the Category A - Adult Open 7km. But, when all your members in the group (10 people) passes through the Category A's finish line, gather together and run through the Corporate Team Finish Line. First Corporate Team with all members reaching the finish line will emerge as champions!

Minimum Donation fees for Category A: RM60
Minimum Donation fees for Category B: RM50
Minimum Donation fees for Category C: RM30
Minimum Donation fees for Category D: RM 1000

Category A (Adult Open) and Category B (Youth Open) runners will receive:
1. T-shirt
2. Race bib
3. Banana (upon registration on 15th June)
4. Certification of participation(upon registration on 15th June)
5. Finishing Medal (upon completion of 7km)
4. Goody bag

Category C (Amputee Walk Along) walkers will receive:
1. T-shirt
2. Banana
3. Goody Bag

Runner T-shirt Collection
Dates and Time:
1. Saturday 7th June (11am - 5pm)
2. Sunday 8th June (11am - 5pm)
3. Friday 13th June (11am - 5pm)
4. Saturday 14th June (11am - 5pm)

Location for the Collection : UBV Uttama Bodhi Vihara

What to Bring for the Collection : Identity Card/Passport

DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION: 1 June 2014

For Single Registration
http://form.jotform.me/form/40852166387461?

For Group Registration
http://form.jotform.me/form/40851735350452?

For Corporate Registration
http://form.jotform.me/form/40978566054465?

For any questions and enquiry, feel free to contact:
-Jojo 018-9881107
-Calvin 013-3682288

or you can email them at
lflwalkofhope@gmail.com

Lion Dash 2014

The Brave Shall Run!

Do you have the courage to take part in the Lion Dash races in Singapore on 8th June 2014? You can either choose the Sprint or Beast categories. If you sign up for the Sprint you will have to do a 5km rugged trail run while completing over 10 obstacle courses. It gets even better with the Beast, that's where you have to do as many 5km laps in four hours as you can, while negotiating through 10 obstacle courses along the way. Are you one of the few, the brave, who can call themselves lions? Well if you think so then do go to their Facebook page to see what you have to do or their event website. 

Run and Raisin' 2014

Runs: 2.4km/5km/10km

Already into its fourth year, Run & Raisin’ provides runners with the opportunity to challenge yourself, keep fit or have fun with friends and family at one of Singapore’s most iconic landmarks. Run & Raisin' is an annual charity run and carnival, organised by TOUCH Young Arrows (TYA) where the net proceeds raised will benefit TYA clients and their families. The funds raised will go a long way in helping us maintain their year-round activities and weekly programme with the children. The run will be held at 7am on 5th July 2014 at Silver Garden, Gardens by the Bay. The early bird ends on 4th May 2014. Click here to access their website and to register.

BSN Putrajaya Night Marathon 2014 - Finishing Bonus!

Undecided on which marathon to run?

As we all know now, BSN Putrajaya Night Marathon 2014 falls the day before Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2014. Constant runners already know that PNM is one of the few marathons that offers finisher t-shirts to both the half marathon and full marathon runners. In order to make things even more exciting the organisers of PNM have just announced that HM and FM finishers will also get a limited edition race cap. That means whoever finishes PNM this year in the 21km and 42km categories will get not only a medal and a finisher t-shirt, but also a finisher racing cap! I don't know about you, but it makes me want to go and sign up now. Wait a minute, I did just that on the same day registration was announced! Am sure there will be those who will be doing the double FMs. However for those who don't plan to do the double, why not give the HM at PNM at try. The rewards are well worth it. If you still think you have the legs for it then sign up for the 10km at leisure pace for SCKLM. I also know of a couple of friends who plan to do just that. So anyone who loves to run can get the most out of that weekend, instead of moaning and groaning why two marathons occur on the same weekend. Hopefully this sort of thing will never happen again. Click here to register. Then you can tell your grandkids one day how you were insane enough to sign up for both events.

GuocoLand Run 2014 - Date change

17th August 2014

For those who don't already know, the GuocoLand Run 2014 date has been changed from 25th May 2014 to 17th August 2014. Why am I smiling? Well, that date is really popular in Malaysia for runs right now. For more information do visit their website here or their Facebook page here.

Turbo Snail Run 3.0

Serapi Revisited

After our recent Turbo Snail Run 2.0 adventures climbing up Mount Serapi, several runners asked whether they could join the event. Due to the outpouring of request we have scheduled another event to be held on 27th April 2014. Yes, this clashes with the Wishesland Charity Run, but those who aren't running it, can do the Mount Serapi climb. For first timers to Kubah National Park, this is an ideal time to join as you will be going in a group. However those wanting an even tougher challenge can do the Selang Trail to the other view point there. What am I talking about? Well there is another little known peak there. Yes, at 1.5km it is a shorter hike, but to get there is no walk in the park. It is slippery and the trail is hardly used as few venture there. However the bigger the challenge the more satisfying the reward. Those interested in doing the usual road climb up to the Mount Serapi viewpoint will be in one group. Those who want to try the Selang Trail will follow the other group. Rest assured both groups will be in the company of those familiar with the route. As per the previous Turbo Snail 2.0 event, do please bring RM10 for park fees, a fully charged mobile phone, and enough water (preferably 1L) and food (for a light brunch).  Interested parties can contact me directly.

Rat Race Run 2014 (Kuching City) - 4km walk added!

Run in your work clothes for charity!

The Rat Race Run now not only has a 7km run but also a 4km walk, for those who feel they need to take things at a leisurely pace. What better way to welcome Labour Day then to run/walk through Kuching City in your work clothes at night? This is the very first time that such an event is held in our town. Since it is held at 7pm on 30th April 2014, participants can party hearty after the run and not worry about crawling to work the next day.  What's more this run is for charity too. The organisers have chosen the Hope.Place or Persatuan Kebajikan Harapan Kuching to be the beneficiary. Not only that, there will be lots of prizes and also lucky draws, and notable runners dressed in drag, for charity. Runners can donate as little as RM5 to see them in action on the day itself.  Those who finish the run will be given a beer token. Non-drinkers will be provided with Gatorade. Please refer also refer to the Facebook page on this event. Please note that walk-in registration on the event day itself will be accepted.

Post from Hornbill Pacesetter Running Club:
 
"Dear Fellow Runners, 

We at HPRC believed in "puttin the FUN in runnin" and charity. Therefore, we would like to do a pledge for Kuching Rat Race organized by O-Run Utans running club on the 30th April 2014. What is so special about this pledges? The following men will be dressed in women clothes for the Rat Race.

- Willie Liew
- George Chapman
- Charlemagne Song
- Justin Yeo
- Chong Kir Jui
- Eric Cheong
- Tony Liew
- Jonathan Soon
- Eldon Chuo
- Shannon Lee

All the pledges collected will be donated to the Hope Place Kuching. We will publish our daily collection upon this launch. Pledge starts from RM5 to any amount. Please bank in you pledges into our club account AmBank: 8881000037257 and send the receipt/ transaction number to any of the following numbers for proof of pledge. We will provide you an official receipt. Unfortunately, it is not tax deductible.

We thank you for your support."

Registration Locations:
1. Revolution Run Borneo, Padungan (Albert Tan 016-589 2233)
2. Level Up Fitness Gym Padungan. (082-233 222)
3. Asiana Gallery (Irene Manyin 012-888 7168)
4. Garden City Pharmacy (Janette Teo 010-982 9956)

Seremban Half Marathon 2014

Run as fast as the Wind

The Seremban Half Marathon is back! This will be the 27th edition too! It will be held at 6am on 17th August 2014.  Those who are giving the Kuching Marathon or the Angkor Wat Empire Marathon a miss, and prefer the shorter 21km distance, now can run in Seremban. There is plenty of information about this half marathon on their official website. Unfortunately this year our race calendar is packed with so many runs to choose from, and many of them fall on the same date or a day before or after. How I wish they were an official body to monitor the dates for full marathons and half marathons to insure they don't clash. However I have seen the same thing happen in Singapore too where the runs do happen on the same day. When we look at it with an objective eye, there are only so many weeks in a year we can run such races. As always it is the runner's prerogative whether they want to sign up for such runs or not. The Seremban Half Marathon has been around since I was teenager, so longevity must speak volumes for it. What's more this year they will have a new run route. Happy running always!