Fat Old Man Running

Le' Park Trail Run

After the MAKSAK run I was to take part in the Trail Run held at Taman Le'Park situated behind the Civic Centre. This was part of the Youth Carnival held over the weekend. Events included: basketball, futsal, volleyball, skateboarding, sepak takraw, mountain bike, remote control car and music fest. Tucked in there somewhere was a trail run. This trail run was made even more special as it was situated in the heart of the city. Runners could even go running at night as it was lighted and for safety there was CCTVs too. I had never been to the trail so had a bit of trouble finding it. When in doubt follow others. That's what I did. Since my physician had not allowed me to run I just went to support. I told the nice ladies taking the attendance that I wasn't participating even though I had registered. Many familiar faces were there from the Reservoir Park Running Club. There were matched by the presence of the army boys. Some of the participants from the MAKSAK run were also there. The unfamiliar faces would be the first timers.

Lots of picture taking followed. There were only two races I was interested in - the Men's Veteran and the Men's Open. Due to circumstance the route was shortened from 1.2km to 700m. The runners had to run laps around the course according to their categories. In the end I enjoyed watching all the races. The woman's race was particularly exciting as the lead runner was an expert at running downhill and the one pursuing her was faster on the straight. At the end the second runner nearly caught up with the winner as she stopped a stride short of the finish line. Luckily she managed to breast the tap in time. In that race the winner had given her all and just sat down from exhaustion and had to be lifted away from the running track. As for the veteran race it was a two-horse affair between Kaliani Rajamanickom and Leo Bin (aka Naruto Leong). However Leo could never close the gap and at the end Kaliani won comfortably. The third please finisher was never a threat.

As for the open category it was the army boys against John Lonhienne, a teacher from Belgium. John was in fourth after the first lap but slowly moved up till he was in second. However the lead runner was just too far ahead and increasing the gap. John finished far ahead of the third runner. All told the event was well organised. Many came to test their trail running skills. It was nice to see road runners giving the trail run a go. I am so glad I took my doctor's advice and didn't attempt this event. Now I have a whole week for my right foot to recover before Penang. How I wish more runners had taken part. It seems this trail run was lost among the other activities of the Youth Carnival. Even I heard about it at the last moment. The support amongst the runners was tremendous. The Reservoir Park runners worked tirelessly to help each other by giving water and advice. This is the sort of team spirit I enjoy seeing. Hopefully more trail runs will be organised in the future there. If the course were lengthened it would have been even more challenging.

Trail Run Results

Men's Veteran (45 years and above)

1. Kaliani Rajaminickom - 26:30

2. Leo Bin - 27:47

3. Wan Bakri - 30:49

Women's Open

1. Ling Nyuk Hwa - 32:27

2. Tan Sii Eng - 32:25

3. Francisca Lim - 37:16

Boy's Open (13 - 17 years)

1. Jee Yi Kang - 23:52

2. Chai Kiang Kong - 25:36

3. Mohd. Firdaus Yakop - 27:17

Men's Open

1. Feldarus bin Abdul Rahman - 27:12

2. John Lonhienne - 28:50

3. Mohd. Sabree bin Osman - 29:11

Happy faces

Boys ready to set off

Boys on the go

Jeremy Pui and John Lonhienne

Jonathon Soon and friends

Stony stretch that wasn't used

Someone's bib

Supporters awaiting the runners

Boy's winner: Jee Yi Kang

Women ready to start

Men's veteran ready to start too

And off they go!

Kaliani takes the lead

Naruto Leong chases after him

The army boys all serious and a Belgian flexing

Running on...

Taking a drink (would later finish 2nd)

Kaliani winning

Kaliani and Naruto (2nd)

Woman's winner: Ling Nyuk Hwa

Men's Open ready to flag off

Our pretty time keepers

Kelly and one of the crew

Malcolm (background) andcrew keep track of the laps

John giving chase

Women's top 3 (L-R): Nyuk Hwa, Sii Eng & Francisca

Leo Bin and Jeremy and a blurry runner

Men's Open winner: Feldarus

John finishing with a flourish

Men's Open 3rd: Mohd Sabree

The top 3 open finishers with Kaliani

Azizul Razak on his maiden trail run

Post run eats

Another Government Run

2km, 5km and 3km

Bandit Runner?

Learned about this run from friends. Alas I don't work for the government so was unable to run it. However was told that the registration for this MAKSAK run was very poor. They would allow outsiders to run but they weren't allowed to wear bibs or claim any prizes. A couple of runners did go to join in for fun. They were treated well and given water. Yours truly approached the counter to see if last minute registration was possible. Yes it was! However when asked which department I worked for I told the truth. I could have easily lied. What's the point in doing so, right? Besides I had not come to run. I had come to support my friends. My physician had warned me not to run the day before. He almost blew a gasket when I told him I had planned to run in not one but too races on Saturday. My reasoning was that it was only 5km and 7.2km. He would hear none of that. So there I was relegated to wearing flip flops and watching others have all the fun.

The VIPs would run 2km, the veterans 3km and the open category 5km. Suffice to say it was yet again the usual suspects who breasted the imaginary tape first. There was a wide grin inducing scene when the woman's open was 'won' by a lady who was very heavy-set. I have nothing again heavy-set ladies mind you. She apparently had run the 3km route and didn't have the pre-requisite ribbons. I chose not to post her picture. So her moment of glory was shortlived. Many runners took the event very seriously, especially in the open category, where the army boys thundered home untouched. The VIPs looked like they were having the most fun. Some was seen chatting and joking with their buddies right up to the finish line. What matters was that they were doing something. While most of us were still most probably eating breakfast. Hopefully when the Kuching Marathon comes around next year we will see VIPs running in at least the fun run category.

Now I would like to address an issue that is big on Facebook right now - the illegal selling of bibs and also bandit runners. Please do not support those people who want to sell their bibs. If they cannot run the race they shouldn't have signed up in the first place. If for legitimate reasons they cannot run it, they can tell the organiser and maybe some arrangement can be made for others to run for them legally. If not done legally than it is a big no. Bib selling can cost a lot of problems especially if the person wins the race or is suddenly injured. Who is the contact person? What is their blood type? Think first before endangering yourself and others. Then there are those bandit runners. Yes the road is everyone's. However if there is a race on that day have some courtesy. It is easy to change your run route. Don't tell me you were planning to run the exact same 42.195km... Remember by running with those who have legitimately registered you too are causing a lot of harm. What happens if you get injured? Who gets blamed?

For me it was a great pity to see such a poor response for a government run. Makes me wonder whether we in Kuching have gotten used to free t-shirts and medals from the charity runs. The joy in the run should always be the run itself. If it helps others than that is an added bonus. Being on the sidelines gave me ample time to survey things. Not one but two ambulances were provided. Members from the Kuching Marathon Association were on hand to lend support. This came in handy when some of the results were questioned. In the future it would be nice if MAKSAK opened the run in a special category for outsiders. Am sure if that were to happen the participation would swell. There are rumours of a big run happening in December. I will do my best to keep my fellow runners informed. Some are saying there will be branded running vest and medals! Am sure that would whet the appetite of runners in Kuching. The distance though might be a bit long for many as this would kick start a running campaign that would culminate in KM2014.