Complaint … complaint … complaint!!!
I think that’s what’s on everyone’s mind from the day they picked up their race kits to the starting line last Saturday. Why not?
1. The running vest was not available according to size! It’s either too big or too small. For some, it’s no more a running vest … it has turned into a 'nightie' for a guy!
2. There was a “Marathoner Roasts” in Cyberjaya at 6.00pm. Starting the race while the sun was blazing hot!
3. Waiting, waiting, waiting … 2 hours between the 42km and 21km and an hour’s wait between the 21km and 10km.
4. Not enough route markers … some runners even ended running extra kilometers!
5. There was just not enough sponging for the runners who started later, especially the half-marathoners!
6. There were dark unattended spots along the running routes … definitely danger in waiting, especially for the women runners. Luckily, nothing untoward had happened!
7. Looks like the full-marathoners had been short-changed! The actual distance was only 40.78km (according to Der Pacemakers Network). With so much publicity put in, the organizers should have ensured that the distance was according to international standard.
8. The location of the finish line was definitely not strategic. It seemed to be the only entry and exit to the race venue. Ambulances, sponsor vehicles, private cars, motorbikes were going in and out all the time. Picture KK Pacers’ Captain, Steven being tailed by 2 Fly-fm cars for almost a kilometers towards the finish line. Imagine some of the runners running straight into these vehicles driving out from the finish line … how dangerous!
9. There were no barricades at the finish line to block out the spectators and the runners who had finished their respective races. Apart from those vehicles, the runners running to the finish had to contend with people taking souvenior shots at the finish line, selfishly oblivious to runners trying to finish their race at the cramped finish line.
10. Goodies bag and medal collection counters were so far away from the finish line … >500 metres!
Despite the complaints, it was a great night for KK Pacers, especially our captains, Steven and Raymond. Steven finished his 42km race at the 7th position within 4 hours 06 minutes while Raymond with an improved personal best at the 28th position within 4 hours 32 minutes. Our lady star, Vivienne finished her very first full-marathon at the 13th position within 5 hours 35 mins. Nik Anba also completed his very first full-marathon at the 73rd position within 5 hours 20 mins.
Our Sunshine Lady, Cheryl also managed to complete her 21km race within improved timing while 2 young runners, Sean and Keith did good respectively on their first try in this category. Two other first timers at the 10km category, Eddy and Sandy also made it to the finish line within good timings while Cheou and Nicholas improved their own timing in the same category.
To all the other KK Pacers; “CONGRATULATIONS! YOU ALL DID GREAT!!!"
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In conjunction with the Lantern Festival and also Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, we will be organising another potluck get-together at our favorite haunt ... Kota Kemuning Lakeside. It's time for all to have some fun with lanterns and sparklers ... it's either you join your kids or be the kids yourselves!!!
