Sunday, November 04, 2007

Terry Fox Run 2007...

Event: Terry Fox Run 2007
Venue: Tapak A, Lake Gardens, Kuala Lumpur
Date: 4 November 2007
Time: 9.00am
Distance: 8.14KM
Shoe: adidas Supernova Cushion 6
By Frank

Before you run through the report, pleace click the link here to know more about the late Terry Fox if you do not know who this great person is.

The Terry Fox Run 2007 has been successfully organised this morning. However, there were some shortcomings compared to the event last year. In terms from the number of runners this year, from what I have seen is that is lesser than last year. Nevertheless, the turnout is still pretty amazing. It is a non-competitive and charity run and there are 2 routes being the short route of 3KM and an advance route of 6.5KM. But from the distance above, I know I have entered 8.14KM. Why? Read on...

The start and finish line...

Me, Andy and William met up at around 8am. An hour to go before the start, we made ourselves comfortable by walking around enjoying the scenery and also helping ourselves to the free bananas. Then at 8.45am, a short warmup session by the Group X Demo Team from Fitness First is gone through. It was well received by all the runners around where everybody danced into together.

Bananas galore...

Warmup session by Fitness First...

The big shots from the Canadian High Commission...

At 9am, the run was started by someone from the Canadian High Commission. The start was pretty hectic though. The road was pretty narrow and it was jam packed with parents and their kids. I can't blame them for this as they are there for fun. However, I do not understand that why are there some teenagers walking and blocking the road everywhere. Can't they just make themselves to the side allowing a small passing lane for runners to run through. Many runners had to resort to running on the grass just to overtake them. Lucky no one fell, at least around me. The marshalls were great as cheerleaders lending support to everyone. However, the problem came as I completed the short route. There was no marker for the advance route and marshalls don't even know where to go. I was really suprised that the marshalls themselves didn't even know. With no one to ask around, I decided that I shall use the same route as I ran last year. There were marshalls around but did nothing but just sat there. Camera-mans from Lensa Malaysia was there with them too and they took plenty of my pictures as I ran alone. Nearing 10 minutes down the route, I saw the first runner coming from the opposite side. I felt something wrong here. Shortly later, more and more people came until I realised that I was actually running the other way around. *smacks head* I turned back and ran with the crowd until I saw the marker for the advance route. Took it and I was greeted by a steep uphill climb. I went for it, taking it as part of my training. The "doing nothing" marshalls I mentioned earlier now came "alive" and started cheering. Duh... Now that is why my distance is 8.14KM, as read by my footpod.

The crowd around the Milo van...

I crossed the finish line at 00:45:41. Perform my warm down and stretching while waiting for Andy and William. Andy arrived shortly but William was seriously off pace. Must be enjoying the scenery. Helped ourselves to the food but what was left was only bread. The muffins and bananas were all snatched up. And the queue for Milo was so long that we didn't even bother to look at it. Spotted Andrew later and we snapped a few photos before we left the place. Overall, it was a good run although it could have been so much better. But anyway, it's all for a good cause and I'm glad that we all are part of it.

Runnerz @ Terry Fox Run 2007...

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