An Appraisal of KLIM 2006

My Personal Timing

I started steady in slow pace after gun off at 5am. After all, it was easy to run slightly slower at a comfortable pace. Besides, 42km was a long way to go. After running for 5km, I identified my pacers – Lesley and Miss Lim. Both girls’ pace was quite similar to mine. Miss Lim ran with upright body posture and bubbly bounce stride, and their pace was so consistent that both of them were running abreast most of the time.

Running a marathon was just like cruising in a car but in much slower motion. I was running blissfully and at times paying attention to the passing traffic. I never fail to stop at water station for drinks. Depending on one’s perspective at the situation, one would say running is monotonous – running, looking around, drinking and the repeatable process is carried out countless time.

At 30km marker, the race official announced that my timing was 2 hours 46 minutes. I was delighted as it was fairly good timing (my standards) despite I was 6 minutes behind my previous timing of achieving sub-4 completion time. Doing a self-check at that moment, I was in good form -- no sign of tiredness. Somewhere at the 32km marker (opposite the Pekeliling Flats), I even caught up with Meng (Penguin-2) and we had a brief chat at the water station.

While cruising along at the 33km marker, there was a sudden pain in the left-side tendon of left knee. Oh No! I sensed trouble. Further down another kilometre, the pain was quite uncomfortable that I have to slow down at first and later walked. My hope of doing a sub-4 was immediately dashed. I was helpless and frustrated watching runners ran past me. Whenever a runner ran past, I would then try to run but I could barely run for 30 meters and then limped in pain. The final 8km took almost 1 hour 20 minutes.

Finally, I crossed the finishing line in 4 hours 22 minutes – four minutes faster than my previous worst timing. From the post-race analysis, I did not train hard enough. For next marathon, the two long runs would be increased in distance from 30km to 35km in order to condition the leg muscles.

The Event

In my opinion, the KLIM 2006 was organized in a structure and systematic manner amid certain areas that seriously require improvement. A lot of effort and time were spent by The Organizer to ensure smooth execution of the event. The critical requirements expected from runners such as ample water stations, traffic control, signage, first-aid were available.

From the scale of Level 1 to Level 5 -- where Level 5 is the highest -- in the classification of Basic, Expected, Delighted, Surprising and Unbelievable, I would think KLIM 2006 was in Level 2 – Expected. The organizer delivered something expected from runners with not much frills.

Depending on the accomplishment over the minus points, the standards would then raise accordingly. Let us hope that in KLIM 2007, our evaluation of the event could be upgraded to Delighted or Surprising Level.

Areas For Improvement

Unexciting T-shirt. The design was similar as 2003; the only distintive change was changing the year from 2003 to 2006. Oh Yes, it was blue this time!

Marketing. There was insufficient publicity about the KLIM 2006. On Saturday, one day before the race, what was published in the Star newspaper was a small photo showing AmBank staff participating in this event.

Quiet at starting time. That was below expectation. The woman announcer, who is in her 40s, could not perform this task well. She could not lift up the mood and raise the energy level of the runners. In SIM (Singapore International Marathon) 2004 and 2005, the runners were really charged up by the announcers with lively music that we could hardly can contain ourselves. I was amused with the song when runners rushed out of the starting gate: who let the dogs out …

Below were deviations from the guidelines:
Distance markers and mobile toilets (at 10km, 20km and 30km) were not visible.
The table cloth for 100 Plus drinks should be red; but out there, it was either white or blue in no particular order. However, Meng told me that the mobile toilets were actually there in bright day light when he went home after the race.

The marathon course needs to revamp: it has been the same course when I started running marathon since 2004 (not sure before my time). Besides, certain part of the course is congested with traffic and smell from the drains was terrible.

The image of FTAAA needs enhancement.

No cheerleading teams at all. Not only it was quiet at the starting line, it was also quiet the entire course. I received my first applause at the 9km marker in a construction site along Jalan Sungai Besi. A lone Indonesean worker was clapping hands from his shack in darkness. Of course, I could not see the person.

No announcement when a runner returned to the finishing line. It would be delightful if the announcer could announce the name of the runner.

Good Points For Praising

When collecting bib and T-shirt, each runner is given eight-page guidelines on DO’s and DON’Ts on race day. The guidelines were very detail. One useful piece of information was the detailed location map on Dataran Merdeka, the starting/finishing venue. For example, a runner would quickly identify where the toilets are located, provided a runner read the guidelines.

Number of runners seemed slightly more than last year. I heard it was more than 1,000 marathon runners.

Start on time. Yes, punctuality was important as all races start on time.

There were many volunteers manning water stations and all were actively performing their tasks.

The first aid staff were very helpful and gave prompt first aid treatment when requested.

At every road junction, the traffic policemen were there to control traffic and gave priority to runners to cross the road.

As mentioned in the guidelines, there would be more water stations. It was true. I was worried that I over-drink. Unfortunately, many runners have the wasteful habits: they took the 325cc bottled water, drank a few mouthfuls and then threw them away. I heard that the slower runners later did not have sufficient water to drink.

Most of the roads along the marathon course were newly resurfaced and that gave a smooth running effect.

Announcement of timing at 10km, 20km and 30km markers by race officials. That was not an easy task if the announcement was to continue for hours.

It was cooler in the morning before 8am. Running SIM in December 2005 was hot.

Just before the 30km marker, Power Gel was distributed to runners 20 meters before water station. That was a better idea as the gel needed water to gulp down the throat.

We are lucky to have beautiful backdrop at Dataran Merdeka as the starting and finishing venue. Besides, there were a live band and the drums. There were many booths set up at the field too.

One area that was delightful was the Nike mini pools filled with ice cubes for runners to soak their tired legs. However, a few runners would think that hot water would improve blood circulation but not cold water.

Yes, The Organizers were thoughtful to engaged four maseours for runners that required good massage. My sympathy went to the two lady maseours who have to tend to long queues of guys mostly having leg pain problems. So, when the leg pain was subsided, the hand pain (of the two ladies) would intensify.

Distribution of goodie bags for completing the marathon. It was a noble idea something for runners to take home though there was not much in the bag. Otherwise, one would go home with two bunches of bananas (empty handed with five fingures pointing downwards that look like a bunch of bananas).

By KC