Accommodation for SIM 2007

Note: For runners who would want to register for the ADVENTURUN 2007, the organizer will open a booth at Bukit Aman car park on this Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Since this is a charity run in aid of HIV patients, it is good that all the kind hearted runners to support and run in this event.

This run is organized by a group of energetic and kind hearted students from Taylor’s College. It will be staged at the scenic Taman Pertanian Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam, Shah Alam on Sunday 7 October at 7:00 a.m.

Either Jason Lee or Hon You, Pacesetters Club Photographers, will be there to take photos.

Singapore International Marathon 2007

The response was simply overwhelming. I was informed by Pacesetters Club President to update the latest status in Pacesetters Website that the 50 hotel rooms from Peninsula-Excelsior have all been taken up by members. Looks like many runners will have to look for accommodation elsewhere in order to run the Singapore International Marathon (“SIM”) on 2 December 2007.
.

Returning to Peninsular hotel (building with blue top) after collecting race entry packs (2006)

Pacesetters runners like to stay in this 4-start hotel because it is very near to the starting point of SIM. A mere 200 meters away, it is even much nearer than the distance from car park to the starting point of Kuala Lumpur International Marathon at Dataran Merdeka.

The room rates, however, have been skyrocketing every year: from about RM 200 equivalent (in December 2004) and now it is RM 400. Nevertheless, this is still the preferred choice for most runners.

Steven P5, after hearing the news, immediately started looking for alternative accommodation. He has to act fast because there are more than 10 runners in his group depending on his decision and action. He managed to ask around and one runner said there is accommodation in Bugis street hotel, only SGD 50 for twin-sharing room. Well, that is much cheaper than the Peninsular-Excelsior rate which is SGD 180. For runners, we just settle for a clean and comfortable bed, everything else is optional.
.

Josie Yap will be running her maiden full marathon in SIM 2007

Nothing compared to my experience when running the Pangkor Half Marathon a few years ago. Staged on a Sunday that coincided with May 1 long public holidays, all the hotels in Pangkor Island near Bogak Beach (the starting area) were all fully booked. So we ended up in a China-man hotel by the name of Chuan Fu Hotel – a double-story shop house converted into a hotel at the Pangkor Town.

My room at ground floor which was located at the back of the shop house was just next to a kennel. Luckily, the bull dog did not bark the whole night. The hotel was also full house with most Pacesetters runners putting up a night there. It was like the “lung moon hark chan” as in the Chinese sword fighting movie – Dragon Inn. All the fighters would assembler there for the night and prepare for the fight (the half marathon run) the next day.
.In unison: Weng, Hoo, Marvin, and Hoo brother

Bugis street hotel – if I am not wrong, I think Bugis street is famous for its red-light activities. Pardon me if I am wrong as my Geography is only as good as one of the world famous President. The red-light girls there will not understand why the Malaysian guys have no time for entertainment but just want to eat and sleep early. And the girls will be shocked to see semi-naked men walk out in the wee hours just when the girls (and guys) are going to “sau kung” (close shop) on a busy Saturday night. That must be a new kind of cultural shock for the girls/guys of Bugis street.

Anyway, Steven P5 called me again today and he said that there was a miscommunication. Pacesetters Club actually has reserved three rooms for him. Well, that ended the exciting story from Bugis street hotel.
.

SB Lai at Orchard Street (2006)

Meantime, enjoy your training and running. As for me, I will give this SIM2007 a miss while patiently waiting for my heel pain to completely heal.

Please click here to re-visit posting and view photos of SIM 2006.

Please click here to read the story of Pangkor Half Marathon and Dragon Inn Hotel written by yours truly on 5 May 2004. Strangely, all the photos in late Terence’s weblog (penguin-6) were not available.

Written by KC