Written by Josie
Friendly smile of RMAF personnel greet us as we drove into the entrance of the air base, gesturing to us the way to park our car. With all the RMAF personnel around, one couldn’t help but feel excited as if we are going on a military mission. Everything was done in such an orderly but friendly manner. There was no tussle and hustle as runners board the buses to the starting point at the runway which is 2km away from the entrance..
As soon as officials gunned off the 21km run, a single firework display shoot up to the sky with everyone clapping hands and cheering wildly. Immediately it was followed by a series of shooting of flares that brightens up the runway as we run. It was the most exhilarating feeling to run on the runway for the 1st time. With the exception of fast runners, nobody seems to be in a hurry to speed run on the 2km runway. One runner jokingly said he is too heavy to take off from the runway unlike an aircraft. That’s why he is still stuck on the ground…:-)
Running into the city re-lived the memory of KLIM as the route is almost similar. However, the similarity stops there as there were notable differences in the way this event was organized. One can’t help but feel impressed by the markers that can be seen at almost every 2km. Mobile toilets were placed strategically along the route for runners.,
At Dataran Merdeka
Smiling faces of the RMAF personnel greet runners at ample drinks and sponging stations. 100plus drinks served was genuine 100plus drink and not 100plus drink that taste more like ‘sky juice’. Even plain water has some ice in it so that runners can enjoy the cool icy water.
Pleasant surprise awaits runners after 10km nearby Dataran Merdeka. Each runner was given a pack of Power Gel. It was really a rare occasion where runners were given free Power Gel for a half marathon event..
Josie
With such nice atmosphere, even the weather was good although 21km run had started only at 6.30am. At certain times, it was even cloudy with cool breeze. Another plus point is that the running routes for other categories were different except for maybe for a distance of 1 to 2km. Thus, 21km runners do not have to jostle with runners from other categories at the water or sponging stations or zigzag its way through the route.
Well, even the FTAAA officials manning at the reporting and finishing point were more friendly than usual. Wouldn’t it be nice if they are always like that in all the running events?.
Any doubt of joining this event had long time disappeared from the moment I stepped my feet on the runway. After the tough NB PACM 15km the previous Sunday, I had told myself that I should have registered for the 10km category instead or even give this event a skip. I am so glad that I did not change my mind about joining. It was a great event not to be missed.
All fellow runners that I bumped into after the race shared the same opinion that it was a very well organized event. There is no doubt that every runner leave the place feeling satisfied and probably will have no second thoughts of joining if it is held again next year. Thumbs up to RMAF for being such a fantastic organizer.
Written by Josie
Note by KC: BRAVO to the organizer in the military department. Much like military operations, they must be executing all the tasks or activities with absolute detail and with military precision.
Shooting of flares that brightens up the runway as we run – Well, that must be really an exciting moments, and very different from all the other runs. I really missed the fun: it must be like running for some rescue operations guided by the flares – as in the movies.
Friendly smile of RMAF personnel greet us as we drove into the entrance of the air base, gesturing to us the way to park our car. With all the RMAF personnel around, one couldn’t help but feel excited as if we are going on a military mission. Everything was done in such an orderly but friendly manner. There was no tussle and hustle as runners board the buses to the starting point at the runway which is 2km away from the entrance..
As soon as officials gunned off the 21km run, a single firework display shoot up to the sky with everyone clapping hands and cheering wildly. Immediately it was followed by a series of shooting of flares that brightens up the runway as we run. It was the most exhilarating feeling to run on the runway for the 1st time. With the exception of fast runners, nobody seems to be in a hurry to speed run on the 2km runway. One runner jokingly said he is too heavy to take off from the runway unlike an aircraft. That’s why he is still stuck on the ground…:-)
Running into the city re-lived the memory of KLIM as the route is almost similar. However, the similarity stops there as there were notable differences in the way this event was organized. One can’t help but feel impressed by the markers that can be seen at almost every 2km. Mobile toilets were placed strategically along the route for runners.,
At Dataran MerdekaSmiling faces of the RMAF personnel greet runners at ample drinks and sponging stations. 100plus drinks served was genuine 100plus drink and not 100plus drink that taste more like ‘sky juice’. Even plain water has some ice in it so that runners can enjoy the cool icy water.
Pleasant surprise awaits runners after 10km nearby Dataran Merdeka. Each runner was given a pack of Power Gel. It was really a rare occasion where runners were given free Power Gel for a half marathon event..
JosieWith such nice atmosphere, even the weather was good although 21km run had started only at 6.30am. At certain times, it was even cloudy with cool breeze. Another plus point is that the running routes for other categories were different except for maybe for a distance of 1 to 2km. Thus, 21km runners do not have to jostle with runners from other categories at the water or sponging stations or zigzag its way through the route.
Well, even the FTAAA officials manning at the reporting and finishing point were more friendly than usual. Wouldn’t it be nice if they are always like that in all the running events?.
Any doubt of joining this event had long time disappeared from the moment I stepped my feet on the runway. After the tough NB PACM 15km the previous Sunday, I had told myself that I should have registered for the 10km category instead or even give this event a skip. I am so glad that I did not change my mind about joining. It was a great event not to be missed.
All fellow runners that I bumped into after the race shared the same opinion that it was a very well organized event. There is no doubt that every runner leave the place feeling satisfied and probably will have no second thoughts of joining if it is held again next year. Thumbs up to RMAF for being such a fantastic organizer.
Written by Josie
Note by KC: BRAVO to the organizer in the military department. Much like military operations, they must be executing all the tasks or activities with absolute detail and with military precision.
Shooting of flares that brightens up the runway as we run – Well, that must be really an exciting moments, and very different from all the other runs. I really missed the fun: it must be like running for some rescue operations guided by the flares – as in the movies.
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