This report focused on how this event fared rather than my running experience in Adidas KoTR.
Sunday’s weather in Shah Alam was cloudy and it was a perfect day to run a long distance race. During the race, there were a number of shortcomings that need improvement.
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Another appraisal from these two runners
The shortcomings on race day are:
1. No constant distance markers. “12km to go” marker appeared twice in 2 different water stations
2. No-ice race. All refreshment stations can hardly find an ice cube. Carbonated drink and sponge are served warm.
3. Carbonated drinks are served at all stations and no plain water available.
4. Lack of refreshment stations – more water stations after 15km mark would be better.
5. The last and most important water station dried out by 7k and 10k runners
6. Only one volunteer to distribute the checker wrist band. He must be panic that all the wrist bands fell on the road. In desperation to dish out the bands, some runners were given 4 or more bands. I have five.
7. The running route was part of a busy road and runners were running side-by-side with big trucks and buses.
8. Too many roundabouts and traffics along the whole route. I even heard one Indon Metro bus driver cursing the runners with four letter words for being trapped in the flash jam at the roundabout.
Prior to the race day, shortcomings on bib collection center are:
1. Unorganized bib collection counters – it took Weng three hours to collect all the bib numbers and vests
2. Unprofessional (rather rude) counter staff – it happened to Weng’s one of his collection receipts which was issued on early stage but no name stated in the receipt. When Weng handed the unnamed receipt to one of the counter lady staff with intention to collect on behalf, the following response was heard: “Ini siapa? Tiada name! Hantu kah?” (who is this, no name, ghost?)
After all, AKOTR 2008 turned out to be unimpressive one, based on my rating. Unlike last year’s AKOTR - with fresh air, zero traffic, and sun rise in the horizon, I really felt and was the King of the Road.
By Steven P5
Posted by KC
3 comments:
we agreed totally. One of the worst race being organized this year !
the water stations were a total let down. Ran 15km without a single sip of water!
Yup, quite a number of blogs gave a bad review (except 1 because the runners finished top 10 and did not see what the middle and back runners went through)
Actually, I should have listen to my better judgment during the registration process and gave this run a skip. The first impression of Adidas was already poor. Details as follows during registration process:
Mr K of Adidas had ask several bloggers to push the event via their blogs stating that forms will be out by a certain date. The registration start date was also stated in the form). However, the forms were not out until 2 weeks later.
I called their HQ to make an inquiry and noted that their receptionist does not pick up the phone despite calling several times on different days.
So, giving Adidas the benefit of the doubt, I went personally to their HQ and was shocked that their receptionist at HQ did not even know that Adidas have organised KOTR and the forms were suppose to be out at the date of my visit. She queried and look at me "confidently" as though I was a fool to visit them and to ask for the registration form. I left empty handed.
I called Adidas Shah Alam (SACC mall) and they did not bother picking up the phone even though I tried calling on different days.
I then went to Adidas Mid Valley twice and the staff was not aware about the event even although the forms were suppose to be out already as per Mr K via blogs.
I noted that Adidas did not even bother advertising KOTR on their own website or accept on-line registration. This is another e.g. to demo that they are really not interested in the event and I am baffled as to why they bother organising the race in the first place.
this is by far the worst organized run in Selangor this year... complete disaster even before the start of the race...
adidas should really look into this and do something about this... it cant even compare to Malakof Penang race held on the same day...
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