Prelude to Genting Trailblazer Challenge

With only a few more days to go, the Penguin Runners who will be representing The SUN newspaper in the Genting Trailblazer Challenge are all charged up for the challenges ahead. Let us hear from them what secrete training they are undergoing in order to be well-prepared for this event.

Team Penguin X

For the past weeks, Weng and Steven (Penguin-5) were embarking on seemingly commando style of training. They built up their stamina by running every evening: running up hills; running down hills; running up and down staircases. Yes, when it rains in the evening, running at the stairs in house countless times is in fact quite similar to the tough terrain challenge, minus the messy mud and water. It also helps the body on balancing when landing firmly on the undulating terrain.

Adding on to the intensity, Weng even ties two weight-bar belts to both his legs to run. He must have gotten the idea from watching the Shoaling Kung Fu movies in training action. Weng anticipates his trekking shoes (1.5kg each side when dry) will be much heavier after going through the streams and mud pit. With the weight belts on, Weng runs with almost 4kg heavier for each leg. As for Steven, besides running to build up his stamina, he also go to the gym to work out on his legs, stomach, knees, and arms.

Not only that, they also put on their thinking cap on the best outfits they should wear during the race. Knowing that they will go through a spectrum of challenges like steep hills, bushes, “lalang” field, slippery hill slopes, mud pit, etc., they have come out with specially designed outfits (not to be reviewed prematurely due to patent and copyright issue) which will “protect” them from getting cut and bruises, and from losing their shoes and shorts in the mud pit.

YES! Penguin X is all fired up and ready to conquer this year’s meaner and muddier Genting Trailblazer challenges on this coming Sunday, 3 September 2006.

By Steven

Please click here to view photos taken by Weng on The SUN Genting Trailblazer boot camp – on how they were selected.

Team Mountain 'O' Men

Both the experienced mountain guys, Tony (Penguin-3) and ChongYF, are now in the final stage of preparation for blazing the trails. Other than the usual training on stamina and endurance, Tony has added super fast running into his tough training regime. He represented RHB Bank and participated in the Inter-Bank Athletics Meet from 26-27 August specializing in 100-meter and 400-meter track events.

He was proud to announce that RHB Bank got second placing overall, and he secured second placing in the 4 x 100 meters relay and clocked in 12.7 seconds in the 100 meters, and 60 seconds in the 400 meters. What an achievement in the 100-meter event considering that his timing was only slightly behind the world-class record.

While Tony is busy on the plain, his partner Chong YK, was trekking up Gunung Tahan and conquered the peak on Monday 28 August. With the 4D3N endeavour, the toughness is almost equivalent – if not more – to taking the Genting Trailblazer Challenge albeit in slower motion with extended duration.

In order to be well-equipped with the wet, slippery, and tough terrain before race day, Tony has planed to trek Gunung Ansi in Seremban on Merdeka Day, 31 August with his group of trekkers and a few of the Trailblazer team members – just in time for the real challenge. Besides, raising the Jalur Gemilang (national flag) at the peak on that day would be an auspicious effort to show their patriotism.

YES! It is going to be a competitive and yet fun race for the Mountain 'O' Men with the youthful look and the young-at-heart minds.

By Tony

Edited by KC

Larian Merdeka & Mizuno Promo

Photos are by courtesy of Weng. Please click here to view 63 photos taken by Weng.

Training for Rat Race

I was awakening not by the sound of alarm clock but by the sound of pouring rain on Sunday 27 August at 5.30am. Oh No, Not again! The previous training back in a few months ago, we were always disturbed by the rain.

It spoiled my plan: park my car at Bukit Aman car park; run slowly to Bursa Malaysia Building, then practise running the 5km actual course at blistering pace; run slowly back to Bukit Aman car park in time to “KPC” (busybody) for the Mizuno special promotion at Bukit Aman car park.

I woke up at 8.30am and I felt guilty of not doing anything serious since I am supposed to train for the impending The EDGE Executive Rat Race. So, I decided to run alone at the nearby MPSJ (Subang Jaya Municipal Council) track and field area.
Filepix 2005 The EDGE Executive Rat Race

I have not been running for many days due to the evening rain. I was lucky not having stuck in the traffic jam enduring the flash flood. My body was feeling a little lethargic. I never like running at the track because one round is about 400 meters and it could be very monotonous running round and round.

When I reached the MPSJ field, they were quite a lot of people doing the Sunday morning aerobic exercise. The atmosphere was bustling with the lively dance music blaring from the two huge loudspeakers. 95% of them were ladies and a few men joined in the exercise while a few men were seen doing the exercise from a distance (I presume they were a little shy). As for yours truly, I just focus on my own running not distracted by the aerobic session and the beautiful girls around.

I ran slowly for the first 15 minutes. When I passed by the aerobic area, automatically, I would run at faster pace. I also don’t know why. That was the invincible motivation power to propel one to achieve greater heights.

The next half hour was a tough experience for me – speeding time. I would run at much faster speed and at times, ran as fast as I could; needless to say, you know which area of the field was for full throttle ahead. Running at fast pace was tough and the body always wanted to slow down or stop.

The next 15 minutes was for slow running as a warm down process. After the one-hour training run, I felt much better.

This coming Sunday 3 September, there would be the Genting Trailblazer Challenge and the Rat Race is only two days later – Tuesday, 5 September. I would be taking photos in the Trailblazer Challenge.

By KC

Appearing in The SUN and The EDGE

“Get The SUN newspaper and buy The EDGE magazine,” one of my running friends sent sms to me on Monday morning, 21 August. “Report is out on RHB Group’s participation in the Kuala Lumpur Rat Race 2006.”

I managed to get a copy of The SUN newspaper and immediately, I started frantically flipping the pages. Yes, there was the story on Page 13. Though the photo was a little small, I could easily recognize it. Of course, with such a small-sized group photo, only Steven, Tony and I, where we will represent RHB Bank in this event, could recognize where we were standing.

Last week, the Penguin runners were excited over the participation in the coming Genting Trailblazer Challenge. So, this week, the topic was changed to The EDGE Kuala Lumpur Rat Race.

As for The EDGE magazine, I managed to buy a copy in the evening at a Shell petrol station in USJ after a few failed attempts at the newsstands.

Though the two reports were written by the same reporters (two young Chinese girls), the contents were better in The EDGE. It mentioned about corporate social responsibility which was most appropriate by any organization to contribute to charity for a good cause.

Well, running has a better meaning for me when running in this special event.

By KC

The EDGE Rat Race 2006

Yahoo! The once a year Executive Rat Race is back again on Tuesday 5 September. This is my favourite short distance race. It is a 5km charity race opens to all registered companies with Bursa Malaysia (formerly KLSC). Each team consists of five runners of executive or management ranking.

This race is unique as runners are required to run in smart office attire and the race starts at 5pm! Besides, this is the only race in Kuala Lumpur where there is a concentration of cheerleading teams cheering and supporting the runners. If your office is around the Golden Triangle of Kuala Lumpur, come and join in the fun.

With Malkeet Kaur, one of the Bank's runners in the Rat Race.

Other than running the Race, the fun moment is to meet some of the Pacesetters running friends there, in different running attire: May Ching will be representing Acenture Consulting; Mr. Khoo, Southern Bank; Mr. Yeo, BAT; and a few others.

The Champion Team

RHB Group has been the strongest supporter of The EDGE Executive Rat Race in 2005 by sending the biggest contingent of runners – 12 teams (60 runners). It was an honour for me as my team of five runners emerged as the Champion Team competing with the other 100 teams. According to the Management, RHB Bank would want to defend the Championship title this year and that request gave me a little pressure to run fast again.

Photo Session

On Thursday 17 August, Tony (P3), Steven (P5) and I went to RHB Centre for photo session. Yes, the three fast Penguin Runners will be representing RHB Bank in The EDGE Executive Rat Race 2006. From the number of participants, RHB Group will be sending a big contingent again.

Rehearsal on Actual Course

We went for a scheduled training run on actual course on Saturday 19 August, 8:00 a.m. starting at Bursa Malaysia building. I was there early at 7:30 a.m. and the first familiar person that I met was Mr. Mak, Vice President of Risk Management, of Bursa Malaysia who will represent his company in this race. He was warming up in preparation for his training run too on the actual course with his team of runners.

Tony, Steven and I were there together with other runners of management staff from RHB Group. Running in the morning was much favourable compare to running in the afternoon. It was not hot; with fewer vehicles, lesser exhaust fumes. At the start, I was running at fast but manageable and consistent pace. My lung seemed to be slightly at ease with the faster pace, thanks to the preceding many sessions of speed training on my own.

Filepix: 2005 Champion Team

I remembered last year that I ran so fast that I could feel my heart would pound right through my chest. The condition was made worst with the effect of hot afternoon sun.

To read The EDGE Executive Rat Race 2005 reports, please click September 2005 Achieve on the left sidebar of this KC&SR Web site.

By KC

Appearing in The SUN

I was excited to see the familiar group photo showing the six selected teams at the recent The SUN Genting Trailblazer boot camp. The SUN newspaper CityPlus page on Friday, 18 August with the title “Six to blaze trail for The SUN” caught my attention.

Immediately, I contacted Steven and Tony and inform the other Penguin runners. The four (Tony, ChongYF, Steven and Weng) later received congratulatory messages and praises from the other runners.


As representative of The SUN, the teams will be given the full run package, which is all paid for, including participation fee, accommodation and a jamboree camp fire dinner.

Since the four marathon runners are tough guys, Teams Mountain ‘O’ Men (Tony and Chong) and Penguin X (Steven and Weng) will be competing in the Wild Category with a 14km race of rugged jungle trails, hilly terrains and slippery streams – that involve fitness, endurance, brainpower and team work.

All the best to you guys and have lots of fun blazing in the trail challenge!

Please scroll down the postings to read the story and view photos at the Trailblazer boot camp taken on Saturday 12 August.

By KC

Updates on Trailblazer Challenge

I met Steven (P5) and Tony (P3) this morning at the photo session for the EDGE Executive Rat Race 2006 representing RHB Bank (photos are ready for next posting). Steven told me about the updates in the Genting Trailblazer Challenge.

On the eve of the event (Saturday 2 September), there will be jamboree camp fire, dinner and entertainment to welcome participants in the cool environment of Awana. As I understand, more than 30 teams are from Pacesetters runners that will take on this challenge. BRAVO!

The following Penguin Runners will be representing The SUN newspaper in the Genting Trailblazer Challenge on Sunday 3 September: Steven, Weng, Tony and ChongYS.

Together with CS Wong, another photographer, yours truly will be there taking photos and supporting my running friends.

Please click here to check out the latest race updates on:

The SUN Genting Trailblazer Boot Camp
The new Wild trail
Pre-race programme
Photos of the new trail
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Photo on the right is just one of the photos from the Trailblazer web site.

By KC