Race Review Conquer Kiara 14 km Trail Run.
Headline Event Owners: GAME CHANGER EVENTS Race Director: Undisclosed
Event Organising Company: Game Changer Events
PRE RACE.
Entry and information: Easy registration at a fair price. Regular updates of information regarding all aspects of the event. One minor hitch: The start venue was changed but by just a short distance and to a better location.
Race registration and kit collection: I can never understand why organisers do it but kit collection was the week-end before the event. I was away at another event so had to arrange for a postal delivery to be made, so I cannot comment on how this aspect performed.
Regarding the kit, the event singlet was not of the best quality, certainly, for me, I doubt it will ever be worn.
Race site Facilities: As it was a small event, less than 500 participants, the start/finish point was adequate and the public toilet block was sufficient for the needs of the field. There was no pre-race water available. The medical cover was one ambulance and crew, they proved up to the task of coping with all the minor sprains, strains and bruises.
Parking: There was only road-side parking and as is the norm here all the no parking signs were totally ignored and cars lined both sides of the adjacent road. Shuttles: There were no shuttles provided.
Competitors: Pre race information was constant and e-mailed to participants; however there were just a few things that could have been improved.
The course markings were not explained, although they were explained in the runners guide. But, we all know that not everybody reads the guide.
Just a few minutes before the allotted start time of seven am it was announced that due to the sun not being up the start would be delayed ten minutes. Not in its self a problem but it isn’t difficult to find out what time the sun rises.
At the start a number of unnumbered individuals jumped into the pack in front of the start line and at least one was seen ducking out just before the finish line. Organisers really should do all they can to stop ghost runners it’s both unfair on those who have paid to run and dangerous.
RACE.
Organisation: With the exception of the above the event was very well organised.
Course: The trails on this track were excellent, but I believe that the race director is a sadist! That bloody killer of a hill right at the very end, what was he (she) thinking. The course was very well marked but you did have to work it out for yourself, an explanation of the course markings at the start line would have saved a few moments of dithering on my part and may have saved the one or two who took the wrong route? The track was a very good test of skill and stamina; did I mention that bloody killer of a steep hill at the end? There were some testing technical downhills, I have one black and one very red big-toe nail to prove it, plus some testing ascents, did I mention that bloody killer of a mountain at the end?
For me, the course was spoilt somewhat by the over long road section just after half-way, but, benefit of doubt, it was probably unavoidable. All road sections were run on unclosed roads with just one traffic officer in attendance and at times the traffic verses runners became quite nervy.
Some participants complained of a long course, I clocked 14.4ish which I think is more than acceptable in a trail event. I did notice one or two runners taking loops around inclines perhaps this could have caused some inaccuracies?
Marshalling and water stations: The volunteers did there bit at all points they were positioned, clear concise instructions with a smile and a cheer, thanks all.
One complaint from me, thanks to the Red Bull girls for the mid-run pick-me-ups but please in future do not allow cans to be taken away as there were several cans strewn along the trail after your hand out area. This is not the fault of Red Bull or the organisers it is the sheer bloody mindedness of the very few that ruin it for the rest of us.
POST RACE.
The post-race was smooth and efficient and although there was very little choice of food and drink what was available was plentiful and appreciated.
Top placings were quickly announced.
The FULL results were available in a very timely manner, yes full results rather than just individual results and on THE SAME DAY, great job Runners Unite Event Timing. Please for the future think about age grouping the results it would be just great for any oldie like me to know how we compare to our peers.
My overall score for this event is 82.5% marked down for the few minor ‘errors’ but mainly the lack of traffic control. These can all be improved on and I for one am pleased that I ‘gambled’ on entering an event by, what I am led to believe is, a new organiser, well to running events at least. I would not hesitate to join another of their events in the future.
Overall I think the Race Director and all who have been involved can be proud of a job well managed, enjoyable if not quite a completely safe event.
Happy Running
When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
Other comments;
Scott Coleman: Thank you to the organiser of the event for a well organised race with a clearly marked course and plenty of helpful stewards who had to stand out on the trails! As I was trying to run competitively, it was easy for me to start at the front, kick off as fast as i could and avoid some of the crowds and stick to my own pace. Looking forward to next years event already, thank you again!!
Kevin Loh: I understand that u can't be 100% accurate on the distance but 2km is way off. Too much petty error by the organiser. First the printing error on 2015, then the mistake that the sleeveless t shirt is transparent (pity the ladies), followed by the "boo boo" on the map location and now the actual distance of the trail.
Jaslena Ahmad: Definitely more than 14km and definitely brutal - especially that "wall" we had to climb at 12km. Cut off time should have been longer to allow more people to make it in time. It is a race open to the general public after all, not a Hash Harriers club race.....
Rahimah Elias: Yes.. It was really brutal.. Suppose got banana before the wall climbing.. Huhu
My personal race.
My first trail run of 2016 and yes I am still undertrained.
The weather was good to us, not too hot and humid. The challenging nature of the track and the roads added to the difficulty of the course, did I mention that bloody killer of a hill?
Given the above, I am most happy with my performance on the day, at least I know I didn’t leave anything at the start line and things will only get better as the year goes on.
Finishing time 2:18:25. Veteran [40+]: 34th. of 133. Overall: 73rd. of 394.
Just a comforting thought; with only three other trail runs under my belt, I could, at sixty-seven years of age, still be considered a novice.
Congratulations to our Champions:
Mens Open Muhammad Asdi Bin Weding 1:23:15
Womens Open Danielle Nant 1:43:24
Mens Veteran…. Jason Paul Robinson 1:25:37
Womens Veteran….Joanne Louise Dent 1:42:11
