Race Review KL Possible Run
EVENT. KL Possible Run. 10k
Padang Merbok, Kuala Lumpur
20 March 2016 Time 07:00 [07:00]
Headline Event Owners: Kelab Sukan Generasi Kejayaan RIA Race Director: Undisclosed
Event Organising Company: Kelab Sukan Generasi Kejayaan RIA
Race Review SCORE CARD
PRE RACE.
Entry and information:
Event entry, through Howei, was very straight forward with the basic information in place prior to entry. However, updates of information were almost non-existent and the course map was just about indecipherable, even having run the course I could not repeat it on google maps.
Besides that, the course was a double hill with some quite severe inclines so the map without the topography was about as useful as a drinking straw without the hole up the centre.
The organisers are a mystery to me, their Face Book page has never been updated or used since their original up load. If they have a web-site, it is very obscure but I did find a BlogSpot where their last entry was in January 2013. I have tried contacting them by e-mail without success.
Value of entry price* at RM50+ was very reasonable.
Race registration and kit collection: Collection was on the two days prior to the FTKLAA offices in central KL, once you got there the collection procedure was well organised and efficient. But, yet another organiser not offering a postal service for those who do not live in KL, yes there is life outside of the capitol.
Race site Facilities:
Padang Merbok is a well-used venue for many events throughout the year. It offers a good space that caters for all the requirements of pre and post run preparation and cool-down.
What spoilt the pre-race was the organisers reliance on the on-site toilet facilities, being just four cubicles in the male’s block, and I assume the same for the ladies, and what is even worse is that there was a 50sen charge to use them, a profiteering move by the attendants by the look of the hand written paper price tag stuck to the window. Queues were out of the door, an example of the organisers not attending to the needs of the participants, as was the lack of any water etc. pre-race.
Staffing numbers seemed quite high, however, there was no organisation. For example: There was a starting ribbon that each competitor had to collect pre-start. There was notice of this given out, people were allowed, me included, into the starting pen without the required ribbon, only at the eleventh hour was an announcement made that the ribbon was required, which led to a mass exodus from the pen to find the people who were handing out the ribbons
Parking: On street parking only and no shuttles
Care of Competitors:
No organised warm up, a farce of a starting system, no starting chute management and no timing system of any kind just about sums it up. But we did start on time
Medical facilities at the start/finish was adequate.
RACE.
Organisation:
Course management:
Traffic control and course signage was good. The double hill factored into the route made it both difficult and enjoyable. The on course marshalling was sufficient and of good quantity. There was some complaining that there were not sufficient water tables but two seems about right for a ten kilometre event, the stations were well staffed and stocked.
The race organiser advised that there was to be medical facilities on course in the way of a patrolling ambulance, it was unnoticed by me, let’s hope it was not needed.
Medals were given as you crossed the line, food and water collection was very close to the finish.
POST RACE.
The choice of food was nil, just a banana. Drinks were a choice of isotonic, water and Milo.
Top placings were not announced until the prizes were handed out, the ceremony was timely but not too long winded. However, there has been no top placing results posted anywhere on social and no extended results can be given as the place recorders stopped marking down placings at ten, so if you were not in the top ten then you will never know how you did.
I did ask an official why no rankings were being logged when there were two people at each age group finish area literally doing nothing. I suggested numbered sheets and simply write in the bib number as each person came through. He answered “I don’t know, I am busy and he brushed past and disappeared.
AFTER EVENT
To date I have found nothing relating to the event from the organisers. My e-mail asking for comment on my draft review has gone unacknowledged and unanswered.
*Based on price against other similar events as advertised.
My overall score for this event is 54%. Too many minor ‘errors’ in planning and a lack of participant care turned a good course into a very ordinary event. Officials did not seem to be interested in any form of dialogue regarding the event.
Overall I think the Race Director and all involved should be more intent on putting on a good event, they have not covered some of the most basic of requirements.
Happy Running
When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
Other comments;
Ezni Mohd Fauzy should provide protable toilet. Nurdyana Barirah Zakaria Hopefully the event organizer provides enough water along the routes. 2 water stations won't be enough even before running start badan kita sudah mula keluarkan peluh coz of the heat from the ground and the surrounding.
My personal race.
I must admit that I did start quite stressed having been forced to leave the starting chute just three minutes from start time to collect a ribbon but that aside I can say that I did enjoy my run. Having run in the area once previously I knew there would be hills but, due to the lack of any course information, when and how many would be a surprise. Well the first one was long and steep but I actually coped well and made a net gain of positions. However, the second was a different storey, a walk up the hill, well the last third did see me lose a number of places but I finished quite strongly and chased down all but one of my ‘targets’ to finish in who knows what positions but outside the top ten in the senior veterans.
I missed my target time by thirty-eight seconds in 50:38 (74.95% Age-Graded)
Congratulations to our Champions but unfortunately I did not have a pen and paper with me so I cannot remember who you were.
