Running on Old Legs Race Review Camel Muar Cross-country 24.195 kms.
EVENT. Muar Cross Country 24.195 km.
Muar, Johor
05 June 2016 Time 05:30
Headline Event Owners: CAMEL MUAR CLUB Race Director: Undisclosed
Event Organising Company: Camel Muar Club
Race Review SCORE CARD
PRE RACE.
Entry and information:
Entry was via Howei and was as easy and informative as they usually are but in hind-sight I was very disappointed with the course description.
I am still trying, with little success, to work out what Malaysians consider Cross Country to mean. Having been brought up with cross country as my main running environment I expect to be running on grass and tracks not on tarmac and compacted hard-core roadways as this event was. I even inquired, at the kit collection venue, about the course, as I was unsure what shoes to wear, and was told that the first ten kilometres were on road then ‘jungle’. The reality was the first twelve on road then onto about one to one and a half on track/hard-core then back on tarmac. There was no more than two to two and a half kilometres off of tarmac or hard-core.
If there was a trades descriptions act?
Event information, other than above, was kept up to date on the various Face Book and web-site pages.
I do feel that the entry price of RM117.60 is a little to excessive, and the fact that there was an extra RM10 for non-Malaysians completely baffles me as to why, other than because they can.
Race registration and kit collection:
Collection point and date was good, as it was at the start area the day prior, for those who did not take up the postal service. I did notice that there were a few people collecting bibs on the morning of the race so the organisers were obviously very flexible and were thinking of the participants.
Race site Facilities:
The event start/finish was in a school so space at the venue was more than ample with good toilet facilities and condition.
Water and isotonic free flow was available pre-race.
Plenty of staff and volunteers were around should anyone have needed help or information.
Parking:
Apparently there was ample parking available at the rear of the school, this was made quite evident by the lack of on-street parking that occurred.
Care of Competitors:
There was no organised warm up, but, that apart I doubt we could have been looked after any better than we were.
Starting time was spot on and the timing systems were top notch. Although there was no actual control of the starting chute with less than seven-hundred starters this proved not to be a problem.
It would seem that issuing an emergency number, just in case, is not something that has gotten into the Malaysian off-road running scene as of yet. However, the medical facilities throughout the course were superb, there were medic at every check-point and some in between.
RACE.
Organisation:
Course management:
Traffic control, space and signage could not be faulted.
Marshalling quantity and quality was first rate and for the most part very enthusiastic, one or two more so than the participants.
Feed stations were to say the very least ample, the staffing was by well-trained individuals, although I did have one problem, which I can only put down to my cockney accent, I approaching a station I called for water, as all the stations had water and isotonic by the bucket full, All I got in response was blank faces and wide-open mouths, until I had passed the last table, at which point someone had translated my single word and called back “Water got” but too late.
The course, as already alluded to earlier, was a let-down, well at least to me. I would have had no problem with the course per se, had it been correctly described, other than that for an ‘off road’ event it was very, very boring.
The finish line ease of medal and shirt collection was well managed by handing each finisher a ticket to redeem their entitlement. 24/30
POST RACE.
Anyone who went away from the venue hungry or thirsty only had themselves to blame the food was both good and varied.
Resting and cool-down areas were ample and there were even outside ad hock showers for those who felt the need.
Medical requirements were well met at the finishing area, I even noticed one medic giving a finisher a good stretching session.
While I remained, something over an hour after finishing, no placings were announced, and there was no posting board. I did not wait around for the prize ceremony, as I felt that I needed to stay mobile, but I do feel that after more than four hours from the start time the winners could have been presented with their prizes and allowed to go home.
AFTER EVENT
The full results were published after two days which I feel is acceptable, but, not the best.
Post event communication has been near to zero.
My overall score for this event is 79.0% the main reason for the lower than desired score was the Non-cross country course. This was a Road Race with a bit of hard-core plantation road and a smattering of track thrown in.
It is such a shame as the event was supremely well managed and the participants were really well catered for.
Overall I think that Camel Muar, the Race Director and all who have been involved can be very proud of a well-managed event but they should have advertised the event for what it was.
For my part, had it been advertised correctly, I doubt that I would have entered. But, if I had, I would be scoring this event very highly indeed.
Happy Running
When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
Photographs thanks to Moving Aperture and Run & Explore.
My personal race.
2:33:34 154th. of 681 overall, 64th. of 235 Mens Veteran 40+
My adventure was, at best, not good. I had set a target of a Sub2:20 finish and for just over twelve kilometres I was just about spot-on pace. But, a small word, but, on the first transition from tarmac to hard-core my Achilles went, again! It isn’t torn or ruptured it’s just bl00dy painful while running and sore when not. Once the pain set in I just didn’t have the heart or inclination to push it. The last twelve or so kilometres were spent walk, jogging and trotting my way home, oh yes and chuntering to myself how bad I felt, wuss!
I am pretty sure that the re-occurrence was caused by a mixture of: Running, that is racing, too soon after the first flare-up. Wearing the wrong shoes, I chose to wear my trail shoes after speaking to some crew at the event, bad choice – road shoes was the answer. Losing my footing on the loose surface of the hard-core.
So, that all said, the bad result is mainly my own fault.
N.B. Official time 2:38:08 for reference I deducted the time I stopped to ice and bandage my leg.
Congratulations to our Champions:
Mens Open Neo Bok Leng Andy, Singapore. 1:41:53
Womens Open Chelsie Tan Wei Shi, Singapore. 2:00:25
Mens Veteran…. Tan Song Hua, Malaysia. 1:42:25
Womens Veteran….Yong Lai Chee, Singapore. 2:11:58
Full results: www.racetecresults.com/Results.aspx?CId=17036&RId=59&EId=1
