Race Review Merdeka Charity Run 10k
EVENT. Merdeka Charity Run 10k. Headline Sponsors: Huntmer
Klang
31 Aug 2016 Time 06:45
Headline Event Owners:
Event Organising Company: Great Esthetics Race Director: Low Siew Gee
Timing company: No timing.
Registration company: Hooahasia
Race Review SCORE CARD
PRE RACE.
Entry and information:
Event entry was as straight forward as you would have come to expected from HooahAsia. There was sufficient event information and up-dates were constant on all aspects of the event and its sponsors.
Contact was primarily via the organisers Facebook page and for the best part questions were promptly dealt with. However, I did have one question, my perennial one regarding postal service, that went unanswered, but, that said once it was pointed out to them for a second time I received a very sincere apology from the top man, Mr Low Siew Gee. 2/3
The very reasonable entrance fee along with all the giveaways made this a good value event.
Race registration and kit collection:
No postal service being offered is my only point of contention, the ease of collection and the two day time frame at the start/finish area was fine. The actual pick up was timely and friendly. 4/5
18/20
Race site Facilities:
Space at the venue 2/2 Toilets, number and condition 4/4 Pre-race water etc. 3/3
Staffing, information 3/3
Parking: 2/3 Shuttles N/A
Care of Competitors:
Warm up 1/1 Starting time, timing and control 1/3
Emergency number and medical facilities start/finish 3/4 19/25
RACE.
Organisation:
Course management:
Traffic control, space, signage, difficulty, enjoyment factor 8/10
Marshaling quantity, quality 4/5 Feed stations number, staffing and stocking 5/5
Medical facilities on course 3/5
Finish line ease of medal/shirt collection, ease of food and water collection 4/5 24/30
POST RACE.
Choice of food and drink, presentation. 4/6
Resting areas 1/2 Medical requirements 4/5 Cool down area 1/2
Top placings announced, posting board 1/3 Prize ceremony 2/2 13/20
AFTER EVENT
Results timely, full results rather than individual, age grouped 2/3
Post event communication 2/2 4/5
It is a pleasure to be able to say that, for the very first time here in Malaysia, I ran in the Golden Age Group. Yes this tiny, low cost, charity event managed to accommodate five age groups for each gender, juniors, open, forty plus, fifty plus and sixty plus, each of which had their podium finishers and top ten placings all receiving plaques.
I have to ask if a small charity event can see that this is how it should be then why do the larger events ignore the possibility of giving us all a fair chance at the top step and the top ten, we older runners that have the desire to compete want to compete with our peers not against our children's children?
So, first off, thank you for thinking of us. And, congratulations in proving that there are good numbers of runners who will turn out in all the various categories.
Parking was largely off road, those who arrived early were able to park very close to the venue, later arrivals had a short walk. the organisers posted parking details shortly before the event’s date.
The event itself was really well run with just about everything you would expect in place. Toilets were sufficient, clean and lit, at last no need for the phone-light. Water was being given out to those who needed it and the organisers kept everyone up to speed on what was happening. The pre-race warm up was more or less a dance routine but never the less those that joined in seemed to enjoy it immensely. Warm-up runs could be safely done in the alleyways between the shop lots.
The event was largely untimed, with just the first ten in each category being hand-timed, which for this type of event is no bad thing. The money saved on hiring in a timing company meant more in the pot for the supported charities.
Pre-race bibs were marked to ensure that everyone started from the same point, I personally felt this was unnecessary, and it did lead to quite a bit of pushing and shoving at the start line with people trying to get to one of the bib-makers, there were also check points, giving out ribbons, around the course to ensure the full distance was covered.
The course was on open roads but they were generally not busy and very well policed and marshaled by a jovial brigade of volunteers. Feed stations, which to my eye, were sufficient in number and seemingly well stocked with water and isotonic drink.
Although there were no medic stations on route one of the two ambulance crews that attended the event patrolled the race route, which, I feel, was a very sound idea.
One point that could make a slight improvement; A porta-loo or two around the halfway mark could have been a relief to one or two of the runners.
The finishing area, although a little crowded, was again generally well organised, some signage would have made things a little easier. There was little choice of food, but, there was plenty of it. Fluids were provided, Milo, water and isotonic.
The presentation, by the shear fact that there were so many top ten finishers, all of whom were presented to those that stayed, was a long affair. But, there was little in the way of handing over the procedure to the dignitaries and it was great to see the cheques being handed to the various charities, thanks to the organisers, volunteers and all who supported the event RM20,000 was made available to .Kiwanis Rm13500, Klang welfare Foundation Rm3500, Kuala Lumpur Alfa Welfare Society Rm1500 and Kim Loo Ting Social Welfare Society Rm1500.
My overall score for this event is 78.0% which, in my eyes, is a very commendable score for a small charity run.
The organisers should give themselves a hearty slap on the back for a job well done.
Happy Running
When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
Would I run this event again? Most certainly. If this event can be accommodated in my schedule and training plan for 2017 I will be back to support them, after all they one of the very, very few that support us older runners.
My personal race:
0:50:17 3rd. Golden Age [60+] 23rd. overall.
Another podium finish, a third place behind two very spritely sexagenarians. Hats off to both of them, especially our champion, who would have finished in the top ten of all five of the age group categories with his super run.
As I had just completed my first duathlon event three days earlier and had my first Ultra just days ahead my intention was to run a solid race rather than a full-on PB attempt, mission achieved, although the steady inclines of the last couple of kilometres did let me know I was putting in some fairly serious effort.
The route was, especially for a city run, interesting. Twisting and turning through flat, quiet streets for the best part then into the green centre of Klang for the considerable undulations towards the finish.
As is customary, for me, my finish, although only slightly increased in pace, was strong and saw me passing very many more runners than the two guys that passed me. However, there was no catching the two sixty plus year old hares that were out in front of me.
A good morning out, in good company with friends old and new.
