Pacemakers training hard for the run
ALTHOUGH the air was crisp after a brief downpour in the afternoon, rain threatened to disrupt the routine evening workout again for the Pacemakers running group at the KLCC Park recently.
As the weather cleared, the runners who work around Kuala Lumpur’s central business district, got together after working hours for their regular training session around the 1.3km circuit.
Usually, they will go through the paces completing between eight and 13 laps at the park.
“No matter rain or shine, we will be running here on most weekdays. Our aim is to complete our workout. We will only stop when there is lightning,” said Ronnie See, the leader of group formed three years ago.
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In the pack: Pacemakers working out at the KLCC Park. |
In addition, several of them signed up early. As a testament to their eagerness, five of them have been assigned the running tags between 006 and 010 for the run.
“We are a bit kiasu (afraid of losing). That is the reason we registered early. Our running buddy (Lai Fong Sang) took the effort to submit the forms for us. I will be running with the 007 running tag. Frankly, the run is one of our favourite road races because it offers attractive finishers’ medals,” See said.
The group of 50 active members also set up the http://pm1.blogspot.com as a forum for their members to share information related to running on the Internet.
“I train with the group at KLCC occasionally. I prefer to run at the Bukit Jalil Park because of the undulating terrain. In addition, it is nearer to my home. But the website has provided an active chat-room for us to communicate with each other,” said Kevin Chow, 36.
Initially, the Subang Jaya 10km Run was scheduled for July 1, which coincides with the Ipoh Half Marathon.
“Since the run has been postponed, several of us have decided to take part in Ipoh. We are hoping that more of our members who opted to skip the Subang Jaya 10km Run to complete in the 21km distance in Ipoh will also be joining us for the annual community-based run in Subang Jaya,” See said.
Over the years, the Subang Jaya 10km Run has been the preferred race for those who want to improve on their 10km timing because of the flat route.
Tutor Saiful Azri, 25, is among those from the group aiming to reduce his time over the distance.
“This is my third time taking part in the event. I am hoping to reduce my personal best by two minutes,” said Saiful, who holds a personal best of 44 minutes in 10km.
The run has 12 categories – 10km men’s and women’s open (18 years and above), 7km men’s junior veteran (40 years to below 50 years) and men’s senior veteran (50 years and above), women’s veteran (35 years and above), boys’ and girls’ (13 years to below 18 years), men’s and women’s special (wheelchair participants only), 5km men’s and women’s special (non-wheelchair participants only) and a 3km Fun Run (adults and children).
Entry fee is RM10 for each participant (including Fun Run) while it is RM5 for school children.
It is free for participants in the men’s and women’s special category as well as children below six years for the Fun Run category.
Entry closes on Aug 13.
The forms are available at the MPSJ office in Subang Jaya and The Star in Petaling Jaya and the websites http://thestar.com.my/subangjaya/sjrun_form.pdf and http://www.mpsj.gov.my/main.php.
The event is jointly organised by The Star, MPSJ and Selangor Amateur Athletics Association (SAAA).
