Star Metro...

They ran despite the rain
By NG WEI LOON, Photos by ABDUL RAHMAN SENIN, weiloon@thestar.com.my

THE drizzle that began in the wee hours of the morning did not stop about 100 runners from showing up for the 2006 Ambank Kuala Lumpur International Marathon (KLIM) second running circuit at the Lake Gardens in Kuala Lumpur last Saturday.

Initially, the organisers had feared that circuit could become a washout.

AmBank Group public affairs director Syed Anuar Syed Ali said: "Initially, we thought it was going to be a washout today. It was nice to see runners showing up despite the drizzle."

In the first circuit held last month, only 30 runners took part in the one-hour run. The drizzle did not prevent runners, officials and supporters from turning up for the KLIM second running circuit at Lake Gardens. "The turnout for the second circuit was a vast improvement compared to the response that we received for the first circuit," said FTAAA secretary S. Vegiyathuman.

"We are delighted that runners are getting serious about taking part in the race (KLIM). They are getting the idea that they have to prepare for it. The circuits will help them to gauge their progress before they decide on the distances to tackle that suit their endurance levels."

Those aiming to complete the full marathon in the KLIM were required to run for two hours around the 2.3km lake trail, while those planning to sign up for the half marathon had to run for 90 minutes.

Ambank has been organising the circuits since it took up the role as KLIM presenter sponsor last year. The organisers revealed that runners had started to register for the KLIM well ahead of the run scheduled for March 5 at Dataran Merdeka.

Former national junior 10km walk champion G. Suresh Kumar signed up for the KLIM after the trial run. Suresh, 33, from Selayang, completed eight laps of the course. "This is my first long run for the year. I took up long distance running to keep myself in shape. There are not many walking events in the country," said Suresh, who finished third in the 2005 Starwalk in Penang last month and will be competing in the half marathon in the KLIM. "I am worried that I have to skip training when I go away for a fortnight to serve as a volunteer at the Le Tour de Langkawi in February. "I hope that I will still be in good condition to prepare for the KLIM after the two-week layoff."

Shahruddin Hashim and Emilia Jamil from Police, who are training under former national marathon ace P. Sidamparam, also took part in the circuit. "I felt a bit heavy today," said Shahruddin, who won the men's open marathon 32.2km category in 1'59:05.

The winners of the second running circuit posing with Syed Annuar (centre in red cap). The women's open marathon 23km category was won by Emilia in 1'51:5. The top three winners of each category each received a T-shirt and medal. All participants were given a KLIM pin.

The third and final running circuit will be hosted on Feb 11. The duration for those wanting to tackle the full marathon and half marathon distances will be increased to three hours and two hours, respectively.

At last year's KLIM, Shahruddin and Emilia achieved their personal best in the marathon. Shahruddin and Emilia clocked 2'34:11 and 3'23:09, respectively. Prior to the KLIM, the duo will be competing in the Hong Kong Inter-national Marathon on Feb 12. Sidamparam hopes Shahruddin will clock below 2'32, while Emilia will achieve a 3'15 target. "We have completed our endurance training. Now, we are working on speed to improve our timing," said Shahruddin, who had won the KLIM national men's open marathon category for the past two years.

KLIM is jointly organised by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the Federal Territory Amateur Athletic Association (FTAAA). The event has five marathon categories – men's open (above 18 years), men's junior veteran (40-49 years), men's senior veteran (above 50 years), women's open (above 18 years) and women's veteran (above 35 years). The categories for the half marathon comprise the men's open (above 16 years), women's open (above 16 years), men's veteran (above 40 years) and women's veteran (above 40 years). Social runners can take part in the men's and women's 7km fun run.

This year, Ambank has contributed RM400,000 towards the organisation of the KLIM. "We want to play a role in positioning Malaysia as a sports tourism destination by sponsoring an established international marathon. "We want to encourage Malaysians to lead a healthy lifestyle by taking part in a fun-filled family orientated event. Besides that, we hope to develop local runners in long distance running," added Syed Anuar. KLIM offers RM300,000 in prize money. The winner of the men's open marathon category, who can finish the race in 2'20, stands to win RM38,000. The winner will only collect RM25,000 if he fails to cross the finish line in the time set. The women's open marathon champion will pocket RM25,000 for finishing the race within 2'25. If she completes the race beyond the time, she will receive RM15,000.

Those interested in taking part in the KLIM can visit www.klmarathon.gov.my or call 03-2715 2843 (FTAAA office). Entries close on Feb 25.

RESULTS

MARATHON

Men's Open (above 18 years):
1. Shahruddin Hashim 1'59:05 (32.2km),
2. Richard Habeoya 1'53:20 (27.6km),
3. Romzi Yunos 1'58:26 (27.6km)

Men's Junior Veteran (40-49 years):
1. Tamil Selvam 2'00 (27.6km),
2. P. Kumaresan 1'54:6 (23km),
3. Malek Reduan Abd Aziz 1'59:3 (23km)

Men's Senior Veteran (above 50 years):
1. Mohammad Omar 1'59:41 (27.6km),
2. Mohd Radzi Dahalan 1'50:31 (23km),
3. Tee Teck Bee 1'53.6 (23km)

Women's Open (above 18 years):
1. Emilia Jamil 1'51:5 (23km),
2. Eng Seok Jiun 1'50:1 (20.7km),
3. Anis Sabhi 1'56:1 (20.7km)

Women's Veteran (35-39 years):
1. Poh Sew Peng 1'59:3 (23km),
2. Eng Seok Ling 1'49:2 (20.7km),
3. Lilian Wong Tan Li 1'50.2 (18.4km)

HALF MARATHON

Men's (above 16 years):
1. S. Saravanan 1'22:37 (23km),
2. Mohd Azarizal Aziz 1'23:00 (23km),
3. Muhammad Farid Md Som 1'27:05 (23km)

Women's (above 16 years):
1. Norlida Ismail 1'30:24 (18.4km),
2. A. Amutha 1'30.25 (18.4km),
3. Lee Yee Hua 1'30:25 (13.8km)

Men's Veteran (above 40 years):
1. Vincent Wong 1'23:43 (18.4km),
2. Keshab Kumar 1'27:41 (16.1km),
3. Chan Chee Kwong 1'28:23 (16.1km)

Women's Veteran (above 35 years):
1. Lim Lee Ping 1'19:10 (13.8km),
2. Low Peng Keat 1'20:14 (13.8km),
3. Goh Hiong Ee 1'20:14 (13.8km)

***** Hehehehehehehe... I was there!!!! :)