Seremban Half Marathon: More scenic route for run

THE Seremban Half Marathon (SHM), which will be held for the 21st consecutive year tomorrow, will take runners through a more scenic route, said the run’s organising committee secretary, Loh Kim Heong.
He said the annual event — one of the biggest sporting events in the state — was held in conjunction with the birthday celebration of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Ja’afar and would have about 8,000 participants.
“This year’s edition is sure to be exciting, with the addition of the new route. This new route, through Forest Heights with its beautiful surroundings, will be refreshing for regular participants,” he said, adding that the event would begin at the MPS Hall in Seremban.
As in previous years, students will make up the bulk of participants in the 10km run.
“To encourage more students to take part in healthy activities like this, we are giving cash incentives to the school with the largest number of participants,” he said.
The run also has its fair share of foreign participants and this year, runners from Germany, Japan, India, Thailand and Singapore have already signed up.
Loh said most of the foreign participants, especially those employed in local companies, made it a point to sign up every year.
“We have many regulars this year — four from the Sunita Godara Fitness Trust in New Delhi.
“Sunita herself was the SHM women’s champion for three consecutive years from 1998,” he said.
The 21km run has three categories – (A) women’s open (19 years and above), (B) men’s senior (19 to below 40 years) and (C) men’s veteran (above 40 years).
The 11km run has eight categories – (D) women’s senior (19 to below 35 years), (E) women’s veteran (35 to below 45 years), (F) women’s senior veteran (45 years and above), (G) men’s senior (19 to below 40 years), (H) men’s veteran (40 to below 50 years) and (J) men’s senior veteran (50 years and above), (K) women’s junior (13 to under 19 years) and (L) men’s junior (13 to under 19 years).
The SHM also features special categories for the disabled, wheelchair-bound and a corporate fun run.
The run has a number of corporate sponsors, the latest being Carlsberg Marketing Sdn Bhd which recently contributed RM5,000 and 100 cartons of Nutri Malt for the runners.
Loh said surplus funds raised from the SHM would be channelled to various state sporting bodies to develop new talent in athletics.
“This is our way of giving back to the local community and it has been our tradition for some years now,” he said.
The run is organised by the Antah Group, the Seremban Municipal Council, Seremban Hash House Harriers and Negri Sembilan Amateur Athletic Association.
The Star is the official press sponsor for the event.
For more details and route map, visit www.serembanhalfmarathon.com or call Santha Chitty (03-2094 5099 ), Koong Lin Ngen (019-661 2605 ), or Loh Kim Heong (013-353 0322 ).

Outdoor Adverture Race 2009

Running Tips

1.Posture
Perfect your posture and you will run smoother, faster and with less fatigue. Here’s what endurance coach and two-time Badwater champ Lisa Smith-Batchen recommends: Keep your pelvis forward, your shoulders squared over your belly button, your breathing regular and puff from your belly, and your thumb pistoning straight back and forth to your hips.

2.Incline-pushup salute
According to Smith-Batchen, the incline-pushup salute is one of the best static exercises to prepare for a run. Push up against a bench with two arms, then twist at the hip and raise one arm until it’s pointing at the sky. “The triceps which you build from this will power your arms and the strengthened pecs will be strong to prevent your chest from caving in when you’re tired,” she says.

3.Train as a runner
To train as a runner, your body needs to learn to have quick hands and feet, says Smith-Batchen. The best training for that is jumping rope. Keep at it until you can reel off 100 reps without tripping on the jump rope.

4.Run smart
Ray Zahab, an ultra-runner who has won an individual title in the Artic Yukon Ultra says that to run smart, you should imagine pedaling a unicycle: keep your shoulders plumb-lined over your hips and kick back with your feet instead of reaching out. “To speed up, lean forwards from the ankles instead of bending forward from the waist; you’ll create a light controlled fall instead of a muscle-intensive series of pushoffs.”

5.To go faster
“By pushing from the ankles, you will go faster with less effort and you’ll preserve your legs by stacking your weight over your strong, protectively arched midfeet, instead of crashing down on the sensitive nerves in your heels or the fragile tendons in your toes,” says Zahab.

6.Build strength
Men's Health columnist and ultra man Dean Karnazes says distance running can be prepped by running stairs to build strength. “It will build strength in your legs and lungs. Find a staircase or stadium, ideally with more than 100 steps for a weekly workout. Start by running to the top a single step at a time and walking back down. Work your way up to 10 sets. Next phase: two steps at a time, walking down, five sets. Final phase: two steps up, single steps down, running both ways, working up from five to 10 sets. Keep at it till you can repeat this routine 3 or 4 days a week.”

7.Running quicker, not harder
You can prevent fatigue by running quicker, not harder. Karnazes says a higher turnover rate (how quickly you put one foot in front of the other), can make you faster with less effort. Elite distance runners stay in the range of 185 to 200 steps per minute. Varying your cadence/turnover can conserve energy and shift the load among different muscles. As you tire and slow down, focus on cadence, not speed. This might mean taking shorter, quicker steps. A rule of thumb: If your stride rate falls below 150 to 160 steps per minute, you’ll want to shorten your stride and increase turnover.

8.Train for recovery
Train for recovery. “Big distance can mean big hurt,” says Karnazes. “The day after you train for a long run, you must force yourself to exercise.” Try a bike ride, a swim, or just a nice walk. “The movement increases bloodflow, clearing the by-products of intense exercise from your muscles and helping restore flexibility.”

9.Always have your hydrations ready
“Carry bottled water and drink all day,” says Karnazes. “Your hydrated cells will thank you.”

10.Focus on running the mile
Record holder of the half marathon Ryan Hall says you should always focus on running the mile you’re in. “Don’t try to think about how far you have to go in the beginning because it can be overwhelming or how far you’ve run near the end because that will give you an excuse to fatigue.”

Ipoh International Half

Men - 21KM

1) Lorenz Reber - 1:55 (115th)
2) Kp Tan - 1:59:18 (123th)
3) TH Lee - 2:09:56 (146th)

A FATHER'S LOVE for his son...........

One day, a son asks his dad "Daddy, would you like to run a marathon with me?". The father says "yes". And they run their first marathon together.
Another time, the son asks his dad again "Daddy, would you like to run a marathon with me?". The father says "yes son".
One day, the son asks his father " Daddy, would you run the Ironman with me?" The Ironman is the most difficult triathlon ever (4 kms swimming, 180 kms bikin, 42 km running?)
And the dad says "yes". The story looks simple until you watch the following clip. Just amazing, how much can love be.... ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJMbk9dtpdY

Such is the love a father gives to his son - what then should sons do for their fathers?

Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009

Octagon as the event organizer of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009 acknowledges that there were technical and logistical issues that affected a number of runners.
As the Race Director, I would like to apologise to runners who had a bad experience connected to the marathon. It was never our intention to cause any distress. We have always aimed to provide a positive and memorable experience for runners in Malaysia. We have taken all your feedback and this will go towards improving the standard and experience for all runners next year. Once again, my sincerest apologies.
As an update, the complete database of results and timings are now available. You may search for your individual results here.
Should you have further questions, you may contact us at 03 7843 3180 or via email at inquiries@kl-marathon.com

Hemant Dua (Race Director)

SCKLM Photos

Help for the disabled through run - Siemens Run

FROM behind, baby Sri looks like any other healthy eight-month-old. However, when this curly haired bundle of joy turns around, people are usually shocked or even sad to see Sri as she suffers from a chronic cleft palate, lip and nose dysmorphism.

The disability does not only leave her with a disfigured face but also deprives her of the simple act of sucking milk using a feeding bottle.

To make matters worse, she hardly has any vision as she has no left eye and her right cornea is blocked. She can only hear with her right ear as there is no eardrum in her left side.

Sri is one of the many disabled children at the Taman Megah Home for Handicapped and Disabled Children who need the attention and help of Malaysians to get through each day.

Bearing this in mind, Siemens Malaysia Sdn Bhd has selected the home as one of the three beneficiaries of the Siemens Run 2009, to be flagged off at Dataran Merdeka on July 19.

“Sri has a problem crawling, turning and sitting due to the growing size of her head. She can only feed through a feeding tube, which needs to be changed fortnightly. On the doctor’s advice, her parents decided to send Sri to our home to be taken care of as they do not have the means. She has been with us since she was one month old.

Sri’s parents do visit her but there are many children with us whose parents have abandoned them here. We take care of these children too,” said the administration manager of the home.

Sri’s cleft palate, lips and nose is operable but the condition of her head has to improve before any operation is done.

Currently, the home has 128 multiracial residents ranging from babies to adults.

They suffer from disabilities such as Down Syndrome, Dwarfism syndrome, Apeth syndrome and autistic cerebral palsy.

This year, Siemens has screened and identified three charitable beneficiaries.

The other beneficiaries are the SM Pendidikan Khas Cacat Penglihatan in Setapak and the National Autistic Society of Malaysia in Sentul.

Apart from targeting to cross the 4,000 mark again this year in terms of participation, the Siemens Run 2009 will channel 100% of the proceeds collected towards these charities.

“We need to continue helping the underprivileged as they too need Malaysians and corporate companies to help them to survive.

“The Siemens Run is open to all individuals and corporate companies who would like to share our dream of helping unfortunate children like Sri and many many more,” president and CEO of Siemens Malaysia Tan Sri Rainer Althoff said.

The main categories include the 10km Men and Women Open (18 years & above), Men Junior Veteran (40-49 years), Men Senior Veteran (50 years & above); 7.5km Women Veteran (35 years & above), boys and girls (13 to under 18) and the 3.5km Dream Run (open category).

For entry forms or for further details visit www.siemens.com.my/siemensrun2009. Forms and fees should be submitted to the FTAAA office at Tingkat 2, Wisma OCM, Jalan Hang Jebat, 50150 Kuala Lumpur (03-7874 8488). For online registration, please visit www.hooha.asia.

SCKLM Results Out

Top finisher results are now available on the results page. Complete database of results and timings has been updated. You may search for your bib number here.
Click Here

SCKLM Top Finishes Results

Top finishes results, click here
http://www.kl-marathon.com/results/

SCKLM Photos

KP's & Gang

Fun first..pain count later

We conquered it

Friend's, salute to uncle

See u next year

M+W Zander representative's

Standard Chartered KL Marathon: Runners left thirsty and frustrated

CHAOS reigned at the Standard Chartered KL Marathon yesterday when the wrong runner was declared the winner while water stations ran dry leaving runners desperate to quench their thirst.
Several runners who signed up for the 5km race expressed their frustration at running a shortened route while the lack of signages along the full marathon route caused others to veer off course.But R. Muniandy, who crossed the marathon finish line at Dataran Merdeka as the best placed Malaysian in a personal best of 2:35:52s, was justified in feeling aggrieved the most when the first prize in the local category was given to second placed finisher Shaharuddin Hashim, who came in eight minutes later."I really don't know what is going on. I know I finished first among the locals but my name is not registering on their (computer) screens," said Muniandy, 31.His New Balance team manager M. Thanasekaran said he had never seen a race so badly organised before.
"First, they gave him the wrong bib number. Then the water bottles went missing from the drinks stations. They have really mismanaged this race," he said.Adding to the confusion was the organisers' failure to furnish details of the podium placings for each event until eight hours later.Muniandy, however, was belatedly installed as the local winner after the error was rectified, said race director Hemant Dua in a statement.The KL Marathon, part of the global Standard Chartered Marathon series, replaced the Kuala Lumpur International Marathon which had been organised since 1984 until last year by the Federal Territory Amateur Athletic Association.But race organiser Octagon Asia agreed to pay the Malaysian Amateur Athletic Union RM5 million over 10 years in return for the right to organise an international marathon in Kuala Lumpur.Octagon came in for some harsh criticism from runners after drinks ran out at the water stations along the route."There was no water left for the last 10 kilometres where the risk of dehydration is greatest. I have run at the Standard Chartered event in Singapore three times and this event is by far the worst in comparison," said retiree Tan Guan Chye, 57.The organisers were not spared on social networking site Facebook either, where those running the 5km vented their anger at being shortchanged with many saying they may not return next year.The men's marathon was won by Kenyan Julius Kilimo Kipkorir, who clocked 2:17:02 to win in his first attempt at running the marathon, while Frieda Jepkite Lodepa won the women's race in 2:40:13.Multiple Sea Games gold medallist Yuan Yufang finished as the best Malaysian among the women in 3:16:36 while national triathlete Kimbeley Yap was second to Georgina Beech in the women's 10km event.
RESULTS --
Men's marathon: 1 Julius Ndiritu Karinga (Ken) 2:17:02s, 2 Nelson Kirwa Rotich (Ken) 2:18:24, 3 Armon Kipchirchir Kemei (Ken) 2:18:56.
Local: 1 R. Muniandy 2:31:52s, 2 Shaharudin Hashim 2:39:52; 3 R. Jayakumar 2:46:19.

Women's marathon: 1 Frieda Jepkite Lodepa (Ken) 2:40:13s, 2 Doreen Kitaka (Jpn) 2:45:51.
Local: 1 Yuan Yu Fang 3:16:36s, 2 Tan Lee Chin 3:39:37, 3 Lim Miow Chin 3:41:18.
addthis_pub = 'nstonline';

SCKLM Results

Date : 28 June 2009
Distance : 21km, 10km
Venue : Dataran Merdeka

21.1KM - Men

1) Chua Sang Cheng - 1:58:48 (211)
2) KP Tan - 2:05:28 (326)
3) Reber Lorenz - 2:06:50 (327)
4) CW Ng - 2:09:31 (421)
5) TH Lee - 2:19:20 (663)
6) EC Ong - 2:36:40 (1074)
7) CY Chua - 2:59:40 (1564)
8) PL Phuah - 3:01:24 (1590)

10KM - Men

1) HS Yow - 1:26:35 (1667)
2) KM Thium - 1:31:56 (1943)
3) AK Goh - 1:34:40 (2034)
4) EG Sim - 1:35:00 (2064)
5) Jason Tay - 1:51:29 (2335)

10Km - Women

1) KY Chai - 1:51:30 (1439)

SCKLM - Important Notice - Bring Along Numbered baggage Tag

To SCKLM - Finisher's medal - the race facts stated that " to claim your medal, you will have to submit your baggage tag to the organisers". Please clarify whether it is "Numbered Runner's Bibs" require to submit or "Numbered baggage tag"?

Replied from SCKLM : "Standard Chartered Kl Marathon at 12:07pm June 27
Hi KP, you need to submit your "Numbered Baggage Tag" to the organisers to claim your medal."

Blind marathon man with a vision and mission

IMAGINE waking up one morning and finding that you are unable to see anything.
That was what happened to Kenyan Henry Wanyoike in 1995. Anyone else might have gone into depression, but not Wanyoike.
Instead of brooding over his fate, Wanyoike was determined to make his life a meaningful one. And, today, he is the Goodwill Ambassador for the Standard Chartered Bank’s Seeing is Believing programme, which aims to raise funds for one million sight restorations.
“I may have lost my sight but I’ve not lost my vision. Just like many other Kenyans, I wanted to be a champion. Determination, dedication, discipline, sacrifice, commitment and team work have made me a champion today.
“I have completed 18 marathons, and not only have I taken part in the Paralympics in Sydney (2000) and Athens (2004) but won gold medals in the 5,000m. I could not have achieved these results if I had not accepted the challenge when I lost my sight in 1995,” Wanyoike said

Wanyoike is in Malaysia for the Standard Chartered KL Marathon which will be held at the Dataran Merdeka tomorrow.
The ever-smiling Wanyoike will be taking part in the half marathon.
During his stay in Malaysia, Wanyoike and his guide Joseph Kibunja spent about two hours at SM Pendidikan Khas Cacat Penglihatan in Setapak.
Wanyoike shared his experience with the students while Kibunja highlighted his partnership with the runner.
Kibunja said he had been Wanyokie’s guide since 2000.
“Together we have taken part in many events. It is not something easy but we have managed to overcome the odds due to our understanding and communication. I am happy to be with him,” Kibunja said.
Over the last five years, Wanyoike has won medals in the marathon, half marathon and 10km runs. He is also an accomplished track athlete, winning honours in the 10,000m, 5,000m and 1,500m.
In the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) world championships in Lille, France, Wanyokie won the 10,000m and 5,000m, setting new world records in the process.
He also holds the marathon world record (2’31:31) for the blind, a feat he achieved in Hamburg, Germany, in 2005.
SM Pendidikan Khas Cacat principal Che Fatimah Che Abdullah said they were grateful to Standard Chartered for initiating the programme.
“We will have about 30 students taking part in the KL marathon. Out students will certainly be inspired after listening to Wanyoike and Kibunja,” she said.

KLIM Running Route

Walking with a handicapp

THE Region 1 Lions Clubs and Leo Clubs together with St Nicholas Home Penang will hold a Walk for Sight Charity Walk 2009 at Padang Polo, Jalan Sepoy Lines at 8am on June 28.
The event, divided into two categories — junior (aged seven to 12 years) and adults (13 years and above) — would see participants walking blindfolded for 2.3km.
The walk is aimed at raising funds to buy new equipment for the home and for its Penang Low Vision Eye Clinic as well as to conduct cataract operations organised by the Lions Club.
For details, call 04-2290800, 019-4487738 or 012-4889289 or email: WalkForSight2009@snh.org.my

Chicken Run for diabetes

THE race is on. The Kenny Rogers Roasters (KRR) Chicken mascot together with Malaysian national track and field athlete Roslinda Samsu and the KKR team headed towards the finishing line each with an egg on a cone. The unique mini-race was demonstration of the Roasters Chicken Run to the held soon.
Into its fifth consecutive year, the run aims to raise funds for Tabung Kebajikan Pesakit PPUKM – Young Diabetic Patients, a special beneficiary providing care for children with diabetes.
This year, the charity run will be held on the grounds of Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur.
“I am truly honoured to be a part of this cause and support the run and PPUKM–Young Diabetic Patients. These children need our help and support. I wish to encourage more people to take part in healthy activities for a healthier lifestyle,” said Roslinda.
Berjaya Roasters (M) Sdn Bhd, executive director Datuk Francis Lee said this year’s charity run would be even bigger and better.
“From the previous runs, we have collected more than RM100,000 for the Tabung Kebajikan Pesakit HUKM, Pediatric Unit HUKM (Oncology), Unit TUTUR–Aural Rehabilitation Centre For Hearing Impaired Children together with Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia and also various charity homes such as House of Joy and Faith, Yayasan Sunbeams Home, Rumah Juara, Rumah Kanak-kanak Tengku Budriah, Rumah Sayangan, Rumah Hope, Rumah Kebajikan Anbu Illam, Rumah Charis and Ti-Ratana Welfare Society.”
Forms are now available at any of the Kenny Rogers Roasters Restaurants in the Klang Valley or can be downloaded from www.krr.com.my.
For more information, contact 03–2119 9888 or visit www.krr.com.my.

Parking on Race Day

From Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009

We recommend that your park your cars at the designated eight RapidKL shuttle pick-up points and take the buses from there.However, if you really must drive, you can park at parking bays in the Dataran Merdeka underground parking, Daya Bumi, and Padang Merbuk.

Please note however that if you're planning to park in the Dataran Merdeka underground you can only park before 4.30am and leave after 11.30am.

For Daya Bumi, you must park before 6.00am and can only leave after 11.00am.

For Padang Merbuk, you can park and leave anytime.You can also park at other venues, ex. Lake Gardens, but they are further away than the three cited above.

We will provide updates on road closures as soon as we can, but for now, we can tell you that the marathon route itself will be closed to traffic between 5.00am and 11.00am on 28 June 2009.

9th Sutera Harbour 7k Sunset Charity Run 2009

“GET HEALTHY HELPING OTHER”

“Fun Runs” are a wonderful way to raise funds and awareness among non-conventional donors. We’ve all heard of the old adage “Those who help others help themselves.” Running for a charity gives you an enormous sense of satisfaction from the knowledge that you are helping others and gives you a great fitness goal.

Runners also play a key role in raising awareness of the charity through the publicity they generate and will also enjoy all the fun of being part of a team! To participate, runners contribute a registration fee or collect pledges. In return, you enjoy an organised run and get drinks as well as a t-shirt.

Sabah’s biggest charity run, the 9th Sutera Harbour 7K Sunset Charity Run 2009 is happening on Saturday, 18th July 2009 at the Sutera Harbour Marina & Country Club. Registration fees are RM25.00 per adult and RM15.00 per child/students, inclusive of a fun event T-shirt. Registrated participants will run a 7km route beginning and ending at Sutera Harbour Resort.

The fun run offers no prizes to the winners but runners who complete the 7km route within 77 minutes are eligible to win lucky draw prizes drawn at the post-Run concert. A colourful carnival is the finale for the Run and promises to be livelier and more colourful than ever this year with a host of local artistes taking centre stage. There’s something for everyone at this year’s Carnival.

The renowned Charity Run is a fun run to raise funds for the Special Olympics Sabah and the Sabah Thallasseamia Society. Special Olympics is an international program of year-round sports training and competition for more than two million children and adults with intellectual disabilities around the world. To provide benefit and service to Thalasseamia patients in Sabah and to those having interest in Thalasseamia and strive for Thalasseamia patients to get the best and most satisfactory treatment.

To help to reduce the incidence of Thalasseamie patients in Sabah. To foster good will and closer relationship between families of Thalassaemias and vice versa, treatment centres and the public and so on.

Entry forms are available at the Member Relations Counter at Sutera Harbour Marina, Golf & Country Club. For registration and more information, please contact the 7K Hotline at (088) 308 121