Activity 20/2010 - Oct 24 - Kebun Bunga Charity Run 2010

This is the 2nd year that this charity run was held in aid of Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital "Needy Cancer Patients Funds" & Pure Lotus Hospice Compassion. The event was initiated by Adun of Kebun Bunga, YB Jason Ong, organised by Persatuan Kebajikan Masyarakat Muafakat Pulau Pinang with the technical assistance of PAAA and sponsored by many organisations.

The run was flagged off at 7:30am at the Youth Park towards the direction of the Botanic Gardens where runners rounded the lower loop and headed straight till J. Utama/J.Macalister junction, turned right along J. Brooke to Jesselton Height and finished at the Youth Park padang for a distance of 6.56km.

More than 30 of our group registered and apart from this charity run event we had our regular Sunday LSD which we placed more priority in view of the upcoming PBIM in 4 weeks' time. As such we started our scheduled 14km or 21km LSD at 5:30am so that we could continued with the charity run at 7:30am later after all this was not a competitive run.

Interesting to see all our runners were sweating before the flag-off and most of us were treating this as a fun run or a 'cooling-down' run. However the climax of the morning came after the run near the stage where we had an exceptionally big food party. It was a grand potluck with lots and lots of delicious food, among them pizza, coffee cakes and barley soup from Mei Ling, Dom fried rice from Cupido Kelvin, giant-paos from Nanny Cheng, tomatoes from James and many more. Many thanks to all of you including those if I had missed.

Many nice photos were taken and we thank all the photographers for their kind effort.
Thank you all the participants for the enjoyable Sunday morning
Thanks to the organisers and PAAA officials.

Click here for a photo album courtesy of Mei Ling
Click here for a photo album courtesy of Eric Lim

2011 Marathon Calender of some of the world's popular events

2011
Wk.
01 - 02 Jan - Xiamen International Marathon http (2:08:07 - 2011) (20k)
03 - 16 Jan - Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, India (2:09:54 - 2011)
03 - 21 Jan - Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon http (2:04:53 - 2008) (14k)
04 - 23 Jan - Khon Kaen Int. Marathon,Thailand http (2:16:44 - 2011)

08 - 20 Feb - Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon http (2:14:57 - 09)
09 - 27 Feb - Tokyo Marathon http (2:07:23 - 2008) (32k)

10 - 06 Mar - Lake Biwa Marathon, Japan http (2:06:13 - 2011)
12 - 20 Mar - Seoul International Marathon http (2:06:49 - 2010)
12 - 20 Mar - Rome Marathon http (2:07:17 - 2009)
12 - 20 Mar - LA Marathon http (2:06:35 - 2011)
13 - 27 Mar - Zheng-Kai International Marathon, China http (2:13:20 -2007)

15 - 10 Apr - Daegu International Marathon, S. Korea (2:08:08 - 2011)
15 - 10 Apr - 35th Marathon de Paris http (2:05:47 - 2009) (40k)
15 - 10 Apr - ABN AMRO Marathon Rotterdam http (2:04:27 - 2009) (22k)
16 - 16 Apr - The Energizer Night Race 2011 - http
16 - 17 Apr - 2011 Virgin London Marathon http (2:04:40 - 2011) (35k)
16 - 17 Apr - Madrid Marathon - http (2:10:58 - 2011)
16 - 17 April - Vienna City Marathon - http (2:07:38 - 2008)
16 - 18 Apr - Boston Marathon http (2:03:02 - 2011) (27k)
17 - 30 Apr - Dalian International Marathon, China (2:13:23 - 2010)

18 - 01 May - Borneo Int. Marathon, K.Kinabalu. http (2:25:00 - 2008)
18 - 01 May - Great Wall of China Marathon, Beijing, China http
19 - 08 May - Prague Marathon, Czech Rep. http (2:05:39 - 2010) (7.5k)
18 - 08 May - METRO Group Marathon Dusseldorf, Germany http (2:08:32)
21 - 21 May - Great Wall Marathon, Tianjin, China -- http
21 - 22 May - Hamburg Marathon, Germany -- http
22 - 28 May - adidas Sundown Marathon, Singapore http
22 - 29 May - Hatyai Marathon 2011 (42km, 13km) http

24 - 12 Jun -- Laguna Phuket Int. Marathon http
26 - 26 Jun -- SCKLM http http (2:16:42 - 2010)

27 - 03 July - Gold Coast Airport Marathon, Australia http (2:10:01 - 2011)
31 - 31 July - San Francisco Marathon http (2:23:38 - 2010)
29 - 17 July - Pattaya Marathon, Thailand (2:21:06 - 2011)
31 - 31 July - Phuket Health International Marathon

32 - 07 Aug - Hatyai Nature Run 2011 http
35 - 28 Aug - Thai Health Songkhla International Marathon http

36 - 04 Sept - IAAF World Championship, Daegu, S. Korea
39 - 25 Sept - 38th BMW Berlin-Marathon http (new name) (2:03:59 WR) (40k)

41 - 09 Oct - Bank of Melbourne Marathon http (2:11:04 - 2010)
41 - 09 Oct - BOA Chicago Marathon http (2:05:41 - 2009) (45k)
42 - 16 Oct - 36th Amsterdam Marathon http (2:05:44 -2010) (26k)
44 - 30 Oct - BMW Frankfurt Marathon 2011 http (new name) (2:04:57 - 10)
42 - 16 Oct - Beijing International Marathon http (2:06:55 - 2005) (30k)

44 - 05 Nov -Taroko Gorge Marathon, Taiwan
45 - 06 Nov - ING New York City Marathon http (2:07:43 - 2001) (44k)
47 - 20 Nov - Penang Bridge Int. Marathon - http (2:23:55 - 2009) (23k)
47 - 20 Nov - Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon http (2:16:10 - 2010)
45 - 06 Nov - Hangzhou International Marathon, China

49 - 04 Dec - Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore http (2:11:24 - 2009)
49 - 04 Dec - Fukuoka International Marathon, Japan http (2:05:18 - 2009)
51 - 18 Dec - Fubon Taipei International Marathon, Taiwan
52 - 25 Dec - Chiang Mai Marathon 2011 http
49 - 04 Dec - Toray Shanghai International Marathon (2:09:28 - 2008)
49 - 04 Dec - Macau Galaxy Entertainment Int Marathon .(2:15:06 - 2008)

2012
12 August - 2012 London Olympics

component of World Marathon Majors (WMM)
(Course Record - Year)
Number of registered participants of previous race

Activity 19/2010 - October 17 - City Run

Distance : 8.08km
Route: Prangin Mall/Komtar -> J.Dr Lim Chwee Leong -> L. Carnarvon -> L. Acheh -> L.Armenian -> L. Canon -> L. Pantai -> L. Light -> L. Farquhar -> J Sultan Ahmad Shah -> J. Larut -> J. Burma -> J Pangkor -> J. Macallister -> J. Penang -> J. Dr Lim Chwee Leong > Komtar

This is an annual event organised by Kwong Wah Yit Poh daily, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The distance of this event had been increased slightly as from last year by including certain roads covering certain heritage sites in the city. Nevertheless ambiguity remains as to the official distance of 10km published by the organsers all these years. After the addition of the new route in these heritage sites last year, the actual distance was increased from about 7 km to about 8.5km. Yesterday's route was only 8.08km according to my GPS watch even with the omission of about 0.5km to the Esplanade.

It is misleading when one looks at the winners' time of 30"s for a distance of 10km. Wonder how long are the organisers going to hang on to this obvious shortfall error of about 20% in distance. Heard the distance of this event of more than 10 years ago was actually longer which included part of Weld Quay.

The race started well with the flag-off by our Chief Minister at 7:15am. Weather conditions were favourable especially after a rain on the previous night like what happened a fortnight ago during the Tanjong 10km Run. Rain seems to a worrying factor for the exceptional many event organisers and participants these days.

There were more than a thousand participants at the start and what surprised me was that merely after 750 meters after the start suddenly I saw the 1st 'wrist band collecting point which is right at the tight corner of a narrow U-turn of Carnarvon St. causing a massive congestion for runners rushing for the bands. Understand it does not serve the purpose to give wrist bands before the Start to the not quarantined runners but to do after a short distance when the runners are still massive is not the alternative.

Anyway the event, with the technical assistance from the PAAA was well organised.

Below are the results of our top trophy winners:
Women Junior:
1st - Chen Ee Ven --- 41:06
Women Senior:
5th - Gan Hoay Jen - 44:31
7th - Lee Heng Kiat - 44:55
Men Junior
5th - Liew Chien Sioen - 33:40
6th - Tan Ah Ching (Ah Soon) - 33:51
7th - Tan Cheng Jin ---- 33:57
(these results were taken from the print-out after the race at the Finish from the organisers but there is a slight variation in the results published in today's KWYP)

Congratulations the the winners and thank you to all the runners who participated in this race.
Thank you all the helpers who went up to Gelugor to collect the bibs.
Thank you again MLing and thank you Ah Soon for the delicious food you prepared and brought along. Thank you MLing and SK for the photographs.

Click here for a photo album courtesy of Mei Ling

Classic Finish Of Chicago Marathon 101010

Click here for a video

Activity 18/2010 - October 3 - Tanjung 10km 2010

This is one of Penang's popular medium range annual road races which was inaugurated more than 20 years ago held in conjunction with the birthday of TYT Yang Di Pertiua Negeri Pulau Pinang and this year it is no exception.
The route of this event consists of the starting point at Jalan Sepoy Lines which runs along Polo Ground, Jalan Residency, Jalan Macalister, Jalan Anson, Jalan Pangkor, Jalan Kelawei, Jalan Bagan Jermal, Jalan Gottieb, Jalan Utama, Jalan Macalister, Jalan Residency and back to Jalan Sepoy Lines covering a distance of 10.2km.

This morning I woke up before 6 beating my alarm clock and rather uneasy but not surprised to note that it was drizzling when we were hoping the rain last night would not repeat this morning. Nevertheless I thought not to be so worried as it could be worse if it were a downpour like we experienced during our Merdeka Run 2 months ago and off I headed to Polo Ground.
It was still drizzling lightly along the way and thank god it stopped when I arrived at the Start and I told myself it would be a perfect environment to run.

According to the press a total of 1231 runners took part. The race was gunned-off sharply at 7:30. Like previous years the prize giving ceremony and luck draw which consist of a grand prize of a motorcycle were held at The Residency across the padang.

As usual we had our happy hours of fun and makan after the finish. Thanks to Mei Ling the main item on her menu this time was the yummy yummy muffin and thanks to all who were kind enough to bring along other food items. Thanks to all the photographers especially William, SK and Sunny and to all the helpers especially Andrew, Gan and many others.

Below is a list of our results:

10.25km
Men
43:52 - Tan Ah Ching (Ah Soon)
44:43 - Tan Cheng Jin
48:03 - Tan Eng Hooi
48:07 - Soon Boon Beng
48:29 - Loh Soo Hock
48:50 - Andrew Loh Lean Hock
49:53 - Ong Leng Hin
50:21 - Leow Khek Piow
51:21 - Anson Kiek Eng Li
52:51 - James Lee Yeow San
53:12 - Bok Chek We
53:15 - Eric Lim Tzu Yiang
53:46 - Cheng Siew Czing
54:18 - Chee Wee Man
55:17 - Ong Leng Chin
55:26 - Francis Khor Hock Thye
56:12 - Cheng Siew Seng
56:52 - Khoo Hock Beng
1:00:11 - Chin Keat Hon
1:01:07 - Choo Cheng Liang
1:01:20 - Lee Chee Hoy
1:02:34 - Ngiam Kah Huan

Women
54:08 - Jenny Wong
56:23 - Gan Hoay Jen
56:59 - Lee Heng Keat
58:31 - Peh Tuan Tuan
59:34 - Gan Hoay Woon
1:00:23 - Lee Mei Lan
1:01:25 - Chung Mei Ling
1:07:18 - Yeap Saw Khuan


Click here for a photo album courtesy of Mei Ling
Click here for a photo album courtsy of SK
Click here for a photo album courtesy of Sunny Ng
Click here for a photo album courtesy of Ch'ng Lay Hooi