Race Report from Ketam Batu:
Before the race?
The Tanjung 10K (T10K) was held at the infamous (and bladdy muddy) Padang Polo. We (me and Becholi) went to collect our bibs on Saturday from the usual Batu Uban Sports Complex. We were surprised to see police outriders manning the front gate. Wah, major event huh. Parked our car and proceeded to the collection room. Heard some guy giving out some patriotic speech! Wahlau, it's no other than Koh Tsu Khoo, the Penang Chief Minister. Well, he was there to launch another function, nothing gotta do with the T10K. Went straight to collect our bibs, entered the room, there were a handful of people already queuing up. Looked round.. apalah.. really no Sponsor la! It was a PAAA self-funded run. No goodie bags, nothing..elek !
Race day?
Reached Padang Polo at around 7.00am. Parked the car at the General Hospital grounds, just opposite the Padang. Took a slow jog to the reporting area. Yes, there were no loud techno music, no senamrobic, apa pun tarak ! Just a simple Start/Finish banner. There weren't any booths setup for bag deposits either. Luckily we left our bags in the car- that explains the lack of photos too. Reporting was done using the 'kandang kerbau' method. We were given a yellow band and shooed into the Polo Ground School compound. Looked around, saw the usual runners..mostly Penang veterans, Dam runners, the usual suspects. Of course there were the eager school boys and girls too. I guess the more famous runners were down in PJ for the Half. 7.30am, The flood gates opened and all the 'kerbaus' were led to the Start/Finish line. I tried to squeeze my way through the 600 strong
crowd to get a good front start. There was a brief speech, given by some senior official of the PAAA (must be the secretary) but I guess no one was paying attention. Couldn't hear what he was mumbling about also. Then suddenly this official whipped out a gun! From his pocket. Wah, I think he practices this everyday..gaya betul ! With a short countdown, he squeezed the trigger and off we go.
1KM? (Jalan Macalister)
Aiks! They changed the route ah! We were supposed to cut through the Hospital car park opposite but instead they re-directed us to a slightly longer route. Well, I was busy steaming ahead, cutting people left and right. I told myself to slow down and not get sucked into the vacuum. Slowed down my pace slightly behind a leng lui (I was running without specs!) Damn, she's fast (She later ended up 2nd in the Women's Open).
2.5KM (Jalan Anson)
Becholi caught up with me. I signaled to her to pass, as I was easing off the pace into cruise control. The we approached this middle aged Indian runner (who looked like the clean cut Amitabh Baachan). Stuck to his buntut..
3KM (Jalan Burma)
Passed the Indian runner at the turn to Jalan Burma and wanted to speed off, but I decided to hold my pace. Becholi up her pace slightly and was 10m in front. Well, he (the Indian runner) didn't want to give up his position and turbo'ed past both of us. We exchanged passes all the way till Jalan Kelawai (4KM).
4.5 KM (Jalan Pangkor-Jalan Kelawai)
I was running at a comfortable pace, Becholi has pulled away to some 50m away. I was still pacing with the Indian runner, cutting a few uncles and school boys. I think the Turbo session was taking it's toll on my body. I felt a slight cramp in my stomach. I decided to ease my pace even more. Had to let the Indian runner go.
5KM (Jalan Kelawai ? Jalan Gottlieb)
Collected my 2nd band (red) and was pacing with a teenager and another local chinese runner. It was going uphill for like 500m..arrgh!! Looked at my watch, time was still on my side. Just continued to run easy when
suddenly an Indian couple (Veterans) 'potong sayur' me. I couldn't just let them go so I turn on my turbines(what's left of it) and 'potong' them back. Silly ! That used up 30% more fuel..I started the race on ½ tank and by now I'm already near 'e' .
7Km (Jalan Utama)
Ah..a familiar running route. I like this part because it's shady and cooling. Up my pace a little and could clearly see Becholi up front and the Leng Lui further ahead, busy 'potong-ing' from the middle of the road ! I knew it was her because her legs were so fair..hahaha ! Just as I were about to reach the turn to Jalan Macaliste (7.5km), a girl turbo'ed past me. Not again ! I tried to turbo back but somehow my turbine was already over heating. Sadly, I have to let her go.
8Km (Jalan Macalister)
By now, the top finishers have already completed the course. I looked at my watch, holy sh!t, time is running out. I must have eased my pace too much. I ditched my pacer and increased my pace. I had a good time passing
some tiring runners, and being passed by others too.
9Km (Jalan Residensi)
Another Leng Lui (wearing full Grey Asiscs gear) whizzed pass me. My turbines were functioning again, so I turbo'ed behind her. She probably has plenty of fuel left while my lungs were already moving into overdrive.
10Km (Sepoy Lines Road (Padang Polo) /Finish)
Just before the turn into the Final stretch, I came side by side to this middle-aged Chinese runner. I could see the Finishing line in front of me, but couldn't really judge the actual distance, blurred vision..hehe. He told me in Hokkien "Kau Liau Kau Liau, Boey Sii Liau Ah" (Translated "Reaching, Reaching, Gonna 'Die' soon). Well, I gave him a shout and asked him to put in a final dash for the Finishing line. I turned on my second turbine and turbo'ed away. Well, he didn't follow though. Damn, I 'potong-sayur' quite a number of people but like NOS, my gas soon ran out, barely 30m from the line. Damn, can't give up now, lungs were already in oxygen starvation mode! Passed the line and checked on my watch..haiya..missed my target sub 1hr ! Collected my finishers' Medal.
Post Race.
It was a pleasant surprise that all runners were asked to take a walk accorss the Padang and proceed to the Governor's house (his compound la). There we have it..some flip-flopping in their slippers, topless males
showing their Char Koay Teow bellies, all happily walking into the Governor's grounds. We conjured at the side of his very very big newly refurbished Mansion. The grounds were ½ as large as the Botanical Gardens. There were the usual speeches and prize giving. Becholi got a medal for her 3rd placing. The highlight was the lucky draw for a new Honda EX5 motorbike. Unfortunately, we didn't get any of the draw prizes.
In summary, the run was properly organized although self-funded (except for the EX5). Things started and ended on time, no drink stations though. The PAAA has probably learnt and gain experience from organizing bigger events like the Penang Bridge Run and MAS Intl Marathon (Dinosaur years ago). Kudos to everyone!
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