Big, blue and magnificent

DAYS after the 2016 Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon (SCKLM) and participants are still raving about the running event. Well organised, say many while others rant about the good quality and stylish blue race tee, enough “refuelling” stations offering water and 100Plus, along with fruit, power gel and muscle spray allotment.
CELEBRATED EVENT
A much anticipated running event that gets running enthusiasts excited, the Standard Chartered Marathon is held across nine cities – Bangkok, Dubai, Stanley (Falkland Islands), Hong Kong, Jersey (UK), Mumbai, Nairobi, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
The SCKLM2016 at Dataran Merdeka last week saw participation from new and seasoned runners, first-time marathoners and running forces to be reckoned with.
With 35,095 runners (to be exact), participating across varied race categories, wearing nine different coloured bib types; foreign runners amounted to 2,000 individuals representing 70 countries. Race disciplines included the Full Marathon (42.195km), Half Marathon (21.0975km), 10km Speed, Cruise and Leisure Run, 5km Fun Run and Kid’s Dash (3km and 1km).
In all, Malaysians were proud to have Sheela Samivellu, the only Malaysian woman, to take one of the top three spots in the open category division, which was dominated by Kenyans and one Ethiopian. [For results and timing, visit www.kl-marathon.com, for photos, visit www.Marathonphotos.com]
HEAVY DUTY
This year, the completion time for the full marathon was set at seven hours, but participants needed to reach specific checkpoints within stipulated cut-off times. “The purpose behind this was to ensure the safety of the runners and that the roads were manned in a systematic manner,” said SCKLM race organiser and Dirigo Events director Rainer Biemans.
The organisers also engaged 28 pacers to encourage runners to meet their cut-off times and targets. “Running alone and running as a pacer is different. While both cross the finish line, the satisfaction as a pacer is one that money cannot buy. As a pacer, the race is no longer mine as my task is to run and assist others to cross the finish line. Call it motivate or kick-ass, the mission is to bring the runners back within 6 hours and 30 minutes or even faster,” shared Evelyn Ang Loo, an avid runner who has participated in races across the globe.
Known within the running fraternity for being fast and focused Lim Yew Khuay shared: “Every runner runs with a different target in mind, but everyone is heading for the same finishing line ... you are never alone.” Hence, his undertaking as a pacer to help others achieve their target.
Seasoned and knowledgeable runner CC Choi had this to say of his experience pacing for the sixth year at SCKLM: “As a pacer, our role is to ensure more runners meet their target finishing time. Hence, we run for others rather than for ourselves.”
MAJOR LEAGUE
Throughout the race, runners made their way through the city; absorbing the landscape and scenery of Kuala Lumpur’s iconic landmarks. Dataran Merdeka served as the race village.
Applauding the remarkable effort was Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia CEO Mahendra Gursahani who said that the bank is proud to provide a platform for people from all walks of life to accomplish extraordinary goals. “These acts are a brilliant demonstration of what personal empowerment can do for the human spirit. We salute all runners that took part in the marathon, and we thank them all for the great support shown,” he said.
Then again, the SCKLM is not all run to beat the clock, especially with the Fun Run and Kids Dash. On the lighter side there was a lovely surprise at this year’s run when participant Chang Soon Yu arrived the finish line to receive a wedding proposal from her fiance DJ Lau. SCB Malaysia will be treating the couple to an exclusive dinner. Other highlights included 300 SCB staff who ran in red tutus to raise HIV awareness and 60 visually-impaired runners who ran with “running buddies” in the 5km race. In all, the SCKLM 2016 was simply fabulous!
FAMOUS PERSONALITIES
Malaysia’s famous youtubers, Jin Lim and Reuban Kang of Jinnyboy TV, joined the merriment too. Both first-time marathon runners trained four months before race day and completed their FMs. Speaking to theSun after the run was Kang, overwhelmed with emotion. “The intense training got me through apart from the encouragement from other participants.” On what got them to sign up, Kang said: “We wanted to prove to everyone that with strong will and determination, nothing is impossible.”
HitsFM radio DJ Prem who can never say no to a challenge, especially from his two colleagues Aishah and Rod, took on his first HM and with no training. His weak knees (due to previous football injuries) got him until kilometre 18. “Imagine what I could have achieved with training,” he said.
After all the hip and hype , Biemans reveals that the most difficult part about organising the 2016 SCKLM was “making sure the over 4,000 involved personnel know and execute their duties properly on race day.” The most enjoyable part of it: “Seeing the smiling faces cross the finish line.”
For more information, visit the SCKLM website or Facebook page.