What? KRI 12km Road Race 2007
Where? Ipoh, Perak
When? 7:00am; 18 November 2007
How Long? 12km
Who? Organised by Ipoh Road Runners Club
Official Website: Ipoh Road Runners
I took the Transnasional bus to Ipoh. I was quite surprised with the interior of the bus. The bus was brand new. The seats at the back rows were all singles, unlike the usual two seats located along the aisle, providing comfort and more personal space. In many occasions, I hate it when the stranger sitting next to me fall asleep and start to drool on me.
I didn't do much sight-seeing this time around. It rained after I checked into Seri Malaysia Hotel. So, I just stayed in the hotel room doing some photo editing on my laptop.
I took a short walk to Ipoh Parade Mall for dinner. Had pasta at a cafe called "bon apetite". Then later it was rest and relax time back at the hotel.
One of Ipoh landmark roundabout. I was at the right time to capture the sun "resting" on top of the fountain. Could have been nicer if not for the lamp post.
Race day. 18 November. Yes. I was born 30-something years ago on this date. Not many people know about this. I kept it low key as I don't really like to celebrate it. To me it's just another day. Another day towards senile decay and one step closer to six feet under. LOL! I think I am having an onset of mid-life crisis here!
Anyway, back to the run....
The run started at the Polo Ground. It was a beautiful morning. As like any other out of town runs, I met many runners from KL and Kuantan who just like me travelled all the way to Ipoh, the Bougainvillea City just to run 12km.
Running vests for male and female are blue and red respectively this year.
The roads in Ipoh are in very good conditions.
Sawasdee krub! We ran passed a Thai wat.
Look at the beautifully trimmed trees on the left side of the road. Work of art, if you ask me. Heheh!
The distance markers are present at every 2 km.
Heheh! This guy is walking/ running without shoes. Poor thing! Never never run in a pair of new shoes.
The route took us to some residential area for the rich in Ipoh. Big house. Big lawn. Big cars. Big wives as well....Heheh!
The sceneries along the route are pleasant. We were shielded from the sun by all these tall and shady trees.
Arul Tevar lives here???
Gorgeous tree. Tall. See the yellow blooms on it?
Proud SABIAN.
Two more km to go....(Insert huffing and puffing here)
The last 1 km of the run was in the recreation park. If u notice the sign, it says - GO SLOW! Race in Progress. Hmmmm....It was a race, right? Why on earth did the organiser ask us to slow down? Heheh!
Like father, like son.
Swaggering towards the finish line.....
Unique shaped medal. Looks like a flattened cup.
Medal collection for the past 9 years. Cool eh?
My good friend Tey showing the pictures he took during the run.
They say Ipoh girls are pretty and fair. I couldn't agree less. Heheh!
Breakfast pack. I must praise the maker of the buns. They were delicious!
My Ipoh friend, YK took me to the Ipoh famous, Sun Yuan Loong coffee shop for brunch. I ordered curry "Loh Shu Fun", which literally translated to Rat Tail Noodle. The noodles do look like the end of rat tails. The taste? Rata-toi-cious! LOL!
After brunch and cup of Ipoh famous white coffee later, YK sent me to Gopeng Bus Terminal. Bumped into The Running Freeman at the terminal. He was waiting for the bus to KL too. Coincidently, we would be taking the same bus.
What's in the Goodies Bag?
1 x Mamee noodle snack
1 x JIGs prawn crackers snack
1 x Tinge lemon flavoured drink
1 x Ipoh famous Charbroil Hiong Piah biscuit
1 x Ipoh famous Menglembu Groundnuts
1 x Chocolate wafer
1 x cookies
2 x sachets of health product for OLD joints. (For old man like me.....!!!)
1 x Pantene Shampoo - for hair fall...(Yeah! I need it for the receeding hairline. What a birthday gift! LOL!)
Sorely missed is the fabulous RUNNING CALENDAR that we got in the goodies bag last year! I was looking forward for it actually. No sponsor this year?
Overall, KRI 12km Road Race was well organised. They are runners, so they easily anticipate runners needs. The route was good and scenic. Traffic contol excellent. Water station adequate.
There are still rooms for improvements especially on the dreadfully long prize presentation ceremony and lucky draw. They did not have to bring all the TOP 20 to the stage. Top 3 would do. The winners were also all over the places. I pity the MC who had to waste his saliva calling the winners to go up the stage! Heheh!
I heard next year's event will be a bigger bash! It will be KRI's 10th Anniversary. I will definitely go for it! See ya!
