Twincity Marathon 2019 - The 5th Anniversary Edition

Twincity Marathon - the go-to marathon event should you want to start the year with a 42,195km run. Me? I'm sticking to 12km. Running 42km for a bowl of cendol is just too much work! Yes, this is the one and only marathon event that serves ice cold cendol, among other food along its route in Cyberjaya.    

This year, to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the event, the medal design depicts the 5 main ethnic groups in Malaysia – Malay, Chinese, Indian, and the biggest ethnic in Sabah – Kadazan, and in Sarawak – Iban (while not forgetting other ethnics); coming together to celebrate unity and prosperity in one event that is Twincity Marathon 2019. 

The Race Entry Pack Collection (REPC) was held in Tamarind Square from 17 - 19 January. Last year, it was held in a smaller space in the DPulze Shopping Mall. The only complain I have for Tamarind Square is the place is like a maze. Every corner looks the same. I got lost trying to look for the REPC area. Luckily, I managed to get some help from a security guard.  

I wasn't quite happy with the sudden change of the Brooks apparel to an unknown brand, Prime by the official apparel supplier, Paragon Vest due to some "new branding strategy". Even though this is no fault of Ten Senses Sdn Bhd, the organiser of Twincity Marathon, this unexpected change has somehow marred otherwise a great event.  

On the event day, I woke up around 3:30am. Got ready and ordered a GRAB from my place in Cheras. Not too bad, it only cost RM31 (RM34.50 after toll) from Cheras to Dpulze, Cyberjaya. I scrapped the initial plan of taking the Grab to Bandar Tasik Selatan for ERL to Putrajaya Sentral and then Grab to Cyberjaya. Just too many transits and not much saving.  

Arrived at Dpulze earlier than expected and waited for the half marathon flag off. Good weather...

The Half Marathon flag off. 4,500 runners took part in the HM, making it the highest number among all of the categories in the Twincity Marathon. 2,400 FM runners, 1,800 12km runners and 1,500 for the 5km.

Waiting for the flag off. The 12km flag off was punctual at 6:30am sharp, to the beat of the drums from the percussion group.

The sky was still dark. Ran with extra care as there were certain stretches that were devoid of street lights in the first 3km.

The first water station seemed a little chaotic. The crew members were struggling to pour water into the cups. Some runners had to help themselves to the water on their own. 

One of the iconic underpasses in Cyberjaya. 

Sunrise @ Taman Tasik Cyberjaya

Keep running!

Messy - used cups were strewn on the ground. The organisers should provide proper trash receptacles.  

The only way is up!

One of the many checkpoints along the route.

We Run Cyberjaya! Good weather this morning!

Met a friend at the point where the half marathon runners converge with the 12km runners.

Cyber 8

A RELA member marshalling the course.

Dead Pool spotted.

Some live entertainment at the food station.

Food stations - serving freshly prepared Keropok Lekor and Cakoi. Also available Nestle Fitnesse Breakfast Cereal, Power Root drinks... 

A runner suffering from cramp in the background.

When it hits you, it hits you. Another runner suffering from cramp sat down in the middle of the road.

Distance markers are prominent and accurate.

There are no rolling hills in Cyberjaya but you do get some gradients like this to keep you on your toes.

Police traffic officers on the route to ensure the safety of the runners.

Purple shirts and Orange vests. 

CC Choi doing his 3:00 HM pacer duty while testing the new shoes from Xiaomi Running shoes.

A little chaotic once we crossed the finish line. There were no signages indicating where each category to go. Long queue here and the 12km runners were stuck alongside the full marathon/ half marathon runners who were waiting for their results to be printed,

Abang Omar on duty! Thank you for the beautiful medal! 

Half marathon & marathon runners getting their provisional result slips printed here. Without the slip, no finisher tee for you. There are CP splits on the slip. Good initiative to prevent cheater and course cutters.

For a small fee, you can get a post-race rub down. 

Serving the best post-race fried bihun for five years running. 

#IRunSoICanEat 

I felt kinda queasy after the run. Think the oily cakoi didn't sit well in my tummy. Next time, I should be careful not to eat oily stuff during my run. Heheh!  

Overall, Twincity Marathon has proven itself to be one of the best running events in Cyberjaya, if not in Malaysia. Good organisation and good post run care. Happy 5th Anniversary Twincity Marathon!

The beautiful finisher medal highlighting the unity of the people of Malaysia. 

What I like:
1) Excellent traffic control
2) Provisional result slips for half marathon and marathon finishers.
3) Introduction of Kids Dash
4) Plenty of portable toilets along the route (near water stations)
5) Food station for 12km
6) Plenty of photo walls at the finish line.
7) Beautiful medal to add to my collection.

Need Improvement:
1) Messy water stations. Crew members were seen scrambling to pour water into the cups. More receptacles to collect used cups which were strewn all over the ground. Was told water had run out for the full marathon category. Yikes!
2) Long queue @ finish line. Can be better!
3) More trash bins to be provided. Trash bins were overflowing and rubbish was left on the ground.