I was back in Kuching last week when my friend Kaliani informed me that there will be a run on Sun. Entry had closed on 17 June but since it's a charity run, I am sure that they are still accepting entries since it's a run for a good cause. It also coincide with Kuching Hilton's 21st annivesary & also the soon to be opened BCCK. They are raising funds for the following organtisations:
1. Sarawak Children's Cancer Society
2. Sarawak Brest Cancer Support Group
3. Persatuan Ibu Tunggal Sarawak
4. Lembaga Kebajikan Anak-Anak Yatim Sarawak
5. The Sarawak Chesire Home
Reading the Terms & Conditions transportations are not provided for runners going back to Hilton after the run. I had to arrange with Kaliani that one of use will need to park their vehicle at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK). Otherwise got to run back.
Collection of bibs were done on Race Day itself in one of the Hilton's Hall. There were about 300 runners turning up for the run. We were each given a very large bib no (one fo the biggest I've seen and which is also a stick on) and also a small plastic bag to be hang around your neck. I later found out that there will be 9 checkpoints in which runners will be given a checkpoint tags.
The Women Open started out first and 5 mins later it was the Mens. At the start, it was a quick dash to the front and I was surprised that the checkpoint was just in front about 400m after the start. I tried to grab the small squarish paper off the hand of the marshalls but dropped it and had to run back to take it. I was dropped off by the leaders but quickly got back to the lead. After 3km, only 3 of us were in the lead, Didi, Kaliani and me. Then came another checkpoint (cant remember how many checkpoints we went thru already). This time, I saw there 2 person holding boxes. I let Kaliani and Didi to go in front and I was waiting to grab the tag from the 2nd person holding the box...but alas she was holding a box containing water bottles! I had to run back to the first person to get the tag. Unbelievable! Again, I had to increase my pace just to get back into the lead.
Slowly, I faded a little and had to let go of the two. I wasn't too far away form the lead, but I was just too tired to go after them. Then when I saw Borneo Post, I knew the ending was near but I did not respond with an attack on the lead. Instead, I looked back to see if there's anyone behind me. Safe. Coming to the last check point at a roundabout, I thought this was going to be a breeze since I was alone. Then, I saw Didi and Kaliani were directed to the checkpoint which were way off the turn towards BCCK. They had to grab the tags and run back to the turn. I thought using logical sense the guy/gal holding the tags would just stay where they are or run towards the turn to give out the tags! But what did they do? He/She ran back to the orginal position, I had to shout at them and run after them. Kaliani shouted at me and told me he has additional tag. I was so "pai seh" I shouted to him to go ahead and I chased after him to grab the tag. Once I got it, I was already out of breath. I had to let him go again, and just glide to the finish line somewhere around 32 mins. I guess I was around 1 - 1'30 mins behind the top 2.
Group photo (I am not inside)
Top 3 finishers from Men and Women Open posing with their thropies and prizes.
I met a few familiar faces during the run and it is always good to catch up with them. Anyway, my prizes include a 2 day 1 night stay at Kuching Hilton, Suite Room with breakfast for 2, Buffet Lunch at Kuching Hilton for 2, Dinner at BCCK for 2 worth RM150, a water bottle from Red Bull, 6 cans of Red Bull and 1 trophy.
I gave the dinner and buffet lunch vouchers to my parents. Left the trophy, bottle and the drinks behind too when I came back to KL. So am left with the 2 day 1 night stay in Hilton. Might saved that up for my trip back for The Rainforest Music Festival in July.
News and results of the run were posted in Eastern Times - Hilton~BCCK
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