Kuala Lumpur Rat Race

This year I was at the annual corporate charity event, The Kuala Lumpur Rat Race. But this time am only watching it from the sidelines. I've taken part 3 times myself, 2005, 2007 and 2008. That was after I joined Southern Bank/CIMB. Didn't take part in 2006 as Southern Bank was taken over by CIMB during that time. It's one of the kind event that's being held in the middle of busy KL streets. Plus, the run starts in the late afternoon at 5pm. The race can be hot and humid at that time of the day. It drizzled a little before the start but didn't deter the participants of the fans away.

What's so different about this event compared to any other running races? For one thing, you have to wear your office wear (of course you are allowed to wear your running shoes) to run over a course of 4.5km around the major area in the city, starting from Bursa Saham KL (BSKL) passing thru major offices, such as Wisma Genting, KLCC, pubs and cafe over in Jalan P. Ramlee, Concorde Hotel, KL Tower and back to BSKL. To participate each team consist of 5 runners, a company must contribute RM5,000. All monies collected are given to the identified beneficiaries. To win, all members of the team must finish the race and the the team with the less total of rankings will be the winner. The categories have been expanded over the years and this year, the Senior Category is been introduced. Last year the mixed team event was introduced. There's a CEO Race as well, whereby CEOs are required to run a 1km race while the main race covers 4.5km.

Supposedly, it's a non competitive event but the race has become fast and furious of late, with company sending some of their best runners. And a lot of teams are coming out with company t-shirts or uniforms. It kind of deviates from the original version where everyone wears office wears, with the exception of staff from fitness centres of course.

This event is well publicised and I'm always looking foward to run in such event with carnival like atmosphere. Lots of cheering team all around, well dressed up and cheering loudly for their teams. Cheerleading teams also in the running for top 3 prizes. Hard to find this kind of atmosphere in any other running event, which I think it should be good in popularising running. Although, I think this will need a lot of involvement of corporate companies, but other events have something to learn from this one.

It's kind of sad watching it from the sidelines and not being able to run this year as I thought I am fitter than I was in last 3 years combined. But I had fun meeting up old colleagues or some familiar faces. I was busy taking photos this time around, but somehow due to my mediocre knowledge in taking good photographs or maybe it's my camera lah....all my photos turn out to be pretty bad. Sorry guys!

Full results for winners and report, click this link

CIMB defended the mixed team category with the top 2 runners still in the same order as last year, T.Eswaran and K. Baskaran. In the new category, CIMB veteran runners finished TOP 2 but the team could only finished 2nd. Jessica Tang who is in the mixed team as well won the mixed team women's category.

Nothing major happened this time as what happened in Adidas KOTR. However, when I was at their prize presentation, the video replay showed a guy who just collapse just 10 meters from the finishing line. I think he was the one which was taken away by ambulance (photo below). I just felt if Gary had the same treatment, he would live see another day.

I stayed there for while and had some food (free what!) but had to make my way back before the prize presentation as it appears it was going to rain.

For more photos or videos, pls click on this link:

1. Run Wit Me Blog

2. Seecube Blog

3. Photos from Photobucket