Lil' Khoo: Sundown Marathon

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Sundown Marathon

Took part in the Sundown Marathon at the 21km distance for the first time. I wanted to take part in their inaugural race but they had only the Marathon and 84km category. This is their first year in organising the 21km race.

Didn't expect much from this race yet again as preparation for this wasn't perfect. I was targeting for a 1:35 - 1:40 timing based on my current fitness. Not too sure how many runners took part in the Half Marathon category, but the queue seems really long. I had to jump over the barricade just to get nearer to the starting line but in the ned had to settle for about 30-40 meters from the start. Once the race started, I had to zig zag my way to get to the leaders, took me a long while before coming close to the Top 15 (I think. Well it was about 150m-200m behind if you consider that close). I then had to hit the brakes as I don't want to burn myself out. There were a lot of caucasians out in front, a few other runners overtook me and I tried to hang on, but couldn't. I knew my every 5km splits will differ a lot as I felt my pace was pretty erratic. As I found out in the end (based on my watch timing), it was true. Here are my splits (this is based on gun time) & my HR:

12:54 - 03km - 0:12:54 (156bpm)

21:35 - 05km - 0:21:35 (156bpm) - 8:41 (2km)

23:28 - 10km - 0:45:04 (151bpm)

21:41 - 15km - 1:06:45 (155bpm) - Probably where I saw Zul!

25:14 - 20km - 1:31:59 (157bpm) - Don't ask me what happened here!

04:31 - 21km - 1:36:31 (159bpm) - Ranked 27 overall

Winners in Mens Half Marathon came in with a time in between 1:20 - 1:22.

My race bib

Some friends who took part in the race:

Ooi Keat, Chin Ann, Veron (Virgin Marathon) and Su getting ready for their 11:59pm start in the Marathon

Azri (Marathon) and Zas/Zul (came close in beating me)

My friend Charlene (Spore) who did a PB of 1:57:40

Keat Seong, Jenn, Poh Seng & friends at the Marathon start line

Winners of the Men & Women Half Marathon category (with the exception of 1st place women - don't know where she went)

Joining the Ultra Marathoners for a teh tarik session. Lawrence (Marathon), Victor & Choi (Ultra) - All still looking fresh although just got back from venue after finishing.