Dutamas Runners Handicap Race Series - Race 1

Dutamas Runners had their first organised (well a little unorganised) race in the morning of the New Year's Eve. Although fun by nature it was just as competitive. I brought in the concept of a handicap race as I've experience it first hand both in NZ & Australia. So how does this handicap race works?

Firstly, we compiled best current timing of each runner in certain distance, say a 10-k timing based on trust. From there, I'll work out their estimated finishing time for 8.6k (4 loops around Desa Park City). Then, I will decide on their handicap with the slowest runner to start first and the fastest, last. Basically everyone would ideally be on a level playing field if they had given me a "fair timing" for themselves. However, it can be difficult counting in the factors, i.e. their current training, on the day fitness, etc. It's hard to estimate an appropriate timing for everyone when you don't much database on each of the runners.

As I want it to be a regular race for the group, I will keep the records of each runs and hopefully come out with better rules & regulations to make this event fairer for everyone. I am starting to think that races in KL of late is charging a little to expensive. Gone were the days where you are charged RM10 and race. Therefore, organising a handicap race like this without the emphasis on medals nor running vest, can just be as competitive and fun.

I wish I was running myself on the day but someone had to be the official, photographer, water boy, so I volunteered myself to do it, so that everyone else can take part in it. I apologise to those runners who had to pour their own drinks at the water station. Hey, I only got two hands mar.....

Anyway, here are the results for the handicap race:

As you may be confused by the results table, the position ranking column is the actual finishing position of each runner. However, due to the handicap, the faster runner (as per timing ranking column) will not be the winner of the race. Fendy won the race by the smallest of margin when he managed to pipped Kenny about 100m from the finishing line. It was such a close race. Had Kenny knew Fendy was coming from behind, the race to the finish could have turned out to be an all out sprint! The faster runners were huffing & puffing trying to chase down the runners in front of them and of course those who started out earlier were really determined not to be overtaken. So well done to everyone who has taken part!

Prizes were in wide range from toilet detergent to Tesco vouchers. There were even lucky draw prizes given out, courtesy from Ray aka Tomatoman & me as well. Nothing much to the lucky draw, as some items were sponsored item from previous runs, nevertheless there were meant to be given out for fun in nature.

Thanks to Yvonne for her contribution in one of the best medals ever (and you don't have to pay RM60 for it!). Also, thanks to Yin who came out not just to support her mum running but being the 'official' event photographer....

Before flag-off for the first runner...

Setting up DVD stall....I meant drinking station...hehe....

The first runner flagging off....Kenny (he looks like he's going for a bull fight!)

The four musketeers starting together....

3 sepuluh ringgit....

The eventual winner Fendy getting ready for his start...

The two fastest runners Melvin & Wong getting their final countdown....

Kenny giving a big thumbs up for the event...

Runners quenching their thirst....

Oh...they need to mark their own cups!

This is how you should finish your race....in style....

The top 5 prizes and medals....wait...are those cookies? It is both...cookie medals!

SH with all smiles...motivation for all...

Andrew getting his medal...

Azam just happy to be out running...

Now you see it....

Wong receiving his medal from Datuk Bin...

Chae Yin proud of her effort.....

Oh....how sweet....Datuk Bin presenting the medal to his wifey...sob sob...

This guy cannot tahan to eat his medal liaw...even plastic also want to eat!

The Top 5...

Melvin giving a tutorial...This is how you wash the toilet bowl...

Yloon....Nescafe kopi kaseh kau sikit...

This is going to smell good in my room....

Kenny....Milo Ais Satu....

The winner....Fendy Ahmad...RM50 Tesco Voucher..don't forget us when you go shopping!

The lucky draw prizes....

And someone thought that this was the top lucky draw prize...Honda cub....

Looking forward to the next Handicap Series!

Training Progress for Boston Marathon

Training is still progressing slowly. Although I'm feeling fitter than 2-3 weeks ago, I am still no where near the peak. Running a 5:00m/km pace is much easier now than before. My foot has been kind to me so far during my runs, although feeling the pain when I wake up in the mornings is still there, it is much more bearable than couple months ago. I am still trying to increase my mileage gradually, but sometimes work commitments and of course a little lack of motivation after a long lay off is expected. 

After this weekend Malakoff Run, will try to wake up in the morning for runs, so that by the end of the day, I won't have to rush back home to go out for a run. It's easier said than done since waking up early has always been an issue for me! More of a evening runs person.

I am planning a race for the Dutamas Runners group on 31 Dec. It's a handicap race where the slower runners will get to start first followed by the faster runners based on their best/current 10-k timing. Thought this would be a fun race to do as I got this idea form the time of my study in NZ. Handicap races are quite popular there. I am sure they will get a kick in chasing down the runners in front of them. Geoff will the first runner to start off and the last runner, Melvin, will be giving Geoff about 28 min headstart in a 8.6km race (Actual distance will be announced soon). This will hopefully be Dutamas Runners monthly race series and will keep this as part of a tracking to see the improvement of each runner. Chin Ann even requested me to make this like the Champions League format! Here is the listing of those taking part (there will quite a few runners who have decided to give this event a miss, but I intend to list them down for future tracking purposes).

Good luck those running the Malakoff Run this weekend and also to Yvonne & Bin, who will be doing their first official marathon race this Sun in Taipei running the Fubon Taipei Marathon. AS for me, I got to pick up steam in my training!

Preparation For Upcoming Races

There are couple races to prepare for this year. Not much I can do to clock a good time in the coming months as I have not recovered fully from my injury on my left foot. Anyway, I was more than happy to help the others to prepare for their races. Some to better their time, some running for the first time.

Key races:

1. Adidas King of The Road - 2 October 2011(Official website, click here)

2. Malakoff KL Run - 18 December 2011(Registration open: Click here)

Dutamas Runners group have been training hard and recently had their first group circuit training. This is where we did 10 forms of exercises. We couldn't find an indoor place and our plan to have it inside the outdoor tennis court in Anggunpuri Condo was foiled by heavy rain that started late evening. However, we made the most of it by having the training done in the basement carpark of the condo. It was torturous but I felt that everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves (HOPEFULLY!).

Here's a video posted in facebook by Andrew Hsien. Click here.

There will be a training run this Wednesday at Desa Park City (DPC) at 8.30pm. For anyone who wants to join, please meet us at the carpark next to the clubhouse of DPC. Distance will be around 8km, 4 loops around DPC.

Some of the other activities we did:

1. A trekking adventure to Sg Kanching

2. Participation in Pacemaker Anniversary Run 7 - Taman Metropolitan Kepong

The Porklings

3. And as always, when you run, there's always good food waiting for you at the end.

So join the Dutamas Runners Revolution.....

More Photos From Nature Run (FRIM)

The women were all podium finishers today. Congratulations!

Womens Open

Yvonne Teo (3rd)

Womens Veteran

Yin Boey(1st)

Yin's mum (3rd)

Melvin finishes in 13th position. Giving a thumbs up!

Group photos........

Standing in between Womens Open Winner, 3rd place and also the Veteran Womens Winner. And of course Melvin!

We had lots of chances to win the lucky draw since everyone left their bibs with us, but none was picked!

And me.....

Thanks again Yvonne for the photos!

Dutamas Runners Conquered The Hills Of FRIM!

On a Sunday morning where most runners will be running through the roads and bridge in Penang, Dutamas Runners ((DRs) turn up for the Charity Nature Run organised by the students of ALC College. Yin, her mum, Yvonne, Bin and me left for FRIM at about 7.30am. Run only starts at 8.45am. We found a car park near the starting line and registered ourselves by dropping one of our bib in the lucky draw box. Most of us only registered the last minute. Since this is a charity run, we thought it will be good to run for a cause and also a change of running scene. FRIM is quite popular place for hikers, joggers and also mountain biking. There, we met up with the rest of the DRs: Wei Li, David, Shaun and Melvin. Wei Li is preparing himself for another charity run in Macau, a half marathon in the coming few weeks time. We also met, Chen, Daniel and YS Lee. Daniel and YS Lee already did a warm up earlier around the course and told us it was short of the stated 8km. They mentioned it was only 6km. (And I took their word! Story later....). Also met up with Peck Yah and her daughter who just flew back from Melbourne. Jack Toh was there too.

I wasn't sure how I was going to tackle this race as I knew my training wasn't ideal at the moment. But I knew I want to run it fast, taking this like a tempo run. It didn't really matter whether I'll finish in a good position or not, but then again, there weren't that many strong runners in the field. Most runners are either in Penang or because this event do not offer cash prize, most 'elite' runners will shy away from such events. The rest of the Dutamas Runners had a good chance of get the Top 40 finishing medals and even a podium finish.

The Route

It takes us through the trails and also some of the asphalt road in FRIM. A good change of running environment once a while and the greens in FRIM give you a much cleaner air. Of course, would have love it even more if the ALC College students organised it very much earlier than the stated time of 8.45am. We were informed that it will be brought forward but the California Fitness trainer probably did a little too much for warm up with the runners and it started slightly after 8.45am.

The Race
YS Lee reserved a place for me in the front and when the air horn went off, a few young guys started real quick heading into the trails which incidentally is a steep climb. I took my time to overtake the guys since I was expecting the hill. Once we hit the hill, I took over the lead. As Jack was following me closely, I thought it would be good to press on the pace in the hills and hopefully I can lose him. The downside is that I may risk getting tired myself and he'll be able to take over if he can keep up with me. Luckily, the sound of his footsteps start to fade and soon I was able to put in a gap. 

Back to the distance. As I took Daniel and YS Lee's words that the route was short at 6km, I estimated that if I run 5:00/km pace (add in the hills), I'll finish around 30mins. But after 30mins, the finish line was nowhere on sight! The time went on and still no finish line. I was a little worried that Jack's going to overtake me, so I looked back to check on the gap, but I couldn't see him. I ran out of steam as I didn't expect that there were more slopes near the end of the race. I slowed down my pace to catch some breath and on the way back saw some of the Dutamas Runners running passed me on the opposite direction. When I saw there were more cars on the road, I knew the finish line was near, so I hung on the pace till the finish line. Soon, one by one the Dutamas Runners came through to the finish line. And they did well. I am hoping all of them can improve on their PBs in bigger events!


It was nice to know that I had a personal escort throughout the race. A guy on the bike guiding me through the route. Peet! Peet! Peet!

We stayed back for the lucky draw but we weren't so lucky. Had to go back empty handed except for the medals. 

Some results today:
Distance: 9.09km (according to Daniel Tan's GPS)

Mens Open
39:07 - Me (1st) - Clap! Clap! Clap! Self praised is no praise!
00:00 - Jack Toh (2nd)
00:00 - (3rd)
00:00 - Chen KH (4th)

Medallist:
00:00 - Melvin Lim (13th)
00:00 - Wong Yi Bin (23rd)
00:00 - Wei Li (xx)

Shaun and David missed out on the medals since they have not been running for quite a while.


Womens Open
00:00 - Katie (Canada) (1st)
57:57 - Yvonne Teo (3rd)


Womens Veteran
00:00 - Yin Boey (1st) - Yin's first win! Congrats!
00:00 - Auntie Boey (SH/Yin's mum) (3rd) - she did well to beat the younger women runners!


Mens Veteran
44:56 - Daniel Tan (1st)
52:00 - YS Lee (5th)

From left (standing): Wei Li, Yi Bin, Shaun, Yin, SH  (Kneeling): Yvonne, Melvin and me

From left: Yi Bin, Shaun Lee, David Ong, Me and Wei Li

More photos later......


Thanks to Yvonne for the photos!

Dutamas Runners

I've seen a lot of runners who run alone or in pairs at different times around the area I am staying. For that reason, I am thinking of starting a group in this area called Dutamas Runners. At least there will be a group run from this area since a lot of condos are clustered together in this area. So I am pretty sure they are a lot of other runners who do their own workouts just like me. It will be great to meet and greet these runners.

So if anyone is keen, I've created a facebook page for Dutamas Runners. Please click on the link and accept it. Will update the facebook page for any runs organised around the Jalan Dutamas Raya area. Even anyone who is a beginner are most welcome.

Tentatively, suggested start area for future runs will be in front of the French International School. Please look at the map below for location.

First Run:

Date: 17 July 2010 (Saturday)

Time: 6.30am

Location: Car Park in front of French International School
Distance: 7.2km

Pace: Slow and Easy

For any information, you can also email me at: khooyk@yahoo.com