A Runner Passed Away at Adidas KOTR

I just found out from friend's facebook comments that a guy passed away at the Adidas King Of the Road event. Cause of death was believed to be heart attack. A video of him passing out at the finishing line & attended by paramedic was captured: Video

The sad news that we received was that the body found under the basement of the Shah Alam Stadium today. mStar

His name is Gary Leon Robert, a Uniten student. And he was only 15 days shy of his 22nd birthday. May he Rest in Peace.

Updates (4 Aug):

1. Starbucks87dude Blog

2. Tribute to Gary Leon Robert (Contributed by runwitme.blogspot)

3. Malay Mail-Gary's Mysterious Death

Updates (5 Aug):

1. The Star

Adidas KOTR 2009 results

Here are some results for Adidas King of The Road :
(coutersy from PM1 & friend)

Men Open 21.71km (YS Lee GPS):
1'38.10 - Naresh Kumar, Pm37 (00th)
1'38.11 - Lionel Lee (00th)
1'39.25 - Ronnie See, Pm1 (46th)
1'44.20 - Tang Wern Tien (49th)
1'46.11 - Stanley Cheong, Pm53
1'48.20 - Kenny Tan, Pm27
1'48.26 - Hong Zi Shen
1'54.16 - Meyappan Manickam, Pm58
1'55.12 - Suresh, Pm47
1'55.58 - Mohd Azali, Pm46
2'13.00 - Lawrence Law
2'14.00 - Teh Seong Yee (310th)
2'15.00 - Kevin Chow, Pm32
2'17.49 - Frank Chong, Sub Pm6
2'23.00 - Tan Ooi Keat
DNS!!! - Khoo Yit Kiat

Women Open 21.71km :
2'20.00 - Yong Su-Mei

Men Junior Veteran 21.71km :
1'41.04 - Vincent Wong, Pm10 (19th)
1'41.22 - Daniel Tan (20th)
1'55.25 - Datuk Gongli @ Mohd Yaziz, Pm7
1'56.31 - Tay Poh Chye
2'03.08 - Lee Yee Sum
2'10.00 - Kelvin Ng, Pm2

Men Open 11km :
44'11 - Murali Nathan (11th)
48'39 - Gunaselan, Pm39
52'06 - Fauzan Ismail (18th)
59'38 - Ghejanthran (79th)
61'09 - Hasrul Sham, Pm34
62'35 - Wong Kei Ming, Pm55
67'13 - Dinesh Kumaran, Pm4
67'47 - Zuraidi Zainol
00'00 - Chen Pong Pong, Pm8
00'00 - Justin Lee, Pm19

Adidas "KO"TR

Instead of blogging about how the event went, I am down with a slight fever and a bad sore throat today. I decided to pull out when I woke up in the middle of the night at around 3am (No thanks to the stupid mosquito in my room, which I managed to kill it) as my throat was feeling dry and sore. I was thinking maybe I should just go and run to at least get the medal, but in the end, I don't want to really risk of making the fever any worse.

Anyway, I was already feeling that I'm going to get sick over the weekend as I was not drinking much water and and didn't get a proper sleep over the week. As I was packing some stuff in my old apartment yesterday, I could feel that I was feverish. Then, I was caught in horrendous jam heading back to my place due to Anti-ISA protest on KL streets and the road blocks set up by the police yesterday.

Managed to meet up with my cousin, Ah Xi and her husband from Sibu. I haven't met her for quite a long time. They just got back from their honeymoon trip in Taiwan. We had dinner at Sakae Sushi, The Curve. I went straight back after dinner and pack everything getting ready for today's race which didn't happen.

Upcoming Events

Some of the upcoming events:

Kampar Friendship Run 2009
Date: 6 September 2009
Venue: Kampar Grand Hotel
Distance: 4km or 8km (Optional)
More info : Runners Malaysia

Borneo International Marathon 2009

Date: 11 October 2009

Time: 4.00am

Venue: Kota Kinabalu
Distance: 10km, 21.1km and 42.195km

More info: Official Website

23rd Mt. Kinabalu Internation Climbathon 2009

Date: 24~25 October 2009

Venue: Mt Kinabalu

More info: Official Website

2009 Klang Centro Community Run
Date: 11 October 2009
Time: 7.45am
Venue: Centro
Distance: 6km
Closing date: 30 September 2009 or First 3000 entries
More info : Klang Pacers




The North Face 100
Date: 24 October 2009
Venue: MacRitchie Park, Singapore
Categories: 100km Solo (By invitation only), 100km Duo & 50km Duo
Closing Date: 25 September (online)
More info : Official Website

Mizuno Wave Run 2009
Date: 25 October 2009
Time: 7.30am
Venue: Stadium UPM, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Distance: 10km
Closing Date: 12 October 2009 or first 4000 entries
More info : Pacesetters

Great Eastern Women 10km
Date: 1 November 2009
Closing Date: 6 September 2009
More info: Official Website


Penang Bridge International Marathon 2009
Date: 22 November 2009
Venue: Queensbay Mall
Distance: Fun Run, 10km, 21km and 42.195km
Closing Date: 22 October 2009
More info: Official Website

Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2009
Date: 6 December 2009
Start Point : Esplanade Drive, The Esplanade Bridge
End Point : St Andrew’s Road, The Padang
Distance: 10km ~ 42.195km
More info: Official Website




2nd Putrjaya International 12 Hour Walk 2009
Date: 12(2000 hr)~13 December 2009 (0800 hr)
Venue: Dataran Putrajaya
Closing Date: 1 December 2009
More info : Official Website

Adidas King of The Road - Bib Collection

I was at Shah alam stadium today to pick up my bib and running vest. It wasn't too hard to find the Shah Alam stadium but I had to make one big round as the earlier place that I stopped was actually the back entrance of the stadium.

There wasn't any queue when I reach the bib collection centre. I saw the counters, so walked right in but the some personnels stopped me and directed me to another place. At first, I thought they were directing me to the correct collection table. Found out that table was just another registration counter for some other runs (I think. Didn't bother to see what was it). The lady at the sitting directed me to walk in the entrance next to her. There, I saw it, it's a zig zag entrance system that you sometime see in warehouse sales, but the only difference is that there's pratically no queue. Maybe they were just testing out their lines. I just jumped over the lines getting myself to the counter. Idiots. Easy way to clear your "short" queue, tidak mahu, still ask people to go zig zag around the line to reach the counters! Nothing wrong with having this system set up, but use it when there's actually a queue lah! I was the only one picking up the bib at moment in time.

Well, can't believe there are some running vest sizes which ran out of stock. But luckily they have M size for me this time. L was out of stock. I think majority runners are either M or L. I just thought the organiser is pretty naive in this area, although it isn't the first time they organise this.

Anyway, I'm quite happy with the quality running vest that they gave out. A lot better than the "Reebok" ones given by the SCKLM and Shape Run. Nothing against brands, I love Reebok. I use to buy a lot of Reebok apparels and shoes. My first racing flat is a Reebok. Served me pretty well.

This is the running vest given. Not bad ya?

This is what I'll be wearing this Sun. Since organised by Adidas, give them face, I'll wear Adidas lah.

Not expecting much from this run. Have not done long runs since SCKLM, so will try to push as hard, but if I run out of steam, will just treat it as long run then. Got to start training for Melbourne Marathon. For those who doesn't know yet, yeah, I've signed up for Melbourne Marathon on Oct 11. Actually signed up before SCKLM race day. Now kinda regretting signing up for full. Torturing!

More info on the event:

1. Melbourne Marathon Facebook

2. Official Website

And oh, watching Tour De France for past 3 weeks, well, it kind of rekindle my spirit to cycle again. So my cuz in Australia helped me sign up for Around the Bay In a Day Ride, Oct 18 (a week after the full). Well, I've always wanted to feel how is it like to ride with a big bunch of riders (thousands of them for this one). There's option of 50km, 80km, 100km, 210km and 250km. I'll be doing the 210km via Sorrento (with Ferry) Link

Find out more on the event from this Site

I know it's going to be tiring, riding 210km, only a week after running a full marathon. Anyway, will take it as a leisure ride, but I better start riding long again.

Kind of expensive to take part in both events, but, it's those once a lifetime opportunity to take part in these big events, while I'm in Melbourne.

Happenings in F1!

First, we heard the news that BMW is quitting F1, exiting as a team and engine supplier at the end of 2009. We already had Honda quitting this season and Brawn GP taking over. This season they are doing extremely well. So who's taking over BMW? Sauber? Or could it be Petronas?

Then this. We already had Lance Armstrong making a comeback at 38, now we have Schumacher coming back at 40! This is going to be exciting!

"Michael Schumacher will make a shock return to Formula 1 to replace injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa

The seven-time world champion retired at the end of 2006 but will drive at the European Grand Prix on 23 August.

Ferrari said the 40-year-old will stand in for as long as Massa is sidelined by the serious head injuries he sustained in Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying.

"For team loyalty reasons I can't ignore this unfortunate situation," said the former Ferrari driver.

His spokesman Sabine Kehm had told the BBC on Tuesday that although Schumacher - who was working as a consultant for Ferrari - was not willing to make a full-time return to F1, he would not rule out standing in for Massa.

And the German racing legend has now decided to come out of retirement and make a sensational return to the sport.

"It is true that the Formula 1 chapter has long been closed for me," added Schumacher, who won five world titles for Ferrari.

"The most important thing first: thank God, all news concerning Felipe is positive and I wish him all the best again.

"This afternoon I met with team principal Stefano Domenicali and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and together we decided that I will prepare myself to take the place of Felipe. "As the competitor I am, I also very much look forward to facing this challenge."

Schumacher has not driven an F1 car since April 2008 and competed in the last of his 249 grands prix in October 2006. And the most successful F1 driver of all time now has slightly more than three weeks to prepare himself for the European Grand Prix in Valencia.

The ban on in-season testing means Schumacher will not be able to turn a wheel of the 2009 specification Ferrari before first practice on Friday 21 August.

Nevertheless, the team have chosen Schumacher - who won 91 grands prix in a glittering career - ahead of reserve drivers Marc Gene and Luca Badoer.

"Ferrari intends to entrust Michael Schumacher with Felipe Massa's car for as long as the Brazilian driver is not able to race," read a team statement.

"Michael Schumacher has shown his willingness and in the next few days he will undergo a specific programme of preparation at the end of which it will be possible to confirm his participation in the championship, starting with the European Grand Prix."

There are six more races to go after Valencia, including trips to Belgium, Italy, Singapore and Japan.

Schumacher will undergo an intensive training programme to determine whether he is fit enough to return to the rigours of F1 racing.

Since retiring from the sport, Schumacher has occasionally taken part in motorcycle events but in February he suffered neck and back injuries in a motorbike accident.

Those injuries could affect his ability to drive an F1 car, with huge pressures placed on the neck because of the varying G-forces.

Massa could be out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on a fractured skull sustained when a spring from Rubens Barrichello's Brawn hit him on the helmet when he was travelling at more than 160mph during qualifying in Hungary on Saturday.

The Brazilian is set to leave intensive care and is making progress, although there is also concern about damage to his left eye.

Schumacher is close to Massa, who was his team-mate in his final season, and has taken a close interest in the Brazilian's career.

BBC Radio 5 Live F1 commentator David Croft believes Schumacher is coming back partly because of that close relationship.

"I think he's coming back because it is to replace Felipe Massa, temporarily. He is very close to Felipe, they've had a great relationship over the years," stated Croft.

"I think it's his way of doing something to help Felipe, and doing something to help Ferrari at the same time, because if you look at the alternatives Ferrari had, they weren't really alternatives.

"Who else is there who could come into Ferrari and hit the ground running, who knows the car, who knows the team, who could give them a podium?

"The European Grand Prix, which was not one we were looking forward to at the start of this year, has now got a real spice to it.

"Lewis Hamilton against Michael Schumacher for the first time ever? Jenson Button up against Michael Schumacher? How will Kimi Raikkonen respond? It's going to be fascinating."

SCHUMACHER'S F1 RECORD
1991: Makes F1 debut for Jordan, switches to Benetton
1992: First Grand Prix win (Belgium), finishes third in the championship
1994: Wins first world title with Benetton, winning eight races
1995: Retains world title, winning nine races
1996: Joins Ferrari
1997: Finishes season second but is disqualified from championship
1999: Breaks leg at Silverstone when leading world championship
2000: Ends Ferrari's 21-year wait for a world title, winning nine races
2001: Retains world title, again winning nine races
2002: Quickest ever world title win, with 11 race wins
2003: Breaks Juan Manuel Fangio's record of five world titles
2004: Wins seventh and final world title
2006: Retires at the end of the season
2009: Announces comeback to fill in for injured Felipe Massa"

- Source: BBC UK Sport

Tour De France 2009

Photo below: F.Pellizoti (Polka Dot Jersey), T.Hushvod (Green Jersey), A.Contador (Yellow Jersey) and A.Schleck (White Jersey)


The just concluded Tour De France saw Alberto Contador (Spa) claiming his second Maillot Jaune-yellow jersey. The tour started with questions over who is the leader of the Astana team. Is it Contador or is it Armstrong (Usa)? In the end, the exceptional performances by Contador answers it all. The win on Stage 15 at Verbier in the Swiss Alps virtually sealed his victory and a second victory in Stage 18 - Annecy (Individual Time Trial) put him in an unassailable lead and finally the yellow jersey win. Despite the controversy surrounding Contador's performances, I still he is damm good rider overall.






Andy Schleck (Lux) tried to pile on the pressure on the infamous Mt Ventoux stage but his effort came in vain as Contador all his surges. Schleck finished 2nd in the GC and also claimed the white jersey - best young rider. He appears to be the only one who can challenge Contador throughout the tour. Watch out for him next year, he says he is coming back stronger to grab the yellow jersey.

The much anticipated comeback in sport, Armstrong, did well to finished 3rd and was looking good on the climbing stages too. However, he too, could not stop his compatriot, Contador. Armstrong came close to claiming the yellow jersey from Fabian Cancellara (Swi) but was just 0.02 slower when the Astana team won the team time trial in Stage 4.

Mark Cavendish (Gbr) won the final stage - Champs-Elysees and claims his 6th stage victory (a record). However, he lost the green jersey to Thor Hushvod, as points he gained from Stage 14 were removed. The organiser deemed he pushed Hushvod too close to the barrier during the sprint. But 6 stage wins prove Cavendish is the best sprinter in the world!




The polka dot jersey - mountains classification was won by Franco Pellizotti (Ita). He went on an attack alone on the the 2 runaway leaders at Mt Ventoux stage but ran out of steam and was caught by the yellow jersey group near the end. He could have capped his polka dot jersey with a win at Mt. Ventoux.



No chance of seeing Contador being in the same team with Armstrong in 2010, as the American will be racing for the US-sponsored team, RadioShack. Contador don't seem to be interested at all to race for RadioShack. I think it's better that way. Having to co-leaders in the same team are just not good. Anyways, the war of words between the two continues after the tour came to a close (look at Armstrong in the photo! Haha!).

Shape and Men's Health Run (25 July 2009)

Shape and Men's Health Run
Precint 3, Putrajaya (8:00pm)
Distance : 11.41KM by YS Lee GPS kok

Arrived at the starting area quite early, more than an hour plus before the start time. Hang around the area chit chatting with some friends. There were quite a few activites around the area. Also, a lot of sponsors setting up their booths with some giving out free samples.

I did a little warm up just before going into the "cage". I made my way to the front as i don't want to get stuck and losing a few mins going through the crowds. I wasn't too sure how I was going to perform, as I hurt my calfs slightly from training. I was trying to do speed drills and speedwork in the week leading to the race. I had a weird feeling about my strides, guess it started after KL Towerthon. It seems like my left leg is not pushing as hard as my right and sometimes my strides are not going on a straight line. Keep knocking my foot against my own ankle. That's why I did the speed drills and speed workouts, but I won't do it on tar roads anymore as it is hurting my calfs and do not want to risk injuries, especially the knees. Not getting younger anymore. Will need to find softer grounds to train on after this.

Even it was a night satrt, I can still feel the humidity, guess it was going to be tough for everyone. The start was a fast one. After a minute, the leaders are already way ahead of me. I just try as hard to stay close at a distance but soon, can't "smell no smoke". I was just trying to keep a fast pace. I waqs happy that I managed to overtake Naresh and Cecil. Both were way ahead of me. Overtook Naresh first after the the hill at PICC, then Cecil (I think he wasn't in good form as normally I won't be able to get close to him). There were about 4-5 runners who overtook me during the run, but managed to overtake them back except for one. He just went faster and faster. Tried to push on my pace after crossing the final brigde and saw the final 2km mark, but I wasn't getting any closer. Crossing the finishing line, my watch time stopped at 47'44 and the guy gave me a card that read 14 (Position). Well, it's better than finishing 11th!

Quickly, I went to collect my sausages (pic), drinks and goodies bag before it gets too crowded. Then went for a change of clothes. I felt quite fresh after the run (unlike most races), makes me wonder whether I was pushing hard enough or it was run at night? But definitely, I will need to add in my speedrills & speedwork to correct my strides and improve my speed. Need to add in some strength training too. Mmh..maybe I should use the Clark Hatch 1 week free trial to use their gym equipments. Got a Clark Hatch near my place. Anybody interested to join me?

My sis took part in a 7.7km run as well and she did well to finish it. She wasn't sure she could before the start of the race. We went for supper at Sri Petaling spending some time at Putrajaya. Reached home only at around 1am. After my shower, I was trying to catch the recorded Stage 20 of Tour De France on the same night. It's the infamous Mount Ventoux stage and really want to find out how the stage went. After a while, I was like dozing off...so decided to go to bed and continue it tomorrow.

Here are some results compliment from pm1 and from friends:

Men Open Result :
45'16 - Jasni Khairil (10th)
47'44 - Khoo Yit Kiat, Pm28 (14th)
48'25 - Naresh Kumar, Pm37 (18th)
48'20 - Lionel Lee (20th)
00'00 - Ben Swee, Pm50 (23rd)
49'51 - Cecil Cheong Chee Liong (25th)
49'56 - Ronnie See, Pm1 (26th)
50'30 - Hamidon Mat Aris (27th)
48'51 - Rozmi Bin Yunus (30th) Late start
51'00 - Tang Wern Tien (32nd)
52'12 - Raymond Ng, Pm48 (36th)
52'22 - Stanley Cheong, Pm53 (37th)
52'40 - Chen Keat Hoong, Pm8 (40th)
53'21 - Kenny Tan, Pm27 (42nd)
53'33 - Mohd Azali, Pm46 (47th)
53'55 - Thurai Sarasaidy (50th)
54'29 - Brian Lee (54th)
55'35 - Lee Weng Khong, Pm35 (73rd)
56'02 - Abdul Azri (75th) Last Medal!
57'17 - Hong Zi Shen (82nd)
58'15 - Hasrul Sham
59'10 - Ryan Teoh, Pm17
60'31 - Ghejanthran
60'35 - Wong Kei Ming, Pm55
61'28 - Frank Chong, Sub Pm6
62'02 - Khairol Faisal
64'33 - Tan Kean Peng, Sub Pm5
67'55 - Dinesh Kumaran, Pm4
68'25 - Zulazlan Shah, Pm43
69'00 - Lawrence Law
69'29 - Lai Fong Sang, Pm38
71'35 - Chan Kah Yen
76'00 - Tan Ooi Keat

Men Junior Veteran :
50'21 - Daniel Tan (9th)
56'23 - Tay Poh Chye (30th)
56'57 - Adam Loh, Pm29 (33rd)
58'01 - Choi Chik Choy, Pm42 (43rd)
59'59 - Loke Shu Sun (62nd)
60'33 - Lee Yee Sum (64th)
63'00 - Kelvin Ng, Pm2
65'00 - Phooi Rong Vei
00'00 - Vincent Wong, Pm10 (00th)
00'00 - Loke Shu Sun (00th)

Women Open :
68'00 - Yong Su-Mei (26th)
73'01 - Nik Raiha
00'00 - Chek Yin Huay (68th)
77'00 - Carrie Teong (80th)
81'50 - Julie Wong (00th)
00'00 - Lee Yee Hua, Pm51 (00th)

Check out the contents of the goodies bag. The one on the lower left looks interesting!