11 September 2005 - Putrajaya Half Marathon

This is the first ever half marathon race organised in Putrajaya. It is rare that road races organised in Malaysia get things right for runners but this is one that was done right. From the five drink stations supplied with water and isotonic drink, power gel (unexpected and welcomed) and post race food (apple, bun, 250 ml packet drink and boiled egg, good traffic control and race atmosphere. The only 2 flaws in the race organisation were the slightlty delayed start (+5 min) and lack of rubbish bins at the start/finish area.

Ater having done a survey, the route was very familiar to me at least for the first 12 km and then last 4 km. I cautioned Kevin Chow at the starting line about the hilly route.

The starting line was at the Putra bridge. I estimated there was about 1000 runners for the 21 km distance. As the clock went past 7.00 am, the runners became a bit edgy and restless. At about 7.05 am, the race started with a shot from the starter gun. Ahead for 3 km, lay completely flat 3 km road. Eveyone got into their running strides quickly with minimal jostling because of the 3 lane road. Farther away (4 km) lay the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) on top of a hill. We were headed there.

For the first 4 km I ran conservatively trying to conserve strength for the many hilly sections to come. After the first bridge at the 4 km distance, I saw Justin, Jamie and Tey on the opposite road. I picked up a blue ribbon at the U-turn (5 km) to the opposite road. Then a 400 m run uphill towards the very steep run to PICC. I dreaded this section but it did not pose too much problem and I even managed to overtake several struggling runners.

Past the PICC,it was a downhill coast back to a bridge with another uphill section. After another 3 km distance, another bridge to run on. After this bridge came the hardest part, a series of undulating sections (four I think) each about 200 to 400 m long. Somehow I made it through all the uphill sections without too much difficulty. My long runs at the Bukit Aman to Sri Hartamas route (hilly) has certainly paid off.

After the 14 km? distance, I ran with a guy whom I knew by name up to that moment; Bacin a frequent visitor to Azwar's. site. After a some time I could not keep up and I had to run on my own. Draco showed up and after a while he ran past me too. The 16 km mark was not any easier as this section was a 180 degree turn uphill to the main road. I came across Jamie walking, I was tired too and walked for a while with him. Eventually we started to run again but I was eager to try for a sub 2 hr time and ran ahead.

Before reaching the giant roundabout near Putra park, another obstacle; a steep 1 km run uphill to get there. My legs were quite stiff and it was hard to move them. I slowed down to a shuffle with Mr Tan (SIRIM guy) who was shuffling too wearing slippers.

I was relieved when I reached the roundabout. It was only 3 km away from the finish line. The stiffness in my legs dissapeared and I was able to run normally. Now was my push to the finish and I increased my pace to overtake a few tired runners. A quick stop at the 20 km water station and then a left turn to the roundabout. Soon I came to the last 100 m stretch on the Putra bridge and gathered enough reserves to run to the finish line.

Here are my split times:-
4 km ==> 22 min. 38 seconds (5 min. 40 sec/km)
6 km==> 33 min. 19 seconds (5 min. 33 sec/km)
8 km==> 44 min. 32 seconds (5 min. 34 sec/km)
10 km=> 55 min. 54 seconds (5 min. 35 sec/km)
13 km=> 1 hr, 13 min. 53 sec.(5 min. 41 sec/km)
21 km=>2 hr, 04 min. 30 sec (5 min, 44 sec/km)

For some more results, see Ronnie's site.