So my wife completed her first official run yesterday, the Energizer Night Run 2011 at the Sepang Formula 1 Circuit.
Since running isn’t really my thing, I went as cameraman (and driver).
First off, a few of my friends were running in different races, but due to logistics we went separately and we didn’t get to meet up with most of them due to the sheer number people there – 10,000 participants, plus thousands of spectators and crew members.
This was my first experience going to the SIC, but first impressions were pretty poor. There was a HUGE traffic jam getting into the parking area, all caused by only 1 guy collecting money for parking. RM10 for parking. What a rip-off! But whatever, it was quite near the entrance.
Still bright and early. Didn’t really have to park that far.
Walking up to the entrance. I noticed there AREN’T many non-runners here… hmmm.
For the flag off, I stayed at the grandstand to take pics.
Got to sit right at the start / finish line. Wonder how much this seat costs on F1 race day.
First off the blocks were the 42k (full marathon) runners. It was slightly later than scheduled, no thanks to some VIP making an inane speech while all of them were raring to go. Peter’s probably
somewhere in there. Btw congrats on winning 3rd place!
Then it was the 21k, where both Patrick and Boone ran. The race was preluded by a cheerleading performance by a sponsor team, unfortunately it was performed in darkness and no one saw a damn thing, least of all the runners who weren’t in the front row.
Then it was the biggest group, running the 11k (2 laps round the track). They took off to some fireworks, which was quite cool.
Lastly it was the 5.5k runners to flag off.
Soon after that some runners (probably the 42k) started to complete a lap before going outside the racetrack.
This is the view of the other side of the track, the runners with their headlights on.
After the all the races had started I went down to the carnival area (not much of a carnival, except I got to watch a bit of Transformers 1).
One final pic with MY and WY after the race.
Overall, my wife and friends ALL had horrible things to say about the organizing of the event, Boone even called it the worst he’s seen. I have to agree, it was a huge letdown. But all in all, for my family it was on overall a fun experience.
14 Comments
Pat
Sorry it turned out to be an unpleasant experience! Most races are not like this, I can assure you.
simon
actually kinda enjoying all the flame comments on the ENR FB page. I guess there isn’t gonna be a happy post mortem meeting tomorrow…
Boone
I spent more than an hour around midnight last night going through most of the comments from the FB site, it does appear that the Event Organiser was different from last year, and they are largely the cause of the chaos. Seems like the charging of the RM10 for parking may have been unlawful too.
Anyhow, it appears that me and my gang were mostly unaffected mainly because we didn’t care and focused on enjoying the race, the fine company and the wonderful hospitality offered by the BAT lounge (courtesy of my friend Karen from BAT). After all, we also too missed out on the goodies but we made the best out of the chaotic nite.
Thousands of people were very bitter, and I think Peter has the most reason to feel aggrieved, but we looked at things on the bright side (not too many) and I for one will take back many fond memories of this event. I was a little disappointed that I didn’t manage to see you at the track though.
Congratulations Wai Yin on a good first time performance and may you participate in many more races to come. Pat, congrats to a fine effort from you too inspite of all the chaos on the track.
Simon…I Iove the pics and your piece. Hope to see you and your gang present in more future races
simon
actually to be honest i didn’t really have much complaints except the jam and RM parking. Good that u guys chose to be more positive about it all, esp Peter.
Boone
My biggest beef was actually directed at the hundreds of pathetic participants who decided to take shortcuts through all the corners….saving hundreds and hundreds of metres…. I immediately posted on FB slamming these losers, wondering why they bothered to sign up for the race anyway.
Boone
Oh…I just did a measurement of the route and found that it was on 20km….I’m a little more aggrieved now…as my time of 2hrs 22 mins is no longer valid as a personal best for a half marathon.
Even after 2 days, the event keeps finding new ways to kick you in the teeth.
simon
oh wow that sucks man. how can they make a mistake with 1km? its not a short distance. Im pretty sure seasoned runners would be able to tell the diff immediately by their time.
Boone
Well…Peter thinks he only ran 40+km…he too had an outstanding personal best of 3hrs 13 mins for the marathon. Trouble is, it is really possible for us to get these times….if we’re off my 10s of minutes then we’ll know that the run is short.
Since I managed to run 2:28 at the supremely hilly Bukit Jalil Bareno race, I figured that in a flatter route yesterday I could make a better time. I probably would have too if they gave me more road to run…but now we’ll never know, and one night’s work is kinda wasted. Still I’ll check with the others to see if the route I mapped out was correct.
The circuit itself was indeed 5.5km, and the outer perimeter was about 7+km…that’s all very accurate…the only grey areas is the part between the circuit and the outer road, which no matter what cannot give me another 1km.
Boone
I also think that the others are far too worked up about not getting their goodies to be concerned about the distance…..which of course is no longer in the spirit of the run.
mott
wow… well done to your wife for doing her first run! At night too!!!!
After reading all the comments above..it’s true, run for the spirit of it.. not the goodie bag. I remember the goodie bags had rubbish in most of them anyway! I’m going for my first run in 8 years soon… LOL.. wish me luck! 😀
simon
oh hey all the best in the run, its for a good cause right?
mott
Eh.. read that the Energizer CEO (or someone powered up) is refunding every body, and will be managing the medals/certs/etc? Good hur…
Pat
Boone – my GPS recorded 19.88 km. I thought there was something with the watch, but turns out it was right after all. The outside loop seems to be 9 km, inclusive of the run-in to the track.
A memorable experience despite all the chaos. I’ve signed up for KL Marathon 21km 🙂
simon
su kim – yeah it was mentioned in the papers, malay mail and the star. i think its a good move by energizer.