Larian MBJB 2014: The Accidental Run

There are rarely runs being organized in Johor, let alone JB. So when there are any runs that being held in JB, usually I just grabbed the chance. In this case it was even though there is no finisher medal on the line.

One of my colleague at work, Rahman had informed me of this race that will be held on the 22nd March. I was quite perplexed because I didn't see any add or announcement in the web. After found out that the event was for the 20th MBJB Anniversary, then it become clear. This is not a runner's oriented run. It is just a government's event.

Tracking down for the running event, I had to perused several websites. The info in the net was so little but enough for us to sign up. The fee is at a paltry RM15, so that got me hooked. Finisher medal is not being given with only the top 50 in each category will get medals. We both registered - I'm in men open and Rahman in men veteran.

One week later, I went to the organizer to pick up the running kit. The t-shirt is a simple white cotton shirt. I was given number 1104. Then I realized something, maybe there is not a lot of people joined this run due to its own lukewarm effort to promote the event. 

The route for men open.

The organizer had put the list of all the runners in every category outside the office. I found out that there are only 146 runners in men open. So my chances to get the medal is about 1/3. What about Rahman? There are only 64 runners in men veteran. With only 14 runners in men veteran that would not get the medal, Rahman chances of getting one is a sure one - especially that I already knew that he is even faster than me.

Only 146 in men open. It was significantly less in men veteran.

On the morning of the run, I drove to the Padang Bandaran JB immediately after Suboh. The roads are pretty clear, but since I drove from Pasir Gudang it was quite a speedy drive. I only arrived at 6.45am, 15 minutes before the run should start.

The grand clock in the morning.

I chose to wear one of my running shirt instead of the T-shirt given. From the experience of the Run Forrest Run a couple of weeks before, I found out that this proves to be the correct decision at the end of this run. It was a cool morning and I immediately have some short run for warming up.

I should expect the unexpected when getting myself in an event such as this. Even though it was informed that the run would start off at 7am, but instead the event actually started with a powerful aerobic exercise warm up.

Powerful warm up.

Powerful - since by the end of the session I was already sweating. And I was only wearing a running shirt. It should be worse if I was wearing the T-shirt.

The aerobic session went on until it was 7.30am. 

The sun already up by then.

And 146 runners are expected to run 12km after this. The heat from the sun already starts to creep in. This certainly would not end well.....

Fortunately after some publicity VIP photo shoots at the front line, we finally took off at 7.45am.

I was at the front of the pack. Immediately I found out that the runners were serious enough to get the medals as I was quickly being left behind. I was quite cautious with my energy exertion since there will be 12km that I need to cover.

The route of this run was quite special as we went through the old and green areas of JB.

The green lung of JB.

All runners still in high energy.

Long narrow roads ahead.

Passed some VIP mansion.

Civilization ahead.

Entering familiar view.

When I reached the divergent between the 10km and 12 km route, the heat really intensified. My running shirt already wet with sweat. What makes it worse is that it was still 5km. There was still 7km on the way.

The 10km and 12km splits.

At that time I just wished that I just gamble along and sign up in the men veteran together with Rahman. There was not a single ID check along the registration process. Some of the runners in the men veteran category does looked young to me, even though it was only my wild guess.

Even though I could soldier on at this stage, I knew my time of slowing down was not too far away. Why? Because even though when I already reached 6km, there was not a single drink stop in sight.

It was at 7km when finally there was a drink stop. It was the only drink stop in the run. They only serve cold water. I took 2 cups. One for my thirst, another I dunked it unto my head. I was really desperate at this time.

Right then when we entered the main road, my suspicion about the inadequacy number of the personnel manning the roads became clear. We were running beside the road while the vehicles wizzing beside us. No cones, no mans helping the runners. Fortunately, nothing happens.

No emphasis on safety?

The truth was at one small junction in the beginning of the race, I even helped to clear the traffic. Amazing what we would consider to do if money was no object. Or in my case - the finisher medal & the timing. I just want to have some fun.

But nothing really prepares me for the dejected feeling when I reached the finishing line.

First, my GPS showed that I had only ran 10km. Even though I'm glad to see the ending, but it was a misleading from the organizer's part. From what I understood, we should entered the finishing line from another road, which should add another 2km.

10km in 1 hour 14 mins. Nothing special but 6 mins above my normal time.

That's a bummer.

Running with me through the finishing line were some school girls that running some 5km and the runners in women open. It was really heartbreaking when you knew that you're better than them but in the end they all receive the medals while I only got the cert. It just doesn't seem to be fair.

And there I was running the longest distance in the event....

Started on the late 7.45am.....

The heat already creeping up......

Without any drinks for 7km....

And they chose to reward me with a useless cert?

What have I got myself into?

But maybe I should just change my game plan next time I want to sign up in the event such like this. You see, all the dreads was a very hellish experience, but it'll go away if only I get the medal in the end.

Err, I think I'll gamble next time.

No price on guessing who got the finisher medal.

 
RUN RATINGS - LARIAN MBJB 2014
Organizer - 1/5
This is a case of a professional team that capable of doing some unprofessional job. They have the access to the roads, have the experts at their own disposal, have the fund to make it great and yet failed miserably.
Kit & Goodies - 1/5
I'm not complaining about the T-shirt. That what I already expected from a RM15 fee event. But only a single drink stop in the race? That seriously very brutal. Since the number of runners was so small, can't everyone just have the medals? (Related to above above problem)
Route - 4/5
The route is exceptional. Until the experience was ruined by the lack of safety precaution along the way. And the heat. And the lack of drink. I could go on.....
Overall Experience - 1/5
I had joined two events this year that clearly was not organized properly with the main attraction was the low fee. I was bummed in both events. Even though I should just quit signing up in these events, but I think just tweaking a little bit of my gameplan should salvage the runs.