Race Report: Hat Yai Nature Run 2010

Location: Prince of Songkla University , Hat Yai, Thailand

Date/Time: 8th August 2010

Category: Half Marathon (M35-39)

Bib: 35 024

Distance: 20.72 km (by Garmin FR405)
Timing: 1'47:08

Average Pace: 5:10 min per km

Rank: Over 10 in M35-39, about 105 overall

My first race in Thailand. As the name "Nature Run", we really run in the nature enviroment from 6 km to 15 km, surrounding by rubber estate and the killing hilly road.

Started run up to the hill from 6 km at 35 m above sea level to 7.8 km at 115 m above sea level, then all the way down hill to the U-turn point at at 10.35 km with 25 m above sea level, run reverse route back again, the second uphill was really killing, run with almost 8:00 ++ min pace, and almost give up.

Drink stations every 2 km, served water, without isotonic drink, traffic control very well, Thai driver are very patient while waiting for runners across the road, not like what happend during SCKLM, many local driver always horn while we run across the road.

After U-turn from 10.35 km and run up to the hill, I estimate I shall able to finished the race with 1:48, after turn out from the "nature route" and run all the way back, overtook some 10km runners, turn in to the Prince of Songkla University, run a bit uphill until the roundabout, turn left and towards finishing line, as my estimation, finished with 1'47:08.

Many food and drink at the finishing, got porridge, koay teow goreng, bihun goreng, soya bean, leong fun, Thailand style 油条, watermelon. Eat a lot as recovery meal. Hat Yai Nature Run, really a good event, I'll run again in 2011.....

The 21 km route

The hilly route elevation

LLC runners at the finishing...

Race Report: 1 Malaysia National Charity Run

Location: Dataran Tanjung Emas, Muar, Johor
Date/Time: 1st August 2010 @ 6:30 am
Category: A - Men's 21km
Bib: A 21071
Distance: 20.34 km (by Garmin FR405)
Timing: 1'40:11
Average Pace: 4:55 min per km
Rank: 26th


My first ever race in the town/state (Muar, Johor) where I born and grown...

Don't know why the organizer change the starting time from 5:30am Malaysia time to 5:30am Thailand time, don't know and also don't want to know.

Rain before and during strating of the race but not heavy, nice and cool weather, fresh air after rain in the early morning.

From Tanjung Emas run across Sg Muar towards Melaka direction and U-turn back to Tanjung Emas again, totally a new route for me, and also for all Muar runners, I think.

All the way flat, except crossing Sultan Ismail bridge across Sg Muar. Organizer try to created some "man made" hilly route for runners, that is crossing two pedestrian bridge at about 8.8km and 13.7km.

Few drink staions along the 21km route, organizer just prepare plan water for runners, but lucky Camel Marathon Club provided 100 Plus isotnics drink for runners, thanks a lot to Mr Yew and his gang (Camel Marathon Club), you all really Pro Runners, know what runners need during race ....

Thanks to Terrence to pace with me from 7km onwards, and force me run faster, else I think I'll not able to completed with sub-5 min pace....

The 21km route

No pia photo during this race, only this photo with finishing medal snap by Ben Swee.

and nice to meet you, Ben...

with runners from Camel Marathon Club, Muar.