KL Bar Run 2018

• 21 January 2018
• Lake Gardens, Kuala Lumpur
• Flagged off at 7.00a.m. for 12km, 4 runners in a group
• Price – RM220.00 inclusive of GST
• Running Kit – Registration bibs and plastic hammer (collected on race day)
• Goodies – T-shirt, voucher for Garmin products, medal, 2 packets of instant coffee, nasi lemak, a bottle of Milo and mineral water

I knew about this run last year when someone posted on Facebook, but it was too late to join. This year, I managed to get 3 runners and myself from the firm to join. The team consisted of me as the Team Captain (runner no.3), Ryan Wong (runner no.1), Tan Suet Wei (runner no.2) and Jonathan Khaw (runner no.4). We called our team the “Pussycat Dolls” of Azim, Tunku Farik & Wong.

Prior to the actual run, we had been training on and off at the Lake Garden and checking out the route. Also, we attended the Bar Run clinic on 6 January 2018 by Mr. Mark Williams from The Running Plan. This clinic was free of charge and organised by the KL Bar for the runners. Mr. Mark Williams gave us an introduction on how to run, which muscles are being used and how to tie your shoe laces! After the brief introduction, we were brought to a small hill and he made us run up the hills. We ran for 3 km up and down the same hill. He said small steps need to be taken when running uphill and downhill. Also, he said it was not advisable to sprint down hill.

Mr. Mark Williams from The Running Plan

So the moment has arrived. As the team captain and running with my team mates who attended the clinic, I knew that we would not be able to win the race and would not even be top 10 as there were so many good runners during the clinic. I had to change strategy by dressing up and running and trying to win the best prize for fanciest costumes. We were searching for costumes and found old tutus from my dance school, Plaza Dance Academy. We were fortunate to have 3 pink tutus and 1 red tutu.

We arrived at the Lake Garden at 5.50am and registered and received our plastic hammer baton and running chip. We went back to my car to put our tutus on. Panic mode on as the guys and Suet Wei were unable to fit into the tutus. We almost abandoned the idea. Luckily, Ryan came up with the idea as to how to wear the tutus!!

We made our appearance with our costumes during the warm-up session and everyone just turned their head to look at us! I can’t say whether we were proud or embarrassed at this point of time, but we knew we were going to be the WINNER as no one else dressed up.

We were flagged off on time at 7am. Everyone was cheering for their team member, even more when the first runner came back to pass the baton to the 2^nd runner. When Ryan came back, he told us that it was a hilly run all the way up and then down the hill. When you think after the hilly run, you will be able to rest, think again as you will continue to run uphill still and downhill and staircases awaits you. It was not easy at all. He said you can start sprinting when you see the playground.

So, all of us had our fair share of suffering running uphill and each of us finished the race. Each of us clocked around 20minutes for the 3km run and finished the run in 1 hour 28 minutes 27 seconds. We were placed position 91, out of 128 teams.

We hung around after the run, took pictures, collected our nasi lemak and waited for the last team to arrive and waited for the prize giving ceremony as we knew we were going to win. Just waiting for the organiser to make the official announcement.

At last the moment has arrived, the organiser announced the catchy name team first, followed by the fanciest dress costume, fastest runner for male and female and lastly the fastest team. WE WERE THE WINNERS FOR THE FANCIEST COSTUMES. HIP, HIP, HOORAY……

After receiving our trophy and a big can of oats, we left feeling very HAPPY. Although we were not among the fastest teams in the race, at least we did not go back emptied handed.