AK Balloon Run 2016

• 28 August 2016
• Main Entrance @Avenue K, Kuala Lumpur   
• Flagged off at:-

           7.30a.m. for 7km

7.40a.m. for 5km

• Price – RM58.30 (inclusive of admin fee of RM3.30)
• Race Pack –Pink t-shirt, drawstring bag and registration bib
• Goodies – Medal, 4 balloons, vouchers

I decided to join this run as the venue of this run is very near to my home and I will be running in front of my home. How’s that!!! Best thing is you will be running with balloons and toilets are easily accessible anywhere.

I walked to the venue at 6.40a.m and went straight to the redemption counter to collect the balloons. Each runner was given 4 balloons. The rule was simple, run with the balloons and you must complete the run with 4 balloons, otherwise there is a penalty. For example, you finish your run in 1 hour and if you pop 1 balloon, 10 seconds penalty will be added to your finishing time, i.e. 1 hour 10 seconds.

I tied the 4 balloons to my waist and it was sticking out at my buttocks. After collection of balloons, we were asked to go to the starting line, given a pink ribbon (which I put it around my neck) and were asked to do simple exercises as a warm-up. There were so-called celebrities as emcees and leading the warm-ups but have to say, I don’t know them at all and they didn’t appeal to me.        

Check out the balloons at my buttocks

We were flagged off early at 7.25am. OMG, it was difficult to run with stupid balloons right at your back as you need to be gentle not to pop any of them. Some runners decided to throw the balloons on the road and into the dustbins nearby.

It was very nice weather and the run was very pleasant, running in the city along Jalan Ampang, Jalan Sultan Ismail, running to the clubbing area, i.e. Beach Club and out to Pavillion Mall, passing by Pullman KLCC, high-end condominiums along Jalan Stonor and Jalan Binjai, e.g. Troika and Corinthian, and back to Jalan Ampang again. 

Route map

Reached my home

There was only 1 water station in front of Pavillion Mall. The organiser served mineral water. We were given another pink ribbon (which I put around my neck with the 1^st ribbon) in front of 1A Stonor condominium. What are the 2 ribbons for? I don’t know…….

Upon arrival, we were given a bottle of mineral water and medal. I managed to finish the 6.5km run (according to Rinnie’s app) in just less than 50 minutes. Guess what? Our numbers were recorded by several marshals along the run and recorded again when we finished. We were not informed of any penalties for not having 4 balloons and not informed of the reason for having the 2 pink ribbons. Hmmmmmm………….defeating the purpose of running with balloons!

There were cash prizes and vouchers to be won for each category. There were games sessions, e.g. questions and answers to win vouchers and lucky draw, which we couldn’t be bothered to participate in. Instead, we were playing with the “recording live” on Facebook and snapping pictures with more balloons and the KLCC Twin towers. Upon completion, most runners just dumped their balloons on the street of Jalan Ampang and I saw some people popping them. The organisers will have had a tough time clearing Jalan Ampang before the road opened again.   

Check out the pictures below:-

Our balloons

Showing off our medals

Pink medals

I didn't pop my balloons

More balloons

Our medal in front of KLCC

Magical Forest Charity Run 2016

• 29 May 2016
• Taman Botani Shah Alam
• Flagged off at 7.15a.m. for 7 km
• My category – 7km
• Price – RM69
• Race Pack – Black/Green T-Shirt, vouchers, black drawstring bag, registration tag, a box of Fitbar cereal energy bars, Sun-Maid raisins, MR DIY pen
• Goodies – Leaf medal, apple, a packet of Mamee, Fitbar cereal energy bar, biscuits and mineral water upon finishing the run 

Steve and I left home at 5.50a.m. and arrived at the parking lot of Taman Botani at 6.35a.m. and managed to find a nice parking spot in front of the entrance to the run. Since we were early, we decided to sit inside our car and went over to the starting point at 7a.m.

My new and expensive Adidas Ultra Boost

We were flagged off at 7.20a.m sharp. This time the route that they used was the opposite way round from the Lunar Run 2016. A lot of people were shocked with the route as they did not expect it to be so hilly. When going up the hill, we walk and ran when downhill.

There were 2 water stations; one at 2km and the other at 5km and the organiser served mineral water and isotonic drinks.

While running, there are nice greeneries and a small lake. Also, you get to take pictures with fairies and pixies and some dressed up animals.

Steve ran all the way from beginning till the end and finished at 41 minutes. I managed to finish it in just an hour. 

When we arrived at the finishing point, we were given our medal, goodies, mineral water and apple. You can help yourself with cendol and Chocomex chocolate drinks. We also sign up as guests to FRIM and received a pen and cloth bag.

There was a lucky draw but we decided to leave for our morning breakfast of roti canai & tosei at the mamak store in Shah Alam and then after 1^st round, to Klang for bak kut teh.  

It was worth it for the money we paid and the organiser did a good job. 

Check out the pictures below:-

Bottled Hope Run 2016

• 23 April 2016
• Padang Merbok, Kuala Lumpur
• Flagged off at 5.45pm for 7km
• Category Women Open. No time limit.
• Price - RM53.00
• Race Pack -  Blue T-shirt, a bottle of mineral water and a bib
• Goodies - Medal, Banana, Mineral Water

The haze was back and it was about to rain heavily. I was also ill. Should I go for the run? I already signed up for it, no choice, run in the rain then…….

My husband dropped me off at Padang Merbok around 4.45pm and at that time; it was raining cats and dogs. Luckily, I brought my poncho, put it on and start walking to the reception/starting point area, where I met up with Anne and Rinnie.

Inside the car with poncho. About to walk under the rain......

Eventually, the weather was kind to us and the rain stopped at 5.15pm. Everyone gathered at the event area and we were asked to do some zumba as warming-up. Then we proceed to the starting line and we were pretty close to the front.

We were flagged off at 5.45pm. After running for approximately 3km, I arrived at the 1^st and only water station. The organiser served mineral water.

The route was around Bank Negara, Aswara and Bukit Tunku (where we managed to see some nice houses) and was slightly hilly.

The best thing about this run this time, was I didn’t need to go to the TOILET!!

Upon arrival back, we were given a banana and were asked to go and take our mineral water bottle and medal.  I managed to finish the 7.3km run in 1 hour 3 minutes.

After resting about 10 minutes, Rinnie and I decided on a cone of ice-cream. There were lucky draws but we felt that we were never lucky so decided not to wait for it. There were also popcorn stores but we needed to pay for it, so didn't bother. 

Our ice-cream that costs RM 2

Check out more pictures below:-