STANDARD CHARTERED KL MARATHON FINALLY DEBUTS IN MALAYSIA!

Having run a few of Standard Chartered Marathons in Singapore, I have the utmost respect for their preparation and overall event management competence.

And now it has finally arrived at our shores! I am so thrilled that this year Standard Chartered will host their inaugural KL Marathon 2009. With bated breath, I am counting to the days to register and have actually started training for it.

Below is the official press release from Standard Chartered:

Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009 Set To Take Off In June With The Aim Of Being Sustainable

RM 350,000 biggest ever cash prize for a marathon in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, 20 January 2009 – The inaugural Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009 is set to place Malaysia on the global map of marathons by being a sustainable event. Following in the footsteps of eight successful Standard Chartered Marathons spanning four continents, the Race offers the biggest prize money ever for a marathon in Malaysia (RM 350,000) with a guaranteed prize pool for Malaysian runners.


Octagon, a division of CMGRP (M) Sdn. Bhd and Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad officially launched Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009, today. The launch was officiated by the Minister of Youth and Sports, YB Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob. Endorsed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009 is also sanctioned by the Malaysia Amateur Athletic Union (MAAU), International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), and the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS).

YB Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri said in his speech,

“Our vision at the Ministry of Youth and Sports is to develop an active, healthy and energetic community. Specifically, we aspire to realise this by making running an accessible sport for all to enjoy.

A world-class, international race such as the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009 lends support to this goal by fostering the spirit of excellence not just among professional athletes but among all Malaysians, from the youngest to the oldest of them.”

Octagon who are specialists in sporting events worldwide, aims to attract 12,500 participants for what is expected to be the marathon of the year. Ivan Brixi, Managing Director for Octagon in Asia, elaborated,

“We aspire for this race to become a race for everyone – professional athletes, amateurs, families with children, corporate and NGO bodies and anyone who wants to be a part of something fun and inspirational.

We have every intention to make this Marathon a sustainable one – both by “greening” it and through the charity element. This means we will do our best to use recyclable materials where possible for the runners’ giveaways and encourage KL to become a car-free zone for the day. Indeed we will do everything in our power to reduce the carbon footprint of this event.

The Race will start from Merdeka Square on 28 June 2009. The route for the marathon will showcase some of the capital’s most famous landmarks, making it an ideal attraction for tourists and out-of-towners.”

Julian Wynter, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad said,

“We are very excited to add KL to the Standard Chartered series of marathons. In all eight countries where we sponsor Marathons, each has created a real buzz amongst the marathon-running community globally and we know that Standard Chartered KL Marathon will be no exception.”

“Standard Chartered Marathons characterise the values and attitudes we believe in and live by every day – having a can-do attitude, the courage to try, and the stamina and determination to go the extra mile, no matter what. They also embody our Right Partner promise to our governments, our communities, and our people – to help our communities grow and prosper.”


Octagon’s goal is to establish the Standard Chartered KL Marathon as the best in the region and to ultimately achieve the Silver and Gold recognition from IAAF within the next 5 years.

Octagon proudly welcomes Standard Chartered Malaysia as the Title Sponsor and MSIG Insurance (Malaysia) Bhd as a Gold Sponsor in the Insurance category. More sponsors will be announced in the coming months.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Standard Chartered Malaysia
Karen R Yap, Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs +6 03 2781 7257
Karen-R.Yap@standardchartered.com +6012 292 6780

For Octagon: Weber Shandwick Malaysia, at 03-7843 3100, or;

Alina Morais amorais@webershandwick.com (017 323 3078 / 03 7843 3125)
Suninthini Ramalo sramalo@webershandwick.com (012 635 6351 / 03 7843 3131)

More information and updates shall be posted in due time.

GREAT EASTERN PACESETTERS 30KM RUN 2009

I was in comtemplation to forego the 30Km race because of an ankle injury. However, the race was just too tempting to miss and the healing process was rather swift. The day before I just experienced slight discomfort on the ankle.


Woke up at 4am to prepare for the race. Somehow was unable to get a good night's rest. Over worried and concern of what might happen if I overuse the injured ankle. A very common runner's trepidation.

Performed all the routine checks and lubing. I was so lubed, all I needed was a wick and I would be a walking candle.

Reached the Bukit Aman carpark at 5am and it was 97% filled! Fortunately I managed to slip into a very nice corner parking slot.

Slipped on my ankle and knee support and waltz to the starting point. Met a couple of regular runners. Chatted with them. Had some courtesy power bar for breakfast.

With a runner mate, Lawrence before starting.

The race commenced 6:15am. As we were given a timing chip, I expected a net time, however, there was no electronic chip detection mat at the starting point. So, I am still wondering what in the timing chip is for since timing is counted as gun time. Ponder, ponder.....

My strategy is to complete the race without injury (cramp, etc) and within the stipulated timing of 3 hrs 30mins. There was no rush as finisher medals were given to all runners who completed the race within the time given.

Before the race, I heard from a reliable source, for the 30km run, there were about 19 hills to scale as this was a new route. YIKES!

Well, I've already committed to the race, do or die was the motto then.

I started slow...then gradually increased to medium pace. The Bukit Tunku route was familiar as I do train around the vicinity once in a while.

However, upon reaching Sri Hartamas, Soho KL and Matrade area...it was so hilly, I had to slow down.

At some point I was pacing with Kelvin Ng and he helped alot with his chatter and banter. Then he left me and left me eating his dust.

At Sri Hartamas, my ankle began to feel discomfort. I prayed to at least let me complete the race in one piece.

Had a courtesy power gel at the Petronas Station in Hartamas. It helped to alleviate my energy. More hills to scale. Paced and chatted with some runners (I apologize because I was already quite jaded and I do not remember any of your names even though all have familiar faces).

The last 5km was a torture as we had to run up the Istana Selangor hill (even the slightest slope of 1 degree is considered wearisome and disruptive to our ryhthm after 25km).

I must thank a runner friend (apologise again I forgot your name) to have paced and chatted till the end.

I had to end in style but my facial expression couldn't resist the crunched and exhausted look.
At least I managed to do a "peace sign"...that was all I remembered....raise your hand to signify you've conquered 30.1km. I managed a 3hrs 20mins completion time. Not a good time but glad to be able to complete the race with absolutely no new injury except the ankle pain.

Flashing the significant finishing sign with a pruny crunched face

Looked like I was about to drop dead

Me looking whacked after completing 30km in pain, but still managed flash a "peace" (more of relieved) sign at the finishing funnel.

The finshing medal which was worth all the effort. Also a surprise for the 30km runners, we were given a very nice dri-fit finisher tee! All the pain went away at that point of time!

PACEMAKERS NEW YEAR 2009 NETWORK RUN

Photos courtesy of Lee Yin Fook and Tey Eng Tiong

Report coming soon.....