Held on 28 July 2024 at the Ipoh Stadium, I decided to join this race mainly because of Joey. Joey, my good friend whom I did the 100Km together with in Jan, has moved back to her hometown Ipoh.
The registration is online on the Check point website. I paid about RM100 for this race, they have the Malaysian and International category. Malaysian races are no stranger but it is my first time going to Ipoh , had always passed by Ipoh but never had a chance to go into the town.
This time , I opted to take the plane there because I managed to grab a cheap flight from Air Asia at only $107. Although no frills, Air Asia is my favorite budget airline. Somehow, Air Asia has this very friendly and vibrant vibe and the food is rather delicious especially the Uncle Chin’s chicken rice. The flight there was very fast only 1hr. The Sultan Azlan Shah Airport in Ipoh is a very small airport, which I got to know from Joey that it only recently have more flights from Changi. It used to be only Firefly from Seletar airport. Although the airport is small it still have cafe and souvenir shop selling some local specialties.
Ipoh
R&R with Joey at Concubine Alley
Actually the town is very easy to navigate and the airport is only 3km to the city centre. There is also hardly any jams in the city centre. Joey played host this time driving me around and so happen I took the same plane with Tommy and his wife. The first stop was to go to eat, of course you do not come to Ipoh giving the Chicken Hor Fun a miss. We went to Kopi Kaw, it is a cafe selling local fare. Really very nice to enjoy the yummy Ipoh coffee with the Chicken Hor Fun. I checked into my Air BnB at the Horizon. It is maybe the only tall condo in town as I did not see other tall buildings around. Its not bad with a roof top swimming pool cool and breezy. As me and Joey were really not that hungry, we decided that I just go for my massage and call it a day. So I did one foot and shoulder for 1 hr at this place called the Oriental Massage place which Joey recommended. As I finish, I thought I might as well get some necessities here in town and I walked down the road.
My Air bnb at the Horizon
Just as I was doing that, I stumbled to another bigger massage joint called Contend Massage Palour. This shop takes up 2 shop spaces, it is really large. There was one lady standing outside trying to get some customers. So I got swayed and went in for another 1 hr full body. Both massages were cheap , less than $30 sgd for 1hr. I was very happy that the massages were good as I really needed it from all the past weeks of craze, causing some parts of the legs and body really very tired and strained.
Race Proper
All of us at the race start
Starting early at 3:30 am, this is like a Sundown marathon for me. Recent races has always been mostly sundown style. And sad to say I am really quite bad at grappling with sleeplessness. Joey picked us up at 2 plus and end up we were among the earliest to be present at the stadium. Race site was well organised, there was bag drop and being in the stadium meant that toilet facilities were also available for use. However, there was not bathing facilities. There was also bag drop services at the race site.
crowded start line
There were a few other Singaporean friend runners joining us like the very long no see Meng Kiat, Alex and his friends. We all met there as they had a short schedule and more like a touch and go trip for them. However, we managed to catch each other before and after the race for some cameo.
Me and Joey
Race started on the dot at 3:30am, the route was pretty straight and I encountered only 1 slope. There were not many traffic to grapple with as it is very early in the morning. Weather was humid but at least it is not raining.
Every 5 Km there was a water point, but I did not use it as I brought along my hydration , I wore the Nedao 3/4 tights this time and it has pockets to hold the necessities. Took along one Pure gel also which I expended at around 13K. The stations provided 100plus and water only, there were no food or gels, so runners had to prepare themselves. For the 21k, there was one loop to be done before heading back to the stadium , I was really quite blur in the dark. Throughout the whole run, about 2 ladies overtook me, I tried my best to overtake but really couldn’t. I managed to overtake a few guys though. Somehow in the last k I managed to find the charging energy to dash through the finish line. And nowadays don’t know why maybe I get too red or sweaty, the staff or volunteers will always ask whether I am okay or not. One lady handed me potential 4th placing, phew still made it. Then they passed over the medal and finisher medal.
Coming back
Winning as 4th position
One by one the Singapore friends came back. And we all had a few cameo while walking around the race village taking our coconut and milo. There were no food provided but I guess we were all too tired just want to sleep. Joey and Tommy headed back first as the prize giving was quite long way to go. I waited and actually fell asleep while waiting, as they carried out the Lucky draw first. The lucky draw was actually very good. There were many prizes to give away for the lucky draw, including bicycle and TV screens too. The giving out of the prizes was a highlight and everyone was hoping to get it, quite funny to see this final segment carried out.
Overall I did okay 1:52:59 gun time. A little slightly better than the Tri Factor one , but the pains came in and I began to wonder how am I going to do FM like this when only half of it already felt so painful. Oh well, I will leave that to later 😛
R&R moments
Dinner with Tommy , his wife and Joey