Ironman 70.3 Putrajaya - POSTPONED!!!!!!

SC KL Marathon 2009

Some of my running friends from Brunei ran the KL Marathon last weekend, competing in the 21K race.

Sefli Ahar (Sifu) - came 7th overall

Naon - complained that the race course was too packed (crowded)

Hassan - fast veteran runner

Tan Siew King - Queen of Shahbandar (Hills) and she's 50

Kak Siti

Zulhassan - Robin Hood Sg Petani :)

There were a lot of bad reviews / comments on the marathon, mostly about the lack of water along the route, especially for 42K runners. Click here for media report of the event.

I hope the organisers will take note of this and be more prepared and organised for next year.

I might join next year, we’ll see......

Anyhow, Tahniah to all my friend who did the marathon. Well Done!!

Labuan Cross Channel Swimming Challenge 2009

I just found out that the registrations for this event have open.

1. Date: 1 May 2009 (FRIDAY)

2. Time : 0700hrs - 1100hrs

3. Venue: Starting / Ending Point

- Labuan International Sea Sports Complex

4. Competition: Distance 5.4 km (2.7 km one way) - From Starting Point & Return

5. Cut-off time: About 2 hours and 30 minutes from the time race Flag-off

6. Category:

Veteran Men (50 and above)

Veteran Women (45 and above)

Men (18 and above)

Women (18 and above)

Boys (13-17 years)

Girls (13-17 years)

Junior Boys (12 and below)

Junior Girls (12 and below)

7. Entry Fee:

Veteran Men / Women RM50.00

Men / Women RM50.00

Boys / Girls RM50.00

Junior Boys / Junior Girls RM30.00

DATELINE : 17 APRIL 2009

For more info and for registration, click here

With the cut-off time of 2hrs 30mins, i'm not so sure i'll be able to complete it within the time limit.

But if it was easily achievable, then it won’t be much of a challenge. I’ll just join and see how far I can swim. Anyone wanna join me????

Triathlon Kebangsaan Ke-3

The Playa, Mr Butterfly and I went to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports to register for the Brunei Triathlon next month and it was free. This is probably the only triathlon event organise in the world with grand cash prizes with no registration fee at all. We are so lucky. Let’s just hope the event will be well organised.

The Playas decided to register for the team relay event and named their team the “Chippendales”. ZM did mention that they might wear the Chippendales’ costume on race day. So please be aware.

There will be cash prizes for all categories from 1st prize being $2,500 and 10th place $100. I really hope I can get a piece of the prize money to help finance my Singapore Ironman trip next month. Amin.

For more info and registration forms, click here

Brunei No. 19 in GROE 2008/2009

With the last race of the Greatest Race on Earth 2008/2009 series held last Sunday in Hong Kong, Brunei Darussalam is placed 19th out of 23 countries in the Men’s Nations Challenge.

Congratulation to all the runners who competed. Next time laju-laju sikit lagi ah.

The last race in Hong Kong was run by my running sifu Sefli Ahar, he ran it in 3 hrs 4 mins. Not as good as we expected, as he clocked a sub 2:40 in Kota Kinabalu last year. He said the weather was cold and very windy, and he threw-up a couple of times during the race. Not used to the weather I guess.

I hope they’ll do a proper selection race (full marathon) this year and not the half marathon they usually do, it’s a totally different ball game.

Mana tau nasib baik tahun ani… :)

Sefli Ahar in KK last year

Second NYC Marathon runner dies

NEW YORK (AP) — Two runners who completed the New York City Marathon have died after their efforts — one shortly after crossing the finish line and the other several hours later.

Police say 58-year-old Sao Paulo resident Carlos Jose Gomes just passed the finish line Sunday afternoon in a time of 4 hours 12 minutes when he complained about feeling ill. He was taken by ambulance to Lenox Hill Hospital, where he died. An autopsy was being conducted Monday.

Richard Finn, a spokesman for the New York Road Runners, says the other man died several hours later. He did not give out any additional information. A call to the city medical examiner's office was not immediately returned.

At least two other runners became ill during the race and had to be hospitalized.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2008-11-02-marathon-death_N.htm

Radcliffe Wins Third New York City Marathon

2 hrs 23 mins 53 secs

NEW YORK — Paula Radcliffe defended her title at the New York City Marathon on Sunday to become the second woman to win the race three times.

"It was tough out there because of the wind - everybody wanted to run behind me," said the 34-year-old after her latest triumph.

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,445965,00.html

Drafting isnt just for cycling, u can also draft when ur running. It helps in terms of wind resistance and by following someone else's pace.

2 hrs 8 mins 43 secs

Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil won the men's race for the second time in three years, passing Abderrahim Goumri of Morocco with about a mile to go.

Its surprising to see a non-african guy winning a big international marathon. Impressive.

Gebrselassie breaks marathon world record

Berlin Marathon 2008

2 hours, 3 minutes, 59 seconds

source: msnbc.com

What more can i say?

This is what he said after the race:

“Today, I’m so, so, so happy. Everything was perfect today,”

Offcourse he would say that, he just set a new world record and bagged himself £39,000 for the victory and the same amount for his world record

Some quick info on "The Man" himself and the Berlin Marathon:

Source: wikipedia.com

Haile Gebrselassie (born April 18, 1973) is an Ethiopian long distance track and road running athlete.

Gebrselassie has achieved major competition wins at distances between 1500 metres and the marathon, moving from outdoor, indoor and cross country running to road running in the latter part of his career.

He has broken 25 world records and won numerous Olympic and World Championship titles, and is widely considered as one of the greatest distance runners in history.

Berlin Marathon

Date: 27/28 September 2008 (usually takes place on the last weekend in September)

Location: Berlin, Germany

Race Type: Road

Distance: Marathon

Established: 1974

Official site: berlin-marathon

Several world records for men and women have been set at the Berlin course (42.195 km), which is known for its flat profile, even surface, a cheering spectator crowd, and its frequently mild temperatures.

This is probably the best race to set your own PB. Will definitely put this in my calendar if im im that part of the world.

Ultra Marathon Runner's legs amputated

Taiwan Ultra-Runner in Coma After “La Trans Gaule”
September 9, 2008 http://trailrunningsoul.com/trs/2008/09/09/taiwan-ultra-runner-in-coma-after-la-trans-gaule/

Sad news from the ultra world. According to several news websites, Chiu Shu-jung, a 51-year-old Taiwanese female ultra runner has had to have both legs amputated after her participation in La Trans Gaule French ultramarathon.

Chiu, nicknamed ‘ultra-marathon mama’, developed blisters during the race which broke on the 16th day - of the planned 18 days race course – but she was able to finish the competition. But then she was diagnosed with septicaemia, a potentially life-threatening infection, and was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Montpellier. There she had her two legs amputated to stop the infection from spreading and remains now in coma.

Chiu, nicknamed "ultra-marathon mama"

It’s always sad to hear bad news, even more if the bad news is about an athlete getting injured or worse amputated. My deepest sympathy for the Ultra-marathoner and her family.

She is one tough lady; she managed to complete the race 17th of the 44 runners even after getting the blisters. And this is not just any race; this is a really extreme ultra.

I hope she will recover soon and hope she will still be able to enjoy the joy of running again some way.

No matter how much you’ve prepared, there’s always a chance that something might go wrong.

So keep safe, train smart and listen to your body.

What’s in La Transe Gaule Footrace ?

• 1150km (715 Miles) solo race across France, from coast to coast
• 18 stages, 18 days
• shortest day: 49km (31 miles), longest: 75km (47 miles), daily average: 63,9km (40 miles)
• supply stations every day at km15, km30 and then every 10km until the end of the stage
• cut-off: 5,5 kmph (3,4 Mph)
• Overall cumulative rankings by adding the times of each stage
• accomodation in gymnasium (bring your own mattress and sleeping bags)
• breakfast included, every morning from 5 AM
• dinners included, all other meals at your own expenses
• Support vehicle and handler(s) allowed
• Organisation : Phare-West Organisation

Are you up for the challenge???