I was few lucky runners invited by organizer of SCKLM to try the new route for Full Marathon last Saturday.
It started at 4:30 am, same as the actual marathon day start time. We were briefed before the run to pace a 5 hour marathon timing. Easy enough for me, i hope i don’t get bored.
It’s a reverse route from last few years original route, it started from Dataran Merdeka and we ran through Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Bukit Bintang until Jalan Jelatek. We ran passed through KL’s main attraction such as The Petronas Towers, Standard Chartered Bank tower etc for the first 9km.
After 4km, our two mobile stations – serviced by two Honda’s Freed was located every 2km, water and 100plus was served to eight of us.
Mobile water stations along the route for us runners that day
After passing the KL downtown early in the morning, we entered Ampang Elevated Highway (AKLEH) after Jalan Jelatek Bomba Station. It’s about 4km on AKLEH before the u-turn all the way going out into a short stretch of MRR2, about 19km into the run.
The support for this trial run was beyond excellent, we has three police escorts, one ambulance at the very back, two Honda Freed acting as mobile water stations and few marshal on the bike, including Rainer Biemans – SCKLM big boss.
After about 2km running on the MRR2, we entered DUKE Highway. From km21 to km31, it’s a long flat stretch (to me) with a few speed bumps along the way before passing the second toll booth before entering Jalan Kuching.
Not everyday you feel like a Kenyan with Police escort you running.
When we entered Jalan Kuching, it was 2km (31km-33km) into the old route into langgak tunku road, all those nasty hills, Bank Negara downhill and then we turned right running pass Padang Merbok going to the Parliament.
Once on Jalan Damansara going to KL Sentral, you know it will be about 3km to finish line. You need to pass the National Muzium, KTM building, National Mosque, Dayabumi building and continue running strong towards the finish line at Dataran Merdeka. The final 4km would be mental, especially if the sun is out there in full force. Let’s hope for a good cool weather on the race day shall we.
My personal take on the new route that it’s much more better than the previous route, no more the mindless Jalan Tun Razak with all the impatience motorist, no more jammed Sentul road etc. View on the DUKE highway would be scenic with KL skyline on the site, great for photos or selfies moments, for those not running for time.
35,000 runners with about 5,000 runners running the Full Marathon for 2014 edition of SCKLM will be happy with the new route and I could see many happy runners break their PB/PR this coming October.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE.
Official press release: Kuala Lumpur’s most iconic long distance running event has a new route for the second time in six years
Kuala Lumpur, 6 September 2014 – For the second time in six years, the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2014 will have a new route to test runners’ endurance and skills on more elevated roads.
Scheduled to be held on Oct 12, participants will start and finish as usual at Dataran Merdeka. However, the new route will take them along the Duta-Ulu Klang Highway and the Ampang Elevated Highway instead of the previous years when they ran mainly on city roads.
With the anticipated increase in the number of participants this year, the new route will be an added impetus to participate in the event, apart from helping it to stay ahead of the growing number of marathon events in Malaysia.
Rainer Biemans, Director of Dirigo Events, event owner and organiser of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon, said there were several considerations when designing the new route.
“Our first consideration is always the safety of our runners. When designing the routes, we looked into various ways of leading runners onto roads that presented the least traffic hazards.”
“We also look into providing our runners with the best experience and therefore aimed at maintaining as much of the scenic landmarks such as the Kuala Lumpur Twin Towers, KTMB Station Kuala Lumpur, the National Monument and the Kuala Lumpur High Court to name a few.”
“Running on elevated highways means that runners get to enjoy the rare experience of a bird’s eye view of the city skyline plus traffic is more manageable and we are optimistic that the runners will enjoy the experience,” he said.
He also said special attention was paid to the Jalan Raja Laut and Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman turns, so collisions and congestion between Full Marathon and Half Marathon runners returning and 10km, 5km runners heading to their start points could be avoided this year.
Being the sixth edition and one of the longest-running marathons in the country, the new route is also believed to help further increase the number of participants.
“We have grown from 33,800 last year to 35,200 as of Sept 1, 2014 and we are confident the new route with the highways, will be able to take on that number during the event.
“As the event organiser, our efforts have always been channelled towards making the race better and for our runners to constantly experience something new. I believe we have achieved this once again with the new route,” Biemans said.
Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia’s Managing Director and CEO, Osman Morad, said the new route will be challenging, but he believed the Standard Chartered KL Marathon runners are Committed, Confident, Courageous, and they are up to the challenge.
“I hope this will be an exciting run, one that will stretch the participants in achieving their goals. I wish them a fun and safe experience!”
GEAR USED:
- Salomon Sense Mantra Shoes
- Salomon Exo Calf
- S-Lab Advanced Skin 1 Belt Set
- Salomon Short
- Garmin 910XT
- Optic Nerve Sunglasses
Photo: YKK
Joined the media/bloggers on a special bus SCKLM route tour after the trial run
Photo: Max Lim
Playing tourist in KL
Photo: Marlina
Wearing the latest Optic Nerve Sunglasses, model Vapor 2 will be available in the market next year.
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