Great Eastern 30KM Run 2009

EVENT: Great Eastern 30KM Run 2009
DATE: 18th January 2009
VENUE: Padang A, Lake Gardens
RUNNERS: Shahrizal and Fairul (30km), Suraiyah, Sumarni, Chan, Fuzahir and Javier (20km)

THE run which I practically walked almost a third of the distance and had a female runner for company during the last 4km. Judy from Kelana Jaya was my companion during the most lonely, boring and tiring part of the race, and we chatted all the way to the finish line.

Like me, she was unable to run because of cramps and I was looking to strike a conversation with her to kill the boredom. It was also her first 30km run.

Still chatting merrily as we approached the finish line, several running friends were amused enough to tease us and made comments like "no wonder you took so long to finish" and "eh, you guys went to the shopping complex first?"

Anyway, we achieved our target of finishing the gruelling 30km run, though it took us almost five hours to reach the finish line.

About the race, I considered it the toughest I've ever run. Though the route is different from last year, the hills are still there to torment you, body and soul.

Only this race can made me sing songs, shut my eyes for several seconds while running, and voicing out the anger and regret about signing up for the race countless times.

But it also provided the biggest satisfaction as soon as I crossed the finish line, especially when a lovely finisher T-shirt is also given to 30km runners. Along and Angah, eat your heart out.

By Shahrizal Sanusi