FTAAA/PACESETTERS 4 x 3 KM ROAD RELAY ‘04

In Malaysia, there are only a few road relay (i.e. team) events being held.  Therefore, there are not many opportunities for road runners to participate as teams and experience the thrills and suspense of team stragedy, teamwork and to foster team spirit.  Amongse the very few events publicized are the Penang Round The Island Road Relay, Penang Round The Houses Road Relay, MMAA (formerly MAVA) Road Relay, FTAA/Pacesetters Road Relay & the one occasion MMAA Sports Carnival Road Relay.

 It should be an honour for the runners to be selected to represent KLAVA.  This is especially so if they finished amongst the top teams and prize/medal winners.  In reciprocate, the association will gain good reputation and publicity.  For example, all the participating teams in Penang knows KLAVA.  Even the current champion team – “Old And Young” are cautious of KLAVA based on the feedbacks I received!  Owing to the very few team events organized, we should make it a point to participate in them wherever possible.  Having said that, even though the FTAAA – 4 x 3 km road relay men’s veteran category is for 35 years and above, as sportsmen, we would still participate. 

 However, the undersigned have made known verbally to the organizer  - Pacesetter’s president that this is not the norm for men’s veteran.  (The Pacesetter’s president has informed the undersigned that they’ll at least look into a separate category for men’s senior veteran, 50 years and above, in future).  They should do something ‘cos the veteran team respond is very good.  ‘It was a good thing that we participated’   cos the results this year again proved that we are able to compete amongst the best in spite   of the age handicap.  Of the 3 men’s team we entered, 2 of them were among the top 8 medal wining teams.  Even our 3^rd team managed 11^th placing among the 23 teams who completed the race.  (A total of 32 men veteran teams registered).

 The response for the women’s veteran participation were in contrast, very poor. 

Hence our one women team easily finished fourth, out of a total of 5 teams.  For more information, please refer to the attached official results as posted in the internet.  The past results have shown that our teams have performed quite well. 

 Also, the team members continue to forge greater team spirit and understanding.  I hope this can be, maintained or improved further.  Congratulations to the KLAVA winners and thanks for all those participating KLAVA members.

 REPORTED BY : EDDY CHOO