REPORT ON THE PENANG ROUND THE HOUSES ROAD RELAY 2005 17-April

We came, we saw, we conquered! That was what our men senior veteran team did. We took part for the very first time and we won. As I’ve mentioned in previous reports, we have a group of very good runners and inspite of the absence of 2 other fast runners, age above 50 years we still managed first placing. However, it wasn’t an easy victory. Our 4^th runner, Sallehudin was overtaken by Old & Young   Team A runner. However our 5^th runner, yours truly (ahem!) managed to regain back the lead midway and open a gap of approx. 50m. Our team strategy of placing fast runner alternatively with slower runners means that the gap something widened and sometimes narrowed giving the race some suspense and finally…….. the thrill of winning! Our men junior veteran team were also among the podium finisher. We would also have won this category if not for the absence of 6 other faster runners. Due to the last minute withdrawal of our top runner Nanchappan whose father and auntie were sick as informed, we have to field our off-form reserve runner,  he was overtaken near the finish and thus we missed 2^nd placing by 5 secs.

Overall, it can be considered a successful outing. If one were to delve into the history of KLAVA’s participation in this event, from the information gathered, we first took part in the year 1997. It was more of a fun outing at the invitation by Penang Association of Veteran Athletes. The team comprised of a mixture of track sprinter, race walkers and casual long distance runners. Yours truly believe none of the present runners were KLAVA members yet. The next year, 1998, yours truly joined KLAVA and roped in some roadrunners together to form a team for this event. At that time, there was only 1 category for veteran. In the absence of any outstanding runners in our team, we finished 6^th out of 9^th teams. However, due credit must be accorded to our Salehudin and Lim Tham Yan whom otherwise we may have fared worst. Unlike other road races, we realised that our long distance form were not compatible for this event. We were surprised at the speed of the top teams. It was more suited for the track runners i.e. 800m & 1500m specialists. Only the very top road runners can compete. At that time, even Old & Young Team A can only managed 4^th placing! We could only beat their ‘C’ & ‘D’ teams.

 Anyway, that was the beginning of better things to come. From 1999 to 2003, yours truly tried to arrange a team for this event but there was always a clash of dates with local events. Over the years, we recruited more & more good runners. Last year, 2004, inspite of another race date clash (April is a busy season for road races), we managed to form a team strong enough to challenge for podium placing. However, our proposed budget for the trip was turn down during the KLAVA committee meeting. Luckily yours truly managed to get outside sponsor but have to run under their name. Each runner were paid RM100.00 plus another RM50.00 for achieving podium finish  (i.e. top 3 placing). At least our preparations were not wasted & we did well enough to finish runners-up to Old & Young Team A.

 This year, our groups of top runners have grown bigger & we proposed to field separate teams for men senior & junior veteran plus 1 women veteran team i.e. a total of 3 teams. However, our proposed budget was initially objected during the KLAVA committee meeting. After some debate & appeal by yours truly, it was agreed that KLAVA subsidise RM100.00 per runner (exclude entry fee) for 1 team only or alternatively, a total sum of RM 1,400.00 (exclude entry fee) for 2 or more teams (men > 10 person per team / women > 8 person per team). It was a difficult decision to be made for a team manager. Whether to sent only 1 team that have the best chance of winning & sacrifice the other teams participation. This means that some of the runners will be disappointed after all the hard training and looking forward to be a part of the team. The burden was lighten slightly when Tengku Maziah said there wouldn’t be sufficient KLAVA runners to form a women veteran team. For the sake of KLAVA being represented in both men categories, yours truly decided to sent 2 teams & foot the amount shortage himself if no sponsor were available. Our deputy president Mr. Thaneswaran was kind enough to contribute RM100.00 for which we were thankful. Also, Mr. Thaneswaran together with yours truly have approached Adidas & after some discussion & formal letter they have provided the team Adidas singlets & shorts for this event. To show them our gratitude, we  have sent an a write-up about KLAVA participation in this event & a group photo (in Adidas running attires) to Star newspaper. We hope they’ll publish it. Coming back to the issue of some members non participation. On the same day their were 2 other road race in KL offering cash prize. We can understand for some of them because they have a chance to win RM200.00 ~ RM 1,000.00 in these 2 other events.

However some are not team players i.e they preferred to participate in individual events. We have to do something to try woe them to run for KLAVA as their contribution will make a difference of being champion or otherwise (Note: All 8 ‘absent’ runners finished among the top 20 & won cash/trophies in the other 2 events). We should not expect them to come out with their own money when they are contributing their efforts (talent) for the association. It should be a win-win situation. We are not even talking about incentive yet. As for those who have been representing KLAVA, sticking by us faithfully & loyally throughout the years, without whom we would not have achieved all those good results & publicity, its high time we show our appreciation. Yours truly have been repeating this proposition in previous reports but so far nothing concrete has been done since the AGM is approaching, this is an opportunity to plan something for this occasion-present at least some token awards in reciprocate for their outstanding contribution.

There are others clubs and veteran associations out there trying to vow our top runners over. We do not want to lose out as what had happened to out elite KLAVA women athletes. Lastly your truly wish to thank all the runners, supporters & assistants (including Lim Yoke Fooi) for their help & making this all possible.

Reported by: Eddy Choo TEAM MANAGER’S