|
PENANG ROUND ISLAND ROAD RELAY, 28 NOVEMBER 2004
Eversince our KLAVA team returned as
runners-up from last year’s 2003 event, the undersigned
have been thinking of how we can dethrone the champion
team “Old & Young”. They have been champions for some
years now and it‘ll take an exceptional strong team to
do that. I believe this was also similarly in their
mind when they (O & Y) finished third back in 1995.
Thus; over the years, they’ve built up their teams to
reach where they are now. Most of the Pg’s top veteran
roadrunners are in their team. They even went to the
extend of “importing” a top national veteran runner to
run for them. It seems that this event is a priority in
their calendar. Looking at their enthronage of helpers
and supporters, motorcycles, cars & even lorries to
carry food & refreshments, it seem like they are
participating in the Tour De Langkawi ! Most of the
local or nearby states team also brought along their
helper/supporters in bikes, cars & bus sekolah .
Compare to our KLAVA team – none. Our 3 reserve runners
were fully utilised to ferry the runners, provide
drinks, taking timings & photographs etc.
Hence
the undersigned has also embarked on a mission to
recruit some “elite” runners during the course of the
year and managed to rope in Nanchappan, a top national
veteran runner to be our KLAVA life member. As
mentioned in other team manager’s report, our strength
lies in having quite a balance group of 15-20 runners.
We have an advantage for team relay events comprising of
8 or more runners. This year we thought we can give
them a good fight. Our runners have been informed in
advance to continue training even after the road races
drew to a close come the Deepavali & Hari Raya
seasons. Even our Hindu & Muslim runners were better
prepared this year, especially the Muslims – despite
training at odd hours when others are sleeping. Fellow
runners, thanks for your commitment and efforts!
However our plans were dealt a severe blow when the
undersigned received the Entry Forms and found that the
organisers have brought forward the event to 28/11/04
instead on 12/12/04 as listed in their event
calendar. This reduced timeframe have 3 implications
-
a) Yet to schedule a
KLAVA meeting to confirm sending a KLAVA team.
b) Some runners have
to reschedule their personal appointment.
c) Accelerated peak training period
leading to injuries.
We have a competitive team – doing quite
well throughout the year, usually being either
champions, runners-up or at least amongst the top
placing in road relay events. That goes without needing
to say that some of our runners are also podium
finishers in individual road race events. Hence, we
were participating not merely to make up the
numbers (of teams) but challenging for top placing. We
have been fielding KLAVA team for this annual Pg.
R.I.R.R. for the past 3 consecutive years. Last year
we even field 2 teams due to a committee members request
to give more members opportunity to participate.
It
would have been a great pity if we missed out this
year’s event. The undersigned tried to get a sponsor
but was unsuccessful this third time (previously he got
sponsorship for the Pg’s Round the Houses Road Relay
2004 & Mentakab to Temerloh Road Relay 2004).
Sponsorship luck had ran out this time. Hence, the
undersigned on behalf of the team members wish to
express our gratitude to our Deputy President, Mr.
Thaneswaran for making our participation possible. He
has personally advance a loan of RM1,500.00 to be
reimbursed by KLAVA later subject to committee’s
decision.
The organisers were glad to receive
confirmation of our participation but not team “Old &
Young “ ! Apparently prior to this news, so confident
were they – that they wanted to split up and mix their
runners (team ‘A’ & ‘B’) hoping to grab both first and 2nd
placing until we came along !
Although we have 2 regular runners “TKO”(namely
Applaidoo and Peter Goh) due to unforeseen circumstances
we still have a formidable team, we thought. As the
days drew closer, we were hit by last minute surprises.
3 of our strong runners namely Lim Tham Yan, our “uphill
specialist” was injured; Abdul Malik- family (parents)
matter to attend; Vincent Wong, our “King of the
mountain” – family (wife) commitment. We have no choice
but to reshuffle our team. Knowing that our remaining
top 6 runners are better than our opponent’s best, we
changed our stragedy. We placed then in front and bank
on them to give us a good lead, and create a gap wide
enough for the others to do their best and hold on until
the finishing line.
So, unlike the previous years, most were
surprised to find KLAVA leading. At one stretch, the
gap was more than 4 minutes. However team “Old & Young”
finally caught up and overtook our 7th runner
after a few kilometres. We have to accept second
placing as consolation. By comparison, we were faster
than some of the open category teams i.e. younger
runners.
Although we were again runners-up, we
salute the team members for their gallant, efforts,
their commitment and sacrifices. Sacrifice? One may not
understand if one is not aware that on the same day of
the event (28/11/2004), K.L. was also staging the
Siemen’s Run which offers decent cash prizes for
saparate junior and senior veteran category. Some of
our KLAVA runners could have join this event and won
themselves the cash prizes. However, they choose to run
for KLAVA in Penang. Fellow runners, we salute you for
your dedication and commitments! As always, the
undersigned hopes that one day you all would be duly
rewarded in recognition of your loyalty and
commitments. Last but not least, the undersigned wished
to thank the reserved runners and other committee
members for all their support.
Prepared by:
EDDY CHOO
.
|
