5,000 runners traded recycled plastic bottles & old newspaper to run 7km & 3km through the main thoroughfare of Precinct 2, Putra Jaya on a civil servant-less Sunday. There were many car parks available as I arrived just before daybreak.

I brought my recycled stuff to the registration counter, and in exchange, I was given my race number (G02750), a cool T-shirt and a bag of goodies.

It was a great family day as school children and their parents prepared to run.

My category (>40yrs) and the junior categories was only a short 3km run, and so our start time was scheduled 7:45AM; 15 minutes after the 7km Open category was flagged-off.

I carried my hanphone camera on board, and I made the most use of it by clicking away despite the fact that my shots would be of limited quality. At times, I had to ask strangers help to capture my photo – “bang (or kak), boleh tolong…?”.

I was extra happy with my cool running shirt provided by my co-sponsor, Money Matters. At the starting line, I was telling myself to go for a good start & keep my pace below 6mins/km since it was a short race. The route was nice & straight, and the surface was flat & even. The roads were wide enough for runners to overtake with ease. I reached the turning point with ease – keeping my pace & breathing steady. 500 metres from the finish line, I was overtaken by the first 3 runners in the 7km race! It reminded me how wide the time gap between myself and the true contenders. Nevertheless, I know my limits plus the fact that I am a late-starter when it comes to participating in running events: I only started running 7 months ago, and I know I got lots more to learn.

What a feeling! My decent pace of 5min40s/km paid-off with an attractive medal which was limited to 50 per category. In the end, what matters most was that the 5,000 runners present had openly supported our National Environment Day. Admittedly, it felt good to run for a good cause – a green one at that.  As usual, I am amazed & thankful for the helpfulness of all the tireless volunteers – without their hardwork, there will be no race. After I picked-up my goodie bag & grab 2 bottles of mineral water on offer, I snapped a few photos of other runners crossing the finishing line. 

One by one, the fun runners were escorted by the crew as they drifted across the line – panting & smiling, even hopeful to get their hands on one of the 500 medals available. Yes, I would partake in this race if it becomes a yearly event because it was well organized and the wide Putra Jaya boulevards is easy on the feet & eye. Come to think of it, this was my second race in Putra jaya this year – the first was the Night Marathon. Anycase, before I left the venue, I said goodbye to Faisal – a runner I met last Sunday at the ANR.

Last Race: AdiNation Run, SPK Cahaya, 11-Dec-2011

Next Race: 25km Newton, 1-Jan-2012