WHAT HAS SCKLM 2018 IN STORE FOR RUNNERS?
Editor’s Note
I thought now would be a poignant time to look ahead to SCKLM 2018 as come 7th December 2017, registration will be open to SCKLM 2017 Runners only. As such, the Event Owner, Dirigo Events, predict that 17,000 Runners will return based on the past trends. If correct, then come 10th January 2018, another 18,000 slots will be offered to the public at large.
Given that the Running Industry is still very bullish, I suppose it’s only a matter of time before all the total 35,000 slots will be taken up, and most likely, some late registrants will even miss-out on grabbing the limited slots as it is always the case every year.
So, what exactly can we expect from SCKLM 2018. Will there be any changes to last year’s successful SCKLM 2017, and how will any such changes affect the Participant’s Race Experience in terms of the QUALITY of the event as a whole?
Certainly, nobody will know for sure the answers to the above questions, but for the sake of new runners who have never joined SCKLM before, I want to share with you my thoughts and views on Malaysia’s Premier Marathon minus the commercial jingle, good or bad, right or wrong.
Free Running Clinic & More
Keeping with tradition, the free SCKLM Running Clinics which is headed by Running Coach Mark Williams for Adults & Kids will CONTINUE AS USUAL! Moreover, if you want to take your personal training and preparations to the NEXT LEVEL, SCKLM 2018 is offering professional coaching services of The Running Plan company (set up in 2017) – which is owned and operated by the same Coach Mark – and you can check http://www.therunningplan.com for different customised running plans and fees to suit you!
If you are serious about running and you are keen to run at your optimum level, then Mark’s Personal Training Plan will no doubt help you be a better runner.
In the past, quite a number of Runners, had taken advantage of the Free Running Clinics, but for those many Runners outside of Kuala Lumpur, it would not have been practical to have joined in. In comparison to the total number of SCKLM 2017 participants, the actual number of people who could and did turn-up to the Free Running Clinics were largely insignificant.
Nevertheless, in terms of the Value-For-Money factor, the removal of the free running clinic has somewhat diminish the Runners benefit, and at the same time, reduce the Organiser’s total Operational Cost.
Bye, Bye Toll-Free Highway(s)
My guess is that SCKLM 2O18 will not feature one or both of the AKLEH & DUKE Highways because it is just not worth for the organiser to pay 100,000s ringgit to the highway concessionaires for just a few hours usage.
Besides, many SCKLM Runners have complained that running on the highway is too boring. Thus, if my prediction is right, then SCKLM 2018 course will offer more running on KL streets provided that they can fend-off the irate motorists and minimise the disruption to city traffic and business operations on race day.
10th Anniversary Celebrations
As hinted by Dirigo Events, there will be some new elements introduced to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of marriage between Dirigo and Standard Chartered Bank (SCB).
So, the million dollar question is “will SCB renew their vows for the next 10 years?”. If everything turns out rosey on race day, why shouldn’t they?
Election Year Fever
There is every chance that the Election Campaign will fall around April 2018. If SCKLM 2018 is unlucky enough to clash dates with the Electoral Activities, the Authorities could shut down Race Day because Police Personal will be busy ensuring public safety during the volatile Campaigning period. For now, nobody outside The Inner Political Ring knows when will be the exact Polling Date. There is a saying that goes, “hope for the best, but expect the worse” but this is not what SCKLM Fans want to hear.
Go, Go, Go Dirigo!
SCKLM 2018 is 4 months away, and the immediate task for Dirigo Events is to first secure the 35,000 Paid Slots. Then only, can the real fun begin. No money, no talk, baby!
Thereafter, Dirigo will start releasing newsbites on many exciting activities leading up, all the way, to the actual race day. Definitely, SCKLM happenings will overshadow all other local running events, and all eyes will be fixed on the Dirigo Events Team to deliver another magical marathon that will exceed our already high expectations from previous successes…
*Disclaimer*
To the best of my knowledge, all of the information provided herein is accurate at the time of publishing and the views expressed are based on my own personal opinions and findings, and they don’t necessarily reflect the views of the Product Manufacturer, Event Organiser or any Third Party unless explicitly specified otherwise.
About The Author
Gus is the Founder of Running Toons and a HIIT Fitness Coach. As a freelance WRITER, he has contributed numerous insightful articles to The Star newspaper, Running Malaysia magazine, Cycling Malaysia magazine, Cycling Evolution magazine, Swim Bike Run magazine and more. LIKE Happy Runner for RUNNING UPDATES, Gus Rider for CYCLING NEWS, Gus Ghani for SPORTS INFOTAINMENT and FOLLOW gusghani @IG for LIFESTYLE.
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Running Into Another Dead End
🛑🚧🏃 Running Into Another Dead End
It never cease to baffle me how many times Runners are easily duped by FAKE Running Events, especially after the high-profile public outcry in the media following each exposed scam.
In my small way, I have been trying to assist the General Public (including Runners) avoid Running Event Scams by giving my tips on choosing CREDIBLE Events (see my related article
How to choose a run – and avoid getting conned
April 30, 2016
Read more at http://www.star2.com/travel/malaysia/2016/04/30/how-choose-a-run-and-avoid-getting-conned/#y8aGUty7Jitt5uA4.99
in The Star), as well as sharing key information about the activities of Event Organisers and providing as much details as possible about upcoming running events.
So, it is disheartening to discover that a New Scam has just emerged in the form of the Electron Run which was supposed to take place on 30 Dec 2017 but the concerned registration portal, Asiatix, has removed “the product” from its website about 3 weeks.
How Do We Now Know This Is A Scam?
➡️NO official notice about the Event Cancellation was sent to the Participants, and there is NO official cancellation notice posted ANYWHERE to be found.
➡️ Participants have tried contacting website admin to enquire about refund, but there has been NO reply.
➡️Nobody can say WHO is the Organiser.
➡️ The Event Banner only mentions “Supported by Asiatix” without any information on the Organiser or Sponsor.
What Were The Warning Signals?
The most glaring red flag is the lack of Event Details that were provided such as the Organiser Name, Runners Entitlement, Sponsorship Details, Race Description, etc.
Secondly, it appears that Asiatix is a new set-up, and their only claim can be that they can set-up a website – which anyone can also do with minimum know-how and sometimes for free.
Thirdly, there is no publicised justification whatsoever why the registration fee of RM70 for 5 km distance is so EXPENSIVE.
Why Do Runners Keep Getting Fooled?
Knowing the answer to this question can help you make better event choices in the future. Unfortunately, the Con Artist already knows why they can fool you each time because they know exactly which of your buttons to press in order to get you to play along with them.
Here are 3 of the COMPELLING reasons which can PERSUADE Runners to register for the wrong event :-
🙈 You See Popular Running Groups/Pages/Seasoned Runners promoting that event
🙈 Your Running Buddies Have Already Signed Up
🙈 You are desperate to run on that particular day or at that special venue
ARE WE OUR WORST ENEMY?
My Simple Tips for Runners to avoid SCAM Running Events (as opposed to poor quality ones) are :-
STOP SPAMMING & ABETTING
If you want to genuinely help fellow runners experience many quality races, immediately stop promoting events and organisers who you know very little about, and make sure you do some preliminary vetting before spamming unknown entities. This is especially true for Elite, Popular Runners & Established Running Groups who have the extra responsibility to upkeep the INTEGRITY & PROFESSIONALISM among Running Community, above and beyond any personal or commercial interests….
GETTING AWAY WITH BLUE MURDER
Have you ever heard of a person being caught and prosecuted for running away with the registration fees?
As per normal, the identity of the Electron Run owners will never be know, and there will be no refunds to those who paid up.
To cut out these running shams, we need proper Regulations, Procedures & Enforcement, and until such day, we, Runners, just got to look after each other’s back….
*Disclaimer*
To the best of my knowledge, all of the information provided herein is accurate at the time of publishing and the views expressed are based on my own personal opinions and findings, and they don’t necessarily reflect the views of the Product Manufacturer, Event Organiser or any Third Party unless explicitly specified otherwise.
About The Author
Gus is the Founder of Running Toons and a HIIT Fitness Coach. As a freelance WRITER, he has contributed numerous insightful articles to The Star newspaper, Running Malaysia magazine, Cycling Malaysia magazine, Cycling Evolution magazine, Swim Bike Run magazine and more. LIKE Happy Runner for RUNNING UPDATES, Gus Rider for CYCLING NEWS, Gus Ghani for SPORTS INFOTAINMENT and FOLLOW gusghani @IG for LIFESTYLE.
📺 SUBSCRIBE To My YouTube Channel
https://m.youtube.com/user/gusghani
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https://www.facebook.com/gusghanisupercoach/
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