SCKLM 2013 : Postponed to September 29, 2013

It finally happened. The haze has caused SCKLM to be postponed. With reading exceeding 150ppm over the past four days, this postponement is unavoidable and perhaps best done in the interest of most runners. I believe the organiser has taken a very brave stand. This is "Force Majeure" or by politician lingo - "Act of God". Having said that, you now have up to 8 weeks to train for SCKLM 2013. Now, you just ran out of excuse not to train and prepare properly for the race.

This also meant my tapering this week ends and training will resume proportionate to the good weather (air is clearing up). With Fasting month coming, consider to work your training around this period. For the Muslim friends, this reminds me of my Ironman preparation between 2007 to 2010 where the race happens after Chinese New Year - so, yes, no celebration for me during those years and it is a choice and sacrifice I had to make for my own personal venture.

Official media statement will be posted once I get it.

Meanwhile - stay safe, train harder.
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Update : 9:30am June 27, 2013

STANDARD CHARTERED KL MARATHON 2013 POSTPONED

27 June 2013

Organisers announce new date, 29 September 2013

The organisers of Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2013 officially made the decision today to postpone the Marathon that was initially scheduled for 30 June 2013 in the interest of public health. The decision was made with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, co-organiser Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur and title sponsor, Standard Chartered Bank.

After discussions with the local authorities including Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL), Department of Environment (DOE) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the organisers and partners of the event came to a difficult decision to postpone the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2013 to 29 September 2013.

YB Khairy Jamaluddin, the Minister of Youth and Sports has concurred with the decision to postpone the event due to the current haze situation, given the potential detrimental health hazards posed to more than 33,000 participants of the Marathon.

Kuala Lumpur Mayor, YBhg Datuk Seri Haji Ahmad Phesal Talib reinforced the decision to set the Marathon to a more conducive time and date due to the unexpected circumstance. “The Standard Chartered KL Marathon is a key event for Kuala Lumpur, and I’m supportive of it being held in better weather condition. We want the participants to enjoy their run along the streets of Kuala Lumpur,” he added.

Rainer Biemans, the Project Director of Standard Chartered KL Marathon further explained why such a tough decision was made, “The main factor of the postponement is due to the haze situation in the city. The Air Pollutant Index (API) which scaled to a hazardous level earlier in the week is yet to show strong improvement. We regret any inconveniences caused but we place our runners’ health and safety above all else. The team worked very hard to get everything in place and we share the runners’ disappointment. With a new date to look forward to, we hope that all runners will take this opportunity to continue training and be even more mentally prepared to run and finish a good race. We look forward to seeing all of you in September.”

Title sponsor, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Osman Morad supported the decision and said, “As much as we would like to proceed with the Marathon, we will not compromise on public health. We have rescheduled the Marathon based on the city’s calendar and on the advice of the authorities. I look forward to it taking place in September with keen anticipation.”

Race Entry Pack Collection will however proceed as scheduled on 27 to 29 June at PWTC for runners residing in W.P. Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. For runners that are not from W.P. Kuala Lumpur and Selangor may collect their race-entry packs on the week leading to 29 September where the organisers will set up a small scale Race Entry Pack Collection only for these outstation and overseas runners.

Organisers encourage participants to regularly visit the Standard Chartered KL Marathon official website at www.kl-marathon.com and facebook.com/scklmarathon for updates.