The KL equivalent of a Singapore legend

I can still remember the Singapore legend, after all these years. I had first encountered it in the mid-80s and since then, whenever the guys get together for reservist, the topic comes up. The talk always centered around heroism, endurance, pain and (finally) victory. About how many times the ascend was made and then how everyone stumbled, fell, tripped our way down in the smooth stones and gravel.

In fact, Peng Kang hill is so famous we even joked that a memorial ought to be erected at its base, and thereafter station a military sentry to control the people going up and coming down. Its really hallowed ground with soldiers because many of us have gone up and down the steep hill. I still remember, a little hazy now with the passing of the years, that there are 3 turns; and on the third turn on the way up, the incline is so steep you see the sky. I don't remember having ran up Peng Kang hill without stopping, needing to stop at least once to catch my breath - and during army training, there is always someone barking at you whenever you stop.

I am just thinking back to the run up Bukit Kiara just now. The hill is paved, unlike Peng Kang hill so there is no slipping and falling. It is way longer than Peng Kang because the entire journey up, with a loop around at the top and back down is about 5k. But it has the same 3 turns, and it is steep. How does it compare with Peng Kang hill? I remember I had to expend the same effort, the same breathlessness. I have never, never, gone up Bkt Kiara without having to stop and the best I have done is to stop once during the ascend, and again somewhere within the loop (where the "broken road kerbs" are). Today, I had to stopped more than twice but it was a good clip throughout.

I daresay Bkt Kiara is just as famous at least amongst those who know. There is a drinks seller at the base, and monkeys all over. Within Bkt Kiara, I am told there are mountain bike trails. On a weekend, many many people walk up and down the hill, with only a few running. These runners are really fit; one of them stopped me when he saw I had donned on a singlet from another race to enquire if I had enjoyed that race and when I said it was my first half, he said he did the ultra! The conversation ended with him telling me that anyone that could go up and down Bkt Kiara for 90 minutes would be marathon fit.

Bkt Kiara is the Peng Kang hill for me now. That hill in Spore is within a restricted area and the public is not allowed in. Bkt Kiara is where memories are built now.