Nike City 10k KL

All year, I have been looking on in envy at the runners who wear the Nike Run tee. It was (rightfully) such a big deal last year. The year before, Nike started the 10k run to be held on a worldwide basis – meaning that every participating city will hold a Nike organized 10k run on a designated date in October. Last year, it wasn’t done world-wide but the run in Singapore was unique in that no bibs were issued but your racing number was printed on the event tee-shirt. People were wearing the red Nike tee long after the race and I have looked on, regretting that we did not do that race.

This year, the Nike 10k run was different. The race tee continues to have your running number printed but the race was pitched as a Spore vs KL event. Total distances would be added to see which city emerged the winner. The KL race was held last Sunday and it was great.  Nisa and I ran it because we regard ourselves as being a part of the KL running community.

This time, we did a few things right.  We scouted the start the day before to see where we could park, and on the day of the race itself, we go there with some 30min to spare.  Enough time to find a spot to park, walk leisurely to the start and do a decent warm-up.  We even stood around waiting for the gun!  There were many many people and we did the Spore thing - we found a spot outside the corral at the front and when the gun went off, we duck-ed inside the corral and crossed the start with those right in front.  It helped quite a bit but like every start, every one ran off at top speed and things quickly got crowded.  I plodded along but must have been caught up with it all and did the 1km in 4:46.  There was some weaving involved but by the 3rd km, I was tired and had to slow.  It was discouraging too because this is where we separated from those running the 5k race as they turned off to head back.

I would have expected a city race to be pan-cake flat but we went up the KLCC highway, came down, and U-turned up again.  It wasn't easy and later, Nisa said that all those intervals at the hilly housing estate behind where we live in Spore must have help; I didn't feel it did but I am sure I would have struggled more if I had skipped the intervals.

The only part of the race that was badly planned was the bit going into the tunnel.  The tunnel must have been about 600m long, and because part of it was closed for the race, traffic was at a standstill, with fumes building up.  Driver and runners were not happy and no wonder.  Out of the tunnel, did a short U-turn again and the finish was suddenly in sight.  I crossed in a 10k PB, some 5min faster than my SCKLM2010