Running the Putrajaya Night Marathon

The Putrajaya Night Marathon held on 15th of October must be the best organized and managed run in Malaysia’s history of running events, if not sports events. It was most certainly the most fun.

Thousands of runners turned up for the events which included a Marathon, Half-Marathon and a 10km run amongst others. And amongst them, somewhere in the middle of the half-marathon pack, was this writer, getting a first-hand view of it all. There were old runners and young runners, male and female, of all races, Malaysians and non-Malaysians. The half-marathon started off at about 8.20 pm of a lovely Goldilocks evening in Putrajaya; not too hot and not too cold.

Barely a kilometer after starting off, the runners are greeted by drummers, music, volunteers giving you high-fives and, startlingly for a running event, a group of lovely cheerleaders shouting ‘Go, Fight, Win’. There would continue to be encouraging ‘music stations’ throughout the course.

Later, a Falun Dafa band would march proudly past to the claps of runners. There was even one where Chinese drums, Malay drums and Indian drums all played together providing both a musical treat and a social lesson at the same time. At one point, we even had a couple of performers painted in silver, standing and sitting stock still on the divider. A common sight in European cities, but really refreshing in Kuala Lumpur. Some runners could not resist but to stop and take a picture of them.

By now, this writer, about 12 kilometres of the 21 already covered, was in an advanced state of suffering thanks to inadequate preparation. Thank goodness I hadn’t signed up for the full marathon. But I gritted my teeth and kept going, if only to find out what other surprises the organisers had in store for us. And there they were, fully dressed clowns, spraying us with water from water rifles! And next, the Dark Knight, accompanied by Syndrome from The Incredibles, waving and giving high fives as we ran past. Has Robin lost his job?

In terms of water stations, often a grouse with runners, the organizers left no room for complaint; there were waterstations every three kilometres. And there were plenty of mobile toilets, free water being handed out and friendly officials. As for the volunteers, they were the most excited, enthusiastic and friendly I have ever seen. Could this be the perfectly organized marathon?

I finally reached the finish line; taking about two and a half hours to complete the half-marathon. Surprisingly, I get a finishers medal! And hang on, a finisher’s T-shirt as well! It is the perfectly organized marathon! And the most fun! The organizer, whoever he is, is brilliant!

See you in next year’s Putrajaya Night Marathon!

Malaysia Chronicle