Running: Bring On The Night at Sundown Malaysia 2014 (Johor)

Sundown Marathon is a well-known running event in Singapore. Due to high-demand from local runners, the organisor HiVelocity had selected Johor Bahru as its race venue for the first time.

Sundown Malaysia has two categories at 12KM and 21KM. I was keen to do the half-marathon since finishing tee was one of the runner's entitlement upon completing the race.

Registered for this run earlier in March 2014 at a fee of RM80. Running this event with Farrah like my previous runs. A running milestone for her as this was her first 21KM distance.

Race Pack Collection

Collected my race pack at Medini Mall, Nusajaya in the afternoon few hours before flag off. Race pack collection was smooth and straight forward. The organisor even made my finisher tee size change as per my email request. The option for finisher tee was not available during early registration. 

There were a few retail exhibition booths in the area such as Brooks, Key Power International (2XU), RockTape and Sundown Marathon 2014 Official Merchandise. Met Saad, a special runner from Penang at the Sundown Official Merchandise booth who is doing the half-marathon distance. Did a quick coffee session with Saad and friend at Old Town White Coffee nearby before going back to hotel for preparation.

Bought the glow-in-the-dark tee as event souvenir at RM75. Promo at RM140 for 2 pieces. Feel a bit pricey as selling price in Malaysia.

Official Sundown Merchandise Pricing

Running Night

Reached Legoland car park area at 6pm with Farrah. Shuttle buses were available to bring runners to the flag off venue at Educity Stadium & Sport Complex, located 5 - 10 minutes away from the Legoland car park. Parking was ample and was free of charge on that day.

Car Park at Legoland Malaysia

Shuttle Bus Pick-Up Point

Baggage deposit counter service was fast by the volunteers. A numbered sticker was given for baggage collection after the race. Had a quick meal of fried mee hoon at one of the food stall in the gathering venue. Not so many choices though.

Educity Stadium & Sport Complex

Baggage Deposit Counter

Jun 22, 2014 | Sundown Malaysia 2014 (Flag Off) by xeon_204 on Keek.com

The Half-Marathon category was flagged off at 8pm. Started my run at my basic pace with Farrah until the first water station at KM3. The running route was on flat road with more than 33m elevation. However, the route was a bit dark at a low-light condition. Few times to accidentally kicked construction rocks along the road. The night was really warm with no wind breeze. Water station was good with mineral water and revive available for runners hydration. 

Flag Off - First KM

Water Station Volunteers

Had to take a photo here

Selfie at 10KM

Medical van and volunteers were seen along the running route and check points. There were 2 - 3 volunteers with the muscle sprays on standby too. A Power Gel and ice cold sponge were given at KM13 check point. 

Power Gel Provided at Check Point

Athlete's Welfare Volunteers

With a positive mind, I continued to complete the remaining distance and successfully crossed the finishing line at a timing of 3:04:33 (Gun Time). Wish I had trained better for this run.

Map from Nike Running App

Official Finisher Photo by Marathon-Photos

Jun 26, 2014 | Sundown Malaysia 2014 - Finishing Video by xeon_204 on Keek.com

Finisher medal, a banana, mineral water were given upon crossing the finishing line at the 21KM Athlete's Welfare Area. Collected my finisher tee at a different counter located in the stadium. Regroup with Farrah in the area along with Che Hartini and Fiza (colleagues in Johor Bahru). 

Congratulations to Farrah for completing your first half-marathon! Good job to Che Hartini and Fiza for running 12KM for the first time.

Medal and Finisher Tee

Jun 22, 2014 | Sundown Malaysia 2014 (End) by xeon_204 on Keek.com

Comments

The run event was managed well by organisor. Everything was as my expectation except the selected running route. The running route was boring with not much to see. Running within the MPJB office area was nice though.

Love the running entitlement from running vest, medal and finisher tee design. But won't be exciting for those who ran at Sundown Marathon 2014 as medal design was similar -- Comment taken from Sundown Marathon 2014 past participant. 

Didn't see much freelance photographers action at the event. Runner can buy their pictures at marathon-photos only at the moment. 

Summary: A good well managed running event by organisor and partners.

Is it me or did anyone else had a weird feeling during running the race route? I had my moments along the running route.

Event Recommendation: ★★★☆☆

Sundown Malaysia 2014 Completed!