Running: Salomon X-Trail Run 2014 (Selangor)

It's been a while since I did an actual trail running. Not really a fan of trail type due to certain reasons like muddy shoes and extreme high-elevation route.

Have been deciding to close my 2014 running calendar with either Newton Challenge or Salomon X-Trail Run. Ended up choosing Salomon X-Trail Run instead since I had started my 2014 running journey on trail early February at XTerra Night Trail 2014.

Signed-up for the 10K distance race on October with a fee of RM60. This was actually my first time running in this particular event by Salomon Malaysia.

The Salomon X-Trail Run 2014 was held at MAEPS, Serdang on 21 December 2014.

Race Day

Finding the event area was easy as direction signboards have been placed from MAEPS / MARDI Gate 2 entrance. Reached the start area 10 minutes before flag-off at 7am. However, the flag-off time was delayed 15 minutes to ensure the running trail was safe for participants. The 10K distance was changed to 12KM instead too, which was much interesting.

Bumped into my usual running friends like Kakai with his running buddies and Taariq with the Trailblazerz at the start area as I was depositing my baggage at the baggage counter. Regrouped with Hadi, Yen Yen and Azrul just few minutes before the Men's Open flag-off.

Friendly Volunteers

Start Area

Start Area

It was a challenging race for me as the race trail was really muddy and slippery due to wet weather conditions the night earlier. At about KM3, participants have to run uphill and downhill through slippery muddy trail. Luckily, I have been prepared with my Nike Trail Wildhorse running shoes which was suitable for the route conditions.

Trail Runners

Water stations were sufficient with fast handling by friendly volunteers. There was one water station with REVIVE isotonic drink along the race route. Traffic marshals were at every turn-point to direct participants at the correct race route.

Water Station and Volunteers

Water Station and Volunteers

Photo courtesy of Vivien Tay

Crossed the finishing line at 1:55:26 (Official Chip Time). Got my finisher medal and a bottle of mineral water at the finishing line. 

Photo courtesy of Ch Leong

Friendly Volunteers

Event Area

Spent some time at the event area to meet and catch-up with running friends. There was a basic post-race breakfast tents where finishers could redeem a banana, a bun and bowl of tau foo.

There were exhibition tents by Salomon Malaysia, sponsors and partners too. Photo-walls were available, some with creative props for use.

Running Friends

Running Friends

Running Friends (Trailblazerz)

Event Area

Basic Post-Race Breakfast

Left the area for post-race breakfast / lunch / birthday cake eating session with Kakai and friends somewhere around Serdang.

Running Friends

Review

No complaints on the race pack entitlements. Running tee design and size cutting was good. Finisher medal design was heavy and nice too. Some defects on the lanyard print, but very minor.

Heard that some late race pack collectors (on the last day of RPEC) were given a different running tee size from what they selected during online registration due to insufficient stock. Don't think that this should happen at any race event RPEC. Yeah, I had my own similar experience elsewhere.

Race route was at my expectation. The slippery muddy uphill and downhill did challenged my mental and fitness level. Have to train harder on 2015.

Finisher Medal

Trail Running Result

Special thanks to Vivien Tay and Ch Leong for sharing their photography work from the event.

Summary: Excellent job by Salomon Malaysia, World Of Sports Malaysia, organisor, partners and sponsors for a well organised race event. Looking forward for more improvements on future event.

Event Recommendation: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Salomon X-Trail Run 2014 Completed!