Running: Save The Bornean Elephant Charity Run 2015 (Sabah)

KK No Excuse Runners #KKNER

A week after returning from Kuching Marathon 2015, I continued my running mileage at a local charity event named Save The Borneon Elephant Charity Run held on 23 August 2015 at the Likas Stadium car park area.

Registration fee was at RM60 (early bird) available via online and walk-in at Perfomance Sportz weeks early prior to race date. The medal design was one of the main reason for my participation. The unique finisher medal could be a great addition to my finisher medal collections.

Why Save The Borneon Elephant?

Because the world’s elephants are in trouble and need your help.

Elephant numbers have dropped by 62% over the last decade, and they could be mostly extinct by the end of the next decade.

Race Pack Collection Day

The REPC was straight forward. I was given the correct size of running tee and race bib. There was also discount vouchers added in. The running tee size was similar with the prvs race event held. REPC was held at Performance Sportz located at Likas Driving Range since Tuesday.

Race Day

Parking was ample at first come first serve basis. There were RELA officials on duty seen around the parking area. Regrouped with KKNER members and friends at the starting line. At 6.00 am, participants were flagged off at the public car park area instead of Likas Stadium this round.

Running Friends (KKNER)

The race route was basically flat along the scenic coastal main road. Water stations were well located along the race route with mineral water and isotonic drink. There were official photographers from Rapidshutter Inc. and some runner cum photographers at this event too. Bumped onto tons of running friends along the race route like Khairul, Akbal, Bob, Pamela and also Shar Radzlee. Spotted Marathon Mohan and some participants from LYN Runners supporting this charity event.

Event Area

Event Area

Completed the 11KM charity run at 1:15 hours receiving my finisher medal at the finishing line. The was no free water at the finishing line except the ones given by one of the event sponsors which was apple flavour.

Finisher Medal

Noticed there was a tent selling drinks at a reasonable price in the area. Spent some time to mingle around the event area with running friends while waiting for the lucky draw session. There was a photo wall located near the start / finish arch for photography. 

Nike+ Running Map

Running Friends (Sabah Trail Seekers)

Running Friends (KKNER)

Running Friend

Running Friend

Running Friend

Running Friends

Comments

Running tee fabric and design was fine. Excellent unique finisher medal design. A job well done on traffic control, water stations and medics. Photographers were available along the race route and finishing line. Original photographs are available for purchase from Rapidshutter Inc.  

No mineral water after finishing the race. Participants had to rely on the free apple juice at the sponsor tent and the ones for purchase. Registration fee was somewhat pricey for the normal and late period at RM70 - RM100 for a basic 11KM race event. Participants entitlements could be better at such fee i.e. goodie bag, branded running tee, etc.

Also the strategies in enhancing the awareness in wildlife conservation and sustainable forest practices in Sabah could be way more better. Organising charity event for a cause is necessary, but the effectiveness of its objective is way more crucial.

Photo Courtesy of Khafez Mudry

Summary: A good charity run event by organisor, sponsors and partners. Looking forward for more improvement at future race event. 

Event Recommendation: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Save The Bornean Elephant Charity Run 2015 Completed!