Mizuno 10km and Terry Fox Run 2006

Wore the silky smooth orange Mizuno T-shirt and by 7a.m I was out of the house. Got off at the National Monument and immediately took a leak next to a big tree. It is now a habit, no need to queue or frantic search for the official bowl. Ecological exchange with the tree, I supply the nutrients in exchange for the oxygen, naturally.

Met Choi, TM Wong, William, Karen and her father. Could not find Jamie and Newton.
While we were chatting, the race started. It was very packed. A middle age runner tripped and fell flat on the ground but luckily he was not injured. The first few minutes of the start are usually the most accident-prone.

Pinup incentive

It’s one of my favorite routes and a repeat of the NB 15km run minus the loop. Route familiarity help, as I know what was ahead. I step a notch faster coming down the gradual Mahameru downhill. U-turn to Kementarian Pertanian and from here I was trailing this group of runners lead by a perfectly shaped and well-tanned lady runner. In fact she has the body of a swimsuit pinup supermodel.

I kept up from behind as I felt I did not have the speed to overtake them. After Tugu Peringatan, it was the nice downhill, all the way. I could see Supermodel and gang have increased pace and soon lost sight of them at the final left turn to Padang Merbok.

Super striding

I thought I have max out but to my own embarrassment and disbelief I had reserves to do a sprint. I lengthened my strides and overtook more than 10 runners including Supermodel to the finish. It was my strongest last 200 meters ending ever. I clocked 1:05:04.

After taking the traditional group photos with the Pacemakers group, Choi, TM Wong and Karen, we walked to Lake Gardens for the Terry Fox Run. Met Ryan who was helping Captain Ronnie to record race results.



Terry Fox Run

While walking to the boathouse, we saw ex-F1 driver, Alex Yoong donned the Terry Fox T-shirt. He seems oblivious to our stares. There must be thousands of participants wearing the white T-shirt with a large number coming from foreign expatriates. Families came in roller blades, bicycles, tricycles, pram, wheelchair, scooter etc.

My bright Orange Mizuno T-shirt stood out in a sea of Whites. A Caucasian obviously found I was not “compliant” came up to me and said assertively “GET OFF THAT T-SHIRT Its about to start!”.

Saya mau makan nasi lemak puas-puas...

We were looking if any of the tents sold T-shirts before going back to the car to get my wallet. When we found it, we sigh with the thought of rushing back to the Bird-park where the car was parked. Luckily Mee Peng bumped into her office colleague who loan us RM50. San Franscisco sponsored the coffee, curry puffs and muffins were simply delicious.

I walked in the entire 3.5km procession. Met Mee Peng who ran, at the end point. We were presented with the Terry Fox certificate. After reading the contents my eyes welled as I now understand what Terry Fox Foundation means to people who had cancer.

Terry Fox said....

“I’m not doing my run to become rich or famous. To me, being famous is not the idea of the run. The only important part is finding a cure for cancer. Don’t forget that. I’m no different from any of you- I’m no better, no worse. You are cheering and clapping for me but if you have given $1, then you are part of the Marathon of Hope. Even if I don’t finish, we need others to continue. It’s got to keep going without me”


It was a meaningful day. It was not a day about racing. It was a day about hope. Terry Fox made my day.