Run and travel: Sultan Azlan Shah's birthday Run 2014

I have finally able to run in this event in Kuala Kangsar which is the nearest major town to Taiping where I stay and work. I registered to run in 2012 but the event was cancelled last minute due to the passing of the Sultan's brother. I could not made it last year because it coincided with my date to Australia and New Zealand. I registered to run in the 15 km category as there is only 7 km and 15 km categories. My wife took part in the 7 km category. The race was on 11 May but We have to go all the way from Taiping to Kuala Kangsar to collect our T-shirt and running bibs on the 9 May. But it is not a big issue at all as it is just an half hour journey from Taiping.
We started our journey to Kuala Kangsar for the run about 5.30 am and arrived at the venue at 6 am which means we still have plenty of time to go to the toilet and do some warming up. We did our warming by walking and stretching at the hostel field of the Malay College, the most famous and prestigious secondary school in Malaysia. A rare occasion we are allowed into the place. The Crown prince was present to start off the race exactly at 6.45 am. The route is mostly flat but it is a rare opportunity to run through traditional Malay villages with some village folks standing outside their houses to cheer us on. Even though the distance is merely 15 km but we were treated with energy enhancing stuff like banana and honey dew at two of the 4 water stations. The real surprise was the offer of fresh coconut for each one of us when we were running along the bank of the Perak River from the town. The view was breathtaking with the river and Jetty and the magnificent Kuala Kangsar bridge spanning across the river.
While at the final 3 km of the run I met an acquaintance runner from Taiping and we paced together until the finishing line. My time should be 1 hour 50 minutes but I do not really care about my time since all who finish the race will be given a finisher medal. My wife returned to the finishing line earlier and was waiting at the side of the finishing line hoping to snap a good shot of me crossing the finishing line but somehow I just became invincible to her while crossing the line. Poor guy, no glamorous shot to show off.
There is no big crowd in this event and it is really a good run in such a quiet town with its traditional malay villages setting. There are cheer groups at various locations making up of Chinese drum troup, Malay traditional musical instrument troupe and the Malay horse dance to entertain the locals and the runners. The organiser has really put up a good show and the goodies given is more than the registration fee of RM 20 and RM15. The pair of Mizuno socks given is already RM19.90 as stated in the price tag and we were given a nice running T-shirt and the unique medal in the shape of the Perak state. I should give a 5 stars grading to this event and I will definitely return next year.