In Xiamen do what the hokkien do

Xiamen Marathon, 3 Jan 2009

I am pleased to say we had achieved our PB for Xiamen Marathon. For botak he now had a sub 5 cert to hang on the wall.

Congrats to Andrew who broke the sub 4 barrier.

Andrew 03:52min. Chip time : 3h:49m (SCSM 08 4h:28m)

William 04:12min. Chip time : 4h:09m (SCSM 08 4h:39m)

Libin 04:32min. Chip time : 4h:29m (SCSM 08 4h:54m)

Botak 04:40min. Chip time : 4h:37m (SCSM 08 5h:03m)

Xm only provide gun time finish.

My race stats

10 km : 01:02 (9.67kph)

21 km : 02: 10 (9.70kph)

30 km : 03:11 (8.85 kph)

42.195 km : 04:37 (8.50kph)

avg 9.14 kph

Question : Is there a secret for our drastic improvement in less then 30 days after SCSM 08?
Answer : The cool weather. Did i mentioned we are all dress in 2XU elite long tight?

In fact it was cold running the last 10 km which wind up and down along the coast line. I was out of steam and can't gather enough speed to generate the heat needed to counter the cold breeze blowing head on. But we were warmed by the extraordinary crowds that turn up to cheer us , they are out in full force in the last 10 km route giving us not only moral support, many stretching their arms out handling free water, tidbits, tau sar pao, biscuits, cookie, bananas etc.. I took one of the bananas and it was peel and ready to eat, touch your heart. Libin described it best : " it was like they had a mini buffet there to support us". The atmosphere was WOW....when can we seethis type of spontaneous crowd support in Singapore? We will be back next year aiming for another PB. A sub 4 dream?? botak, keep the dream alive!!!!!!!

Word of advise : When in Xiamen do what the hokkien do.

At Xiamen marathon, every runners were given 2 big and 1 small bib number. The big one were supposed to be pin at front and back of T-shirt and the small one for drop bag. Only andrew bothers to put on both bib. We only discovered at the finished line, those without bib on their back were DQ and not given the finisher T/Towel and medal. After explaning to the official that we were from oversea and oversea's races with only 1 bib, with a square face he said: "this is Xiamen, you follow our rules". Ai-say-men! see-gee-na, wanna law by law! i snapped back: "the race book stated all runners must race in the official T or face DQ, so half the field DQ? why they got medals?" We finally accepted their compromise, they gave us the medals without the fnisher T and finisher towel :((

6am, 3 jan 09 hotel lobby

7.30am starting point, 11 degree C

8.29am On your mark, Get set. We, the citizen of Singapore...

Botak at 21 km (2h:10m)

William at finish line (Andrew was too fast to be photo)

Libin charging finish line

Botak home run


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