If you are a seasoned runner where yearly you’ve ran a number of races, the race kit/pack collection as you may feel, is part of ‘the’ event. The anxiety and nervousness if you would like to put it, starts when you attend the race kit collection — bumping into running and training buddies, ex colleagues etc.
The face which you will wear on race kit collection cum race morning, depends on your level of readiness and confidence. Here is where you need to take a step back before you get lost in the psyche of all this. Remember, essentially its a race against yourself despite running among the thousands. ‘What’s the total number of participants?’ , I over heard as I was standing in the queue just now — it’s 35,000 runners in total for all distances , mentioned in the official web site and press releases.
Just to share with you a view of a typical marathon major events see below for the total number of participants for all categories :-
London Marathon : 40,382 (2017) [total applicants: 253,930 (2018)]
Tokyo Marathon : 36,648 (2016) [total applicants: 309,824]
America Chicago Marathon : 40,000 [capped at 40,000]
Berlin Marathon : 46,950 (2016)
Closer to Malaysia, Singapore boasted 46,000 runners in 2016. The island nation holds this event annually, also under the Standard Chartered banner.
Back to Kuala Lumpur.
The race kit collection takes place from today (18th May 2017) until Saturday (20th May 2017). It is held at Hall 6, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. If you are familiar with the area, you might have noticed a huge white tent outside the convention centre — well, that is Hall 6.
If you are walking, you can walk straight towards the tent (see pic below), else if you came through KL Convention Centre, chances are you will need to take 2 escalator trips (1 down, and 1 up) and pass through Hall 4 and 5 before heading out to the outdoor and ushered to a small flight of stairs to reach Hall 6. KL Convention Centre staff are on the ground, so you can always check with them the race kit collection venue.
On to Hall 6
As the biggest canvas tent I have seen, the set up is pretty compact, no corners are wasted. Very good organisation of layout with race officials/staffs there to meet your queries.
There are a series of pens for different categories; 5km, 10km, Honda Half Marathon and the Full Marathon. So make sure you are in the right queue.
Things you should bring to collect your race kits :-
- Original IC/Passport
- A printed confirmation slip
If you are collecting on the behalf of someone, you will still need the confirmation slip with the runner’s consent. Click here for exact details.
The queue typically will be long, but with the dedicated staffs backing the collection counters, waiting time is not that long. My queue this afternoon was quite fast. So kuddos to the organisers ! I waited about 15 minutes (+/-) before I reached the counter. And about 2 minutes (+/-) for my pack.
Sports gear expo
Just right after you exit the race kit collection area, there will be a series of booths with all the sports gears which you need in case you need any, or some more. These include;
- Lucozade
- Seiko
- High5Sports Nutrition
- Brooks
- Triathlon Shop
- Ash be Nimble
- Salon Pas
- SEA Games
- 2XU
- Ironman Asia
- Sunstar Ora2(Japan based dental products)
- Reclaim (Sports Insurance)
- Lorna Jane
- Korea Tourism Organization (promoting 4 major marathons in Korea)
- and many more !
So do bring some cash or credit card if you would like to get shopping at the expo !
There was a even a reflexology corner by the Malaysia Association of the Blind just next to the race kit collection area. You can get a foot massage there for just RM25. Their website here.
Prudential Healthy Life Expo
This is the last section you will pass through before exiting Hall 6. Well, I at least passed through as I was rushing back to work. Interesting activities and booths :-
- Health screening (complimentary)
- Cycling simulation challenge (there were road bikes on site. oh how tempting!)
Check out the cycling simulation challenge — winner stands a chance to win a free entry qualification for the PrudentialRide London-Surrey 2017 – a world-class cycling festival with return economy flight tickets a 2 nights accommodation sponsored by Prudential. Now, beat that ! Anyways, do check out the Prudential Healthy Life Expo !
All in all, it did not took me long to complete my round at the race kit collection. Plenty of interesting things to see (and buy)–but I was rushing for time. If you have not collected your race kit, give yourself about 1 hour (1.5 hours max) if you really want to browse through the expos after collecting your race kit.
And of course, don’t forget to say your customary Hello (and selfies now..) if you see you running buddies. You’d be surprised to see the old faces resurfacing again. Running is a time-less sports, you just keep coming back.
All the best for your race day. On you marks, get set…..and Gooooooooooo !
Yours in writing,
missjewelz
18 May 2017, Kuala Lumpur
