Penang Starwalk 2013

Date: 15 September 2013
Venue: Penang Times Square, Jalan Datuk Keramat, Penang


Detail news here or click on image.

..from TheStar: Metro (North) @ Friday 28 June 2013

Update: Starwalk Penang 2012

Date: 17 September 2012 | 6:30am | Monday (public holiday)
Venue: Birch House, Penang Times Square, Penang
Distance: 10km walk



Registration for Starwalk Penang 2012 is open. Hardcopy available in TheStar today (North Edition only?). Anyway pdf format available at Forms and Events section.

News: Penang Starwalk is back

PENANG Starwalk returns for its 36th edition this year with new attractions added to the heritage route introduced last year to raise awareness on the rich culture of the state.



The event this time will fall on a Monday which is Sept 17, a replacement public holiday for Malaysia Day that falls on Sunday.

This year’s walk incorporates a heritage trail which is slightly different from last year’s route but it will still cover major scenic sites such as Fort Cornwallis, City Hall, Kapitan Keling Mosque and Sri Maha Mariamman Temple.
..
..
..Registration is open from July 16.

..read more.

Ipoh Starwalk 2012

Date: 17 June 2012 | 6:30am | Sunday
Venue: Stadium Indera Mulia
Distance: 7km and 10km
Contact: 05-253 0402

In 2004, I took part in Ipoh Starwalk with Cikgu, Alauddin and Jasmin in stroller. Registration form available at http://runnwalk.blogspot.com/

..TheStar newspaper

Report: Starwalk Penang 2011

Date: 18 September 2011 | Sunday | 7:15am
Venue: Penang Times Square
Distance: 6km (non-competition)

My company sponsored 4 unit of motorcycles as grand prize for lucky draw, in return they gave free slot for staffs who interested. I registered under 10km walk competition category others non-competition. With 10 participants plus a few more as booth assistants, we stay at Sunway Hotel. Only 100m to starting line - Time Square, Penang.

Earlier night in hotel room, i realized they pick-up only t'shirt and register coupon - no bib# for me. Calling and trying to get bib#.. no help. Then I tepuk dahi... Danny my running friend at Bandar Laguna Merbok texted me and offered his bib# 2 days ago but I declined.

So @6:30am, I was watching the flag-off of competition category from my hotel room :(

I changed to non-competition and took a wrist-band at registration counter. I met some SP runners friends whom I not seen for long time. Then I meet-up with my secondary school friend, ex-company old friend and regular running friends. Yeah! I thinks not bad taking non-competition category...

I was standing in middle of the crowd. Nearly 20,000 participants. The largest ever participants in Starwalk. Can not do race walk. Just small step of walking and sembang2.

Seem I'm in non-competition... I was thinking about running.

I ran until Padang Kota Lama (Esplanade) then got passport stamped. Previously Starwalk start/finish at PISA, Bayan Baru. To celebrate Penang city in UNESCO's World Heritage list, TheStar bring back the start-up location to Georgetown.

For 6km non-competition, we required to walk passing at least 19 heritage building in Georgetown and get 9 stamped on small booklet/passport of each heritage building visited. Some of them including the E&O Hotel, Town Hall, City Hall, Fort Cornwallis, St George's Church, Goddess of Mercy Temple, Sri Mahamariamman Temple and Kapitan Keling Mosque.

I got only 2 chopped. The rest.. I just ran and site seeing. Ran in busy road of Penang early morning.. Syiok. Macam raja jalan.



@Finished line, there were free flow of drinks and cereals. My stomach full of milo, 100Plus, Sunquick and Nestle cereals. And to cut short this report I'm not a lucky draw winner...hmmm

..and congrats to Aiman Cheah, the 7th winner in Men Jr. Veteran category. Read his report here.

Some photos from my friend's cam and official result.

Report: Penang Starwalk 2011

By Aiman Cheah

Date: 18 September 2011 | Sunday | 6:30am
Venue: Penang Times Square
Distance: 10km Category: Men Junior Veteran
Position: 7
Time: 1:11:57

Very lucky indeed to be able to get a medal. I have been struggling with my form after a long rest. I was very much off the pace in my training since 4 September. On 11 September I only managed to clock 2:45 per lap at MPSJ stadium.

I guessed my ex-student had lifted my morale. I was training on Friday afternoon. She stopped me to share a good news. She will be called to the Bar this Friday. This batch of students are really fantastic. Last year, I met two - one a pilot for Airasia and another a mechatronic engineer. The best part is she offered to give me a lift… I thought I suppose to work out for the final preparation for this race.


Penang Starwalk participants gathering in front of Penang Times Square before the flag-off. Some 20,000 people turned up for the event yesterday, making it the biggest ever. Source - thestar.com.my

I am not sure if the new location is better than PISA. I find it very difficult to get near the starting line for the start. I was held up for quite some time before able to make my move. Perhaps, I would have done slightly better if I had the opportunity to be on pole!

Oh, I also met my host, En. Haris. I thought he took part in the race too. He went on the capacity of the company representative.

This is my first time going to Penang on Firefly. Thanks to my colleague who managed to book me the ticket when firefly offered RM0.01 fare! I took Metrobus from Pasar Seni which cost me RM2.50 to Subang Airport. Cheaper and faster going to Penang compared to going by bus.

Thanks to Mr Aplaidoo for arranging the accommodation and I still owe Mr Suresh for the room...

Result: Starwalk Penang 2011

Office-mate enjoy breakfast at pit-stop. Penang Starwalkers continue walking behind.

Official result in PDF format.

Men Open

Update: Penang Starwalk 2011

An update from previous post. Now open for registration - sites.thestar.com.my/starwalk


Courtesy of TheStar

Heritage route for walk This year’s Penang Starwalk to start from Penang Times Square on Sept 18

AN exciting new route is in store for Penang Starwalk 2011 participants in conjunction with The Star’s 40th anniversary this year.

This year’s walk incorporates a heritage route that will pass heritage sites such as Fort Cornwallis, City Hall, St George’s Church, Goddess of Mercy Temple, Kapitan Keling Mosque and Sri Mariamman Temple.

The event, to be held on Sept 18, aims to bring an awareness to the rich historical and cultural aspects of George Town.

The starting point will be at Penang Times Square on Jalan Datuk Keramat. The route for non-competition walkers is 6km long while it is 10km for competition walkers.

Competition walkers will be flagged off at 6.30am while non-competition walkers will start at 7.15am...

..read more at TheStar: Metro, North edition.

Report: Ipoh Starwalk 2011

By Aiman Cheah

Date: 19 June 2011 | Sunday | 7:00am
Venue: Stadium Indera Mulia, Ipoh, Perak
Distance:10km
Category: C ( 40 years and above and below 50 )
Position: 13
Time: 1:07:35

Second time unlucky in a row - 13! Anyway the time was slightly better than last year.

Consider that my foot was still hurt - no idea what the cause was, it was a good performance.

I had a good pace up to the 23rd minute where Lim Thean Seng was just about 20 metres ahead. Kept following him until the 48th minute and overtook him briefly. Less than 10 seconds perhaps, and was left by him again.

It was quite frustrating as I was dealing with fitness and the discomfort caused by the pain on my foot.

I was a little irritated 100m towards the finishing line when a competitor who failed to overtake me told me that I was running! I replied angrily

"Mesti lari kalau mau menang!"

He tried two more times to overtake me but I stepped up my pace. He was very mad that he did not even look at me when I extended my hand! I would be going for the JDP 2nd and 3rd Circuit in Kuala Lumpur and Malaysian Masters Open in Alor Setar to reconfirm that I need not run to get better results.

I am not likely to be the winner because others are much faster - better techniques. And yes, they need not run either. I do not earn a living in racewalking. It's just my passion to racewalk and I'll abide by the racewalking rules - no knee bending and floating, let alone running!


Men open winners: Sim (centre) flanked by Suresh (left) and Thineskumar after winning the category during the Ipoh Starwalk 2011 at Stadium Indera Mulia in Ipoh Sunday. - Picture courtesy of TheStar


Men Junior Veteran Results - Courtesy of YuSong

Penang Starwalk 2011

Date: 18 September 2011
Venue: Penang Times Square, Penang



Penang Starwalk 2011 promises more excitement this year as participants will be enjoying the city’s beauty under new routes for both the non-competition and competition categories. The starting line will be switched to Penang Times Square.

The walkers shall walked through Georgetown heritage landmarks such as Fort Cornwallis, Masjid Kapitan Keling, Goddness of Mercy Temple, Cheah Kongsi, Islamic Museum, Sri Mariamman Temple, St George's Church and many more.

..and they will introduce a special category in Penang Starwalk 2011. More detail..

Ipoh Starwalk 2011

Date: 19 June 2011 | Sunday
Venue: Ipoh, Perak
Distance: 7km and 10km
Fee: RM10 non-competition and RM15 for competition category

There will be new routes for both the competition and non-competition categories of the walk this year. Entries for the walk opens now and closing date for entries is May 20 for the competition category and June 3 for the non-competition category.

Participants will get a T-shirt and goodie bag each while those who complete the walk within the stipulated time stand to win attractive prizes.


Click for XL size

Those interested can register at The Star’s new Ipoh office at 8-10, Lorong Chung Thye Phin from 9am to 5.15pm on weekdays, except public holidays. The office will also be open for registration this weekend from 10am to 2pm. For details, call 05-2530402.

Report: Penang Starwalk 2010

By Aiman Cheah

Date: 12 December 2010 | Sunday | 7.00am
Venue: Jalan Mahsuri (PISA), Penang
Category: 10km - Men Junior Veterans (35 - 44 years old)
Result: 1:00.55mins and 5th position

This event is the 'final' event of the year for me. I was in good shape after all the 'hard' training for the Asia Masters.

It was raining heavily when I wanted to go out of the hotel at 6.00 a.m. I waited until around 6.10 a.m. and was lucky because the rain had reduced to drizzling.

There were not too many people around the assembly areas like usual due to the rain. After reporting, I went to the mobile toilet. Luckily, I need not queue. It was still too early to warm up and I waited until 6.40 a.m.

Could not really do proper warm up because of the drizzle. Just do some brisk walking and stretching with the umbrella opened! I don't quite like it if the shoes get wet before the race.


Some 15,000 walkers brace the morning shower in Penang to accomplish a common mission - to complete a 10km exercise. have fun and possible walk home with trophies and fantastic prizes - courtesy of Star Online Metro North

I was a little unlucky because I queued at the wrong place. The barriers were not totally removed and it took me some time to get to the starting line. I was about 20metres from the starting line and it took about 15 seconds before I reached the line after the race was flagged off. It took another 2 minutes before I could make my move.

When I stepped up the pace, my left hamstring hurt. That was it. I might not complete the race this time, I thought. I slowed down and went with the flow of the crowds. I had to adjust to the speed not to worsen the pain.

I had planned to 'pit' at the water station and when I slowed down, my right hamstring felt hurt. I took my power gel and a cup of 100 Plus. There was no mineral water provided. I guessed I stopped closed to 30 seconds.

I had to go after those who had overtaken me, but I could not go fast as both my legs were in pain. I endured the pain and maintained my pace. It was a great relief after I successfully went over the 'hill'.

There were many D and E walkers ahead of me and I tried to match their pace, at the same time I was also worried if I had to abandon the race if my legs refused to move!

I went all out and overtook one walker just before the finishing line. Looking at my watch - 1hr 01mins 55sec, I was very happy as I should be at least in the 10-15 finishers.

I came to know that I was 10th and the person who talked to me told me that he was 9th and I was just behind him. I was happy with my performance considering the condition I was in.

I went back to the hotel to freshen up and then returned to PISA for the variety show.

I must thank Peter James Back of Singapore for motivating me towards the finishing. He even offered a few tips to help me improve. He is very passionate about race walking and certainly enjoys competition as I am still very very far away from his level.


D'Starz group from let's Dance Studio grooving to the beat - courtesy of Star Online Metro North


Samba dancers heating up the stage during the variety show - courtesy of Star Online Metro North

I think it is high time for the organizer to acknowledge the boys' and the veterans' effort in the event. I think the senior veterans and diamond veterans deserved a higer prize money and an increased in the finisher medals.

It will be quite frustrating when we do better than the others but do not get the reward that others get.


Boys result

Click here for all men category result in pdf - courtesy of Yu Song

Penang Starwalk 2010 form

Penang Starwalk 2010

Free movie tickets for early birds

THE long-awaited 10km Penang Starwalk is back. And early birds who sign up early are in for a movie treat.

Entries open on Oct 18 and the first 300 participants to register will each receive a Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) ticket on a first-come-first-served basis. The movie tickets are only redeemable at GSC Gurney Plaza.

A total of 150 tickets will be available at Star Northern Hub at 202, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah in Bayan Lepas and another 150 at the newspaper’s George Town office at 15, Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Keling.

Competition walkers will be flagged off at 7am from the Penang International Sports Arena while non-competition walkers will start from SMK Raja Tun Uda in Jalan Tengah at 7.30am on Dec 12.

Registration fee is RM8 for non-competition walkers and RM12 for competition walkers. All participants will each receive a T-shirt and a goodie bag.

Participants who complete the walk within two hours will be eligible for a lucky contest that offers attractive prizes.

Those in the competition category who complete the walk within two hours will also get a participation certificate.

The top three schools which register the most number of students will also enjoy special incentives.

Entry forms will be available from Oct 18, online at http://thestar.com.my/starwalk/ and will also be printed in The Star national edition every Monday and in StarMetro North on Wednesdays and Fridays.

For enquiries, call Nazri at 012-473 2969 or Khoo at 019-478 6813.

Report: Ipoh Starwalk 2010

By Aiman Cheah

Venue: Stadium Indera Mulia, Ipoh, Perak
Date: 6 June 2010 (Sunday)
Time: 7.00a.m.


Mr Lim Thean Seng (C2049) was among the front walkers to break from the group
Picture courtesy of the Star/Star online

I supposed to be more prepared for this event, unfortunately the weather was not on my side......it rained whenever I needed to do my work out.

I was a little disappointed with Merloon Hotel. Can't blame them because occupancy is always 100% for Ipoh Starwalk. There is no point of booking rooms because they won't reserve the rooms that you want. Anyway, it is still good for walk-in guests. I hope I don't have to stay there any more in future. This should be the last time staying there. The place is no longer convenient because the event has been moved from Dataran Ipoh to Indera Mulia Stadium.

Coming back to the walkathon, I did quite well considering the way I prepared for the walk. Unbelievable. The only training or rather straining I had was a day before the walk. No chance to train at all because the weather followed my schedule! I did 1:07:14 for 10.5km. That was very good and I was confident of clocking a slightly better time in the event the following day.

There was a little bit of miscommunication with Mr Naidu early morning. All the Starwalk participants left the hotel as early as 5.45a.m. Mr Naidu was supposed to go to the stadium with me but unfortunately, he went back to his room. I told him, I would would meet him in 5 minute's time when he gave me a call.

I took more than 5 minutes to get prepared. When I took my van it was close to 6 a.m. I just went one round in front of the hotel and there was no one to be seen. At 6.00 sharp I decided to leave thinking that Mr Naidu had left.

I reached the stadium before a quarter past six. Still ample time since reporting closed at 6.45 a.m. I did not feel so bad when I met Naidu at the stadium and he told me I had actually left him ... he got a lift from a fellow participant.

There were not too many people in the competition catergory this year. Any way, I was too slow to move to the starting line, only managed to be on the 10th row from the grid. I would prefer to be a little in front.

Fortunately, I was not blocked. In fact my start was just too good. I was in front of many established walkers during the first few minutes. However, that did not last long because of my fitness level. I was struggling after about 20 minutes. I drank water at the water station.

Luckily, I felt better and began to catch up with other walkers. I was aiming to overtake Yu Song's daughter. I had lost to her last year - never mind in different category. I caught up with her after about 55 minutes. I was struggling to maintain my pace. I had to ask for water from the St John/Red Crescent on duty twice after the water station.

I went all out in the last 100 metres to overtake one participant in my category. If he had walked faster, I would have given up. Luckily for him, both of us were out of medal contention. I was 13th. It was a fat chance to get a medal.

When the results were released, I was promoted to 12th with a time of 1:08:47. The time would still stand at 12th in the Men Category. I was some 3 minutes faster than last year but 4 minutes slower than in 2007 and 2008. I hope medal draught does not continue next year.

At present, it will be a Herculean task for me to give a strong fight to my competitors in the coming Malaysian Masters Open in a fortnight. Lim Kok Cheong was 8 minutes ahead of me (1st in my category) and K. Jayapal (4th in my category) was 6 minutes ahead of me. I hope to at least maintain my fitness level to enable me to fight for the last podium finish.

Ipoh Starwalk 2010

Form available to be downloaded from thestar website. Hit it on image below!



..thanks to kh tan

Ipoh Starwalk 2010

Date: 6 June 2010 | Sunday | 7:00am
Venue: Ipoh, Perak

More detail will be post soon.

Penang Starwalk 2009 Route Map

There are different starting line for competition and fun-walk. Of-course I will be standing at SMK Raja Tun Uda :(

Again.. I willing to pay double for any men or men junior veteran competitive bib those who can not make it on that day - text me @0124287801 or comment here.

News: Penang Starwalk back in December

From: TheStar - Metro (North Edition)
Date: 20 October 2008

REGISTRATION for Penang’s premier sporting event, Penang Starwalk 2008, opens today.

Early birds who sign up for the Dec 14 walk at The Star offices in Bayan Lepas and George Town, Penang, will receive a mystery gift while stocks lasts.

Registration is open from 9.15am to 5pm on weekdays, except public holidays, until Nov 21 at The Star Northern Hub at 202, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah in Bayan Lepas or the newspaper’s town office at 15, Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Keling in George Town.

The walk, jointly organised by Star Publications (M) Bhd and Penang Amateur Athletics Association, will be flagged off at 7am at Penang International Sports Arena (Pisa) by Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas.

It is divided into two categories - competition and non-competition - with both covering a distance of 10km.

The competition category is divided into nine groups - Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Men’s Junior Veteran (40 years and above but less than 50), Men’s Senior Veteran (50 and above but less than 60), Men’s Diamond Veteran (60 and above), Women’s Veteran (35 and above but less than 50), Women’s Senior Veteran (50 and above), Boys and Girls (13 and above but less than 20 for both).

The registration fee is RM8 for non-competition walkers and RM12 for competition walkers. All participants will receive a T-shirt and a goodie bag.

The top three winners in each group of the competition category will receive cash prizes. All participants who complete the walk within two hours will be eligible for a lucky draw that offers attractive prizes, including five motorcycles. Those in the competition category who complete the walk within two hours will also get a participation certificate.

Entry forms can be downloaded from http://thestar.com.my/starwalk/starwalk08.pdf

Report Ipoh Starwalk 2008

By Aiman Cheah Tiong Chap

Venue: Stadium Indera Mulia, Ipoh
Date: 15 June 2008 (Sunday)
Time: 7 a.m.
Distance: 10km

I woke up at 5 a.m. After such along time, without the help of the alarm clock. However, I was not feeling too fresh. The day before I had woken up at 4 a.m. to fetch my wife's cousin at Hentian Putra and could not sleep after returning home at around half past four. Then went for the Adventure Charity Run and drove to Ipoh. My son woke up at half past twelve and three for milk. Luckily, he slept immediately after feeding, allowing me to continue my sleep.

I left the Merloon Hotel at 6 and pick up my FTAAA counterpart and with the help of Mr Naidu, we made our way to the stadium. We proceeded to the place where competition walkers were assembled. Most of the participants became restless when they were still being kept in the stadium at a quarter past seven. I guessed the flag off was a little more than half past seven. It had not happened for Ipoh Starwalk since its inception in 2004.

I had a good position for the start - beginning on the third row. Like usual, I was way behind immediately after flagging off. However, I was quite lucky because the heave traffic did not really obstruct me. I thought I did quite well as i caught up with most of the familiar faces.

When I looked at my watch, I had actually pressed it twice! So no time to indicate how I had been doing. I ran out of steam after about half an hour. Could not longer chase the participants in front but fortunately could maintain my position. However, towards the end, I could not hold my position. Anyway, those who overtook me were not from my C category so it did not affect my postion. I ended up 7th with the time of 1hr 03mins 39 secs.

Actually I was disappointed as I had aimed for a sub 60 mins finish. I could have made it if I were a bit lucky. The last two days of my preparation was disrupted because I had to take my van for service. I did not expect that it would be a whole day event! So no training on Thursday and on Friday, UM swimming pool was not available - only for women! I had overlooked the schedule. I had done 1hr 03mins 49secs for 10.5km on Wednesday and was on course for a sub 1hr because the distance for the race is slightly less than 10km. Yu Song was 4th in 58mins 49secs. Looking forward for the Penang Starwalk to give him a run for his money.