I have participated in no fewer than 10 full marathon races, finishing most within 4 hours. The organization of KLIM is improving. However, the race course could have been more scenic. I have no other complaints, because I am of the opinion that to win, one has to win against all adversities whether lack of distance markers, not enough water station, or less-than-prefect organizing. We shouldn't expect to be pampered!

1. No water - unbelievable but true. I didn't get water until 15KM. The organizers are lucky no one died given the Malaysian heat - particularly given the number of Malay woman running fully covered.
2. Distances were not marked. After the 10K, I had no idea how far I'd gone. The course directors along the way didn't seem to know either.
3. Weird finish - such a hoot to watch the expressions when runners, thinking they were driving home to the finish, were suddenly directed (mind you less than 50 yards from the finish) to make one more loop to collect a silly blue string and then drive hard again to the finish line.

Everything was fine except for the fact that people who arrived later at water stations (for the 21KM run) did not get any water. It's really a shame because water is essential and the majority of the participants ran without bringing their own water, thinking that it would be available at the water stations. It is bad planning on the organizer's part and really not what the KL Marathon should be remembered for, especially since most people would compare it to the Singapore Marathon.

I was very satisfied with the organization. Not so much with the course.... Maybe it could be more scenic, at least for the 21K. That last lap is really unattractive in every sense. What definitely needs to be done is to make sure runners know where they are during the race. There were no KM signs after 10K for the half marathon. This could be a problem when you want to keep track of your performance KM by KM.

The medal was a bit small. The distance and timing of every 10 KM were not accurate, especially at 20 KM (it looked like we had gone more than 20 KM).

I ran the half marathon. I just wanted to note that the water supply at the first water station was inadequate; those who were at the back of the pack didnt get any water. Imagine running without the water you need to continue the race!!! Many runners (including myself) had to pick up the bottles thrown to the side of the road, and try to get the little water inside. There was also no support from the station crew to direct us or make an effort to provide a source of water for the slower runners. This situation became worse when the following station also had the same situation. This had to affect our performance, and it definitely hurt the organizers image! Towards the end of the race, however, there was plenty of water, although by that point, it was almost irrelevant.

This 2006 KLIM is very well organized. Starting at 5am is ideal, and not too hot running through the Lake Gardens towards the end of the race. I like the refreshments and sponging stations that were at 2 KM intervals after the 30 KM-mark. It would be good if more PowerBars/gels (or food) are supplied after 21KM, as we need more energy to help us last the full 42KM. Great job done by the organizers and volunteers, and a BIG "thank you" to all of them.

Hard to believe - a marathon without water - but it is true. They ran out of water at 5KM, 7.5KM, 10KM and 12.5KM. My first access to water came at 15KM for the half marathon. My only access to sports drinks came at 20KM (why even bother?).

Runners in the back half had to resort to picking up half-empty, used bottles or go without (extremely dangerous given the Malaysia heat).

Interestingly, there didn't seem to be many empty bottles along the way. This led runners to speculate that due to corruption the water was never there.

I understand that past year races were better organized, but I certainly won't try this one again. It is a pretty sad state when an international marathon cannot manage to serve runners water.

I am a runner from overseas and the 2005 AmBank Kuala Lumpur Marathon is my 7th marathon and the nearest overseas marathon just outside of Singapore.

The 2005 marathon is very well organized. From the collection of bib number to the actual conduct of the event. Perhaps this is also due to past experience. I'm particularly impressed with the amount of water stations being put out there. Every 2KM mark (just over 1 mile) you would be able to find a water station.

However, the route is not very scenic (this is the capital of Malaysia!). One thing to stress, though, is the starting and finishing at the Medeka Stadium is a great experience. It is also very grand and I'm glad even though the cut-off time is 6 hours, they still remain open well after that. (This was GREAT for those who struggled to the end).

There are only 3 things that the organizer should take note of. The first is to make the expo a bigger event. It is so extremely small, measuring less than 50M by 50M! Secondly, the start time at 5am should be moved earlier, to either 4:30am or even 4am for the marathon event. This is because this part of the world is so near to equator that even before the sun comes out, the heat (and especially the humidity) could literally kill you. Last but not least, make sure the KM marker is done correctly and make sure the road marshals were briefed correctly. (I almost couldn't achieve the cut-off time as 1 marshal told me the wrong distance).

Also the website address is not updated. And there is no contact email if you have a query. With a bigger expo and an earlier start time, I'm sure the 2006 event would be an even bigger success.

KL International Marathon, March 4, 2001
- Registration: location impossible to find for a stranger to KL; unfriendly staff, not helpful, unknowledgeable (on water/replenishment stops, aid stations, route map, etc.); race number printed on cloth bib (was it a kids' race?); too much bureaucracy.
- Official 'Guidelines': printed on 4 flimsy pages which disintegrated in the rain; route map was illegible and useless (the Web-map was just as bad); some instructions were laughable: 'must wear official t-shirt', 'drinking at unofficial stations will not be entertained'
- Check-In: Given a 'report card' to hand in at starting area - don't know the purpose when running no. bib would do; another bureaucratic fumble.
- Check-Out: 'Luggage cards' were issued for checked-in belongings - don't know the purpose when running no. bib would do; would have had to carry it for 26 miles! I threw mine away.
- Check Points: marathoners were supposed to be given two tokens on the course for hand-in at finish; this didn't happen, instead a piece of string/banner was tied round one's neck and collected at the finish...strange, maybe I could have hung myself if I didn't finish!
- Transport: to use LRT, pay only 75% fare with running bib - where in hell am I to carry my Ringgits for the fare?
- Replenishment Drink: I choked on the CARBONATED drink provided on the course; I think it was called Isotonic 100 and should be BANNED from races - get me some Gatorade!
- Course: It was pitch-black on part of the course on Jalan Lapangan Terbang (near the old airport) and I tripped twice in potholes! Worse, the downtown traffic jams near Jalan Raja Laut and Jalan Raja Muda with fumes spewing out of cars, buses and trucks into the face of runners - I had seriously considered abandoning the race at this point - it was too dangerous.
- Finish Area: couldn't find any replenishment drink which I needed in my dehydrated state; luckily, I had a bottle of saline solution in my checked-in baggage (when I found it).
- Baggage Pick-up: had trouble finding it; when I did, it was unattended and I could have walked away with some nice stuff!