SCKLM 2009 Race Pack Collection

I got my SCKLM 2009 race pack today during long lunch break. In it, there is a running vest, a small towel, runner bib with timing device (RFID), runner's guide book, a back pack bag and some promotional items. For full marathon runners, there is one PowerBar that you can claim at PowerBar tent (not in the race pack). The PowerBar entitlement is not communicated to the runners at the race pack collection counters.

Queue for full marathon race pack.

Queue for half marathon race pack.

Queue for 10km race pack (most crowded).

Anyway, my first impression of the whole collection process was bad. When I first got there, there were already long queues and the queues weren't moving at all. Then we found out that the power to the tents was down. This caused the temporary computer network to be down as well. Without the online computer network, the volunteers cannot do anything. They were following procedures according to what they were told, i.e. they could not do anything until the system is up again. We waited for about 30 minutes to no avail and decided to go for lunch first near the Masjid Jamek train station some 300m away.

After lunch, we headed back to Dataran Merdeka and saw the queue moving albeit quite slowly. Anyway we decided to queue and waited for about another 30 minutes to collect our packs. BP went off earlier because he got an appointment to catch, so he left behind his details for me to collect on his behalf. I also collected for Lam. Lam told me that most likely he cannot make it to the run due to some personal commitment. I still asked him to try his best to make it to the starting line since he had trained for the run.

Anyway, I felt the whole process can be improved. There were many people collecting for others. Some people collected 20 packs, some 5 to 10. There should have a counter for group collection. Those people who come to collect for their pack only should not be waiting long because of some people collecting 20 packs in front of him.

Another thing is the power down issue. They should have power backup immediately and not leave the runners waiting. Before I arrived at Dataran, it was raining, I could imagine the frustration of the runners who were queuing in the rain and the system went down! Luckily for us, the rain stopped before we arrived.

So for those runners out there who have yet to collect your pack, you can go before 8:00pm today or from 10:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday. Don't collect for your friends from another category. You will end up queuing a few times. Only collect for those who are running in the same category as you, unless you wouldn't mind queuing under the rain or sun for long period as warm-up to your race.