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6AM: Edward Hui and Gang began setting up the reception area on the 3rd Fl
of the TST Mariners' Club. They are expecting 192 runners to show up within
the next 45 minutes, checking in their names and dropping off bags of
belongings for later pick-up at the Wanchai Stadium. The way things are, it
would mean total chaos and a lot of screaming very soon.
6:30AM: Runners start streaming in, the place is bustling now. Some are
diligently stretching, some obviously still struggling to call on their
half-asleep bodies to attention. Lau Pau managed to share a room with 'some
friend' at the Salisbury Road YMCA to ensure himself not missing the event
(hope he made good use of the neighborhood proximity). Class of 82 had a
decent contingent of runners this year. Everyone seemed to share the same
story about how the wives pretended to sleep through so that they wouldn't
have to drive their hubbies at such ungodly hour (although my wife was kind
enough to avail herself and insisted on driving me out that morning. Thanks
babe!)
6:35AM: Edward is noticeably stressed over people still not picking up
their pace and getting ready. He's standing on top of tables and hollering
out orders now. Group picture time: The HM, Tommy and Sylvia, our IPP
Wilfred, Alex Ko, Herbert Hui, Casam plus all others managed to stand still
for a couple of shots before going out into the break of dawn.
6:45AM: The race starts. Imagine 18,000 people all standing shoulder to
shoulder and starting at the same time. Thought I saw some midgets 'eating'
elbows off those taller runners. The race starts on Nathan Road/Tung Ying
Building, left down Austin Road, right and down towards the Western Tunnel,
onto the Sheung Wan ramp, up and down the flyover and underpass towards
Central until hitting Harcourt Road near City Hall, final stretch towards
the finish line at the Wanchai Convention Center service road.
8:00AM: Wanchai Stadium. Most runners are back and sucking down water and
bananas like monkeys now. Stories about who fell and who pulled-up are
flying as well as sharing details about the killer-ramps...looks like
everyone is just happy to finish the race.
Needless to say, this is not my usual Sunday pass time but the energy that
you feed off from everyone around you can become quite an adrenaline rush.
DSOBA agreed to sponsor each of the 192 runners $100 at this year's event.
Judging from the enthusiastic participation, hopefully there will be even
more runners coming out to support the worthy cause. Word of advice: Start
training early.
Victor Tan (80)
(02/03)
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