Energizer Night Race 2011: Health & Safety - Unhealthy & Unsafe

Runners run races for many different reasons. Some runners race as a motivation to be healthy or to lose weight. Some runners want to visit new and exciting places. Some runners challenge themselves for personal bests. Some runners are so good, they challenge for the prize money. While most avid runners run, just because they run - it’s a ritual.

In their bid for an entry into the record books as Malaysia’s largest night run, Energizer Night Race 2011 (ENR) has something on offer for every type of runners. The venue on its own, persuaded many of whom who would’ve never in their wildest imagination walk even for a kilometre, voluntarily sign up for a 5Km race. Now that’s an amazing pulling power. The ENR organiser just simply had it all.

However organising an athletic event is no small feat. An event of the ENR’s proportion, with an estimated 10,000 runners, demands an even bigger organisational effort. And in this regard, they have failed… err in epic proportion.

Since a lot has been written in detail of the run itself, I figure let’s not go through that process again. If you really need a detailed low-down, go read Arif’s very detailed and articulate write up here.

As someone who signs up for every run that comes his way, I welcome every single new event in our shores, regardless how big or small. My expectations are simple. All I ask is for events to be smooth-running and safe. Health & Safety is BIG. Anything else is a welcomed bonus. But HEALTH & SAFETY FIRST. 

So here goes…

• First - Tunnel of Death. What on earth were you thinking?! Since there were an expected 10,000 runners, plus supporters, plus crew, wouldn’t it make more sense for there to be a wide exit and entry point? And it isn’t as if there wasn’t any. There’s a perfectly wide access road that leads directly into the pit area. It will totally eliminate the need for runners to walk a mile out, and more importantly eliminate the possibilities of runners being buried in an unventilated tunnel, with all possibilities of stampede during the mad rush. In fact my first instinctive idea on that day, was to come in through this road, and I was blocked by the security. This part of the circuit has ample parking space both inside and outside of the area. But of course, you guys had to put a huge redundant stage on that empty space.

• Next - Propper Direction. Now looking at a map, and running the course is an entirely different thing. Yeah I know, thank you marshal for pointing out that there’s already a map online, but come on dude, you wouldn’t go on google map, remember the map and drive for 5 hours (that’s how long most people take to complete a marathon) just off that memory. Without propper direction, runners would be sent to chaos, one say this way, the other goes that way. In a state of chaos… well we all know what happened, we got labelled hooligans for that.

• Traffic Safety. As most people were leaving (organisers included, shame on you), majority of marathon runners were still out on the course, forced to deal with the short-distance-runners’ mad rush home. Now, there’s a good reason why most if not all other events begin their marathon distance event well ahead of the faster events. And it does not help that the road became so narrow due to cars parked on the roadside. I raise my hand here - guilty. I parked by the roadside because the RELA woman made me. I did not bring any cash with me. I got my debit card and I got my phone, no cash. My car’s been smashed before, so no thank you. Not again. But you guys wanted to make more money. You just had to charge for parking. A painful RM10. Unannounced. Wasn’t clearly indicated anywhere. But there was a charge. You people are real greedy. So yes, the roads which weren’t close to traffic in the first place, is now even narrower because of cars parked by the roadside.

• Medics. I did not see any on the course. Nuff said.

• Lastly WATER. Just to give an idea what the IAAF rule book says:

  (a) Water and other suitable refreshments shall be available at the start and finish of all races.

  (b) For all events up to and including 10km, water only drinking / sponging shall be provided at suitable intervals of approximately 2-3km if weather conditions warrant such provision.

  (c) For all events longer than 10km, refreshment stations shall be provided at approximately every 5km. In addition, water only drinking / sponging stations shall be placed approximately midway between the refreshment stations or more frequently if weather conditions warrant such provision.

  Now in plain sentence - there should be drinking water at the start and the end of the run, and at least every 2.5Km on the course. Water at the start line was priced at RM3 per bottle. Water at the finish line is almost non-existent. Water on the course, sparse at best. Lack of liquid for runners could cause very serious injuries that may even be fatal. You guys could’ve had blood on your hands. Count yourselves lucky nobody was seriously or permanently injured because of your negligence.

On Monday, two days after the run, Energizer as the title sponsor has come out with an appology announcement, and their regret at how things have gone totally wrong. They’ve also offered a full refund to all runners. It’s unfortunate something that started and meant well ended being a liability for the company. Their action is commendable. But the organiser, Expose Media has to come out and answer for their neglect of runner’s safety. Thorough investigations must be made by the governing bodies. The lives and safety of runners should not be put in danger by incompetence organiser.

Many of these kids are coming off worn and excited from running their first race. Sadly even after being made to queue for almost a kilometre, they came off empty handed, and even labelled rowdy.

In their attempt at regainig control at the end of the 5.5Km and 10Km run, Expose Media, led by their Director, Josie (she introduced herself loud and clear along with her phone number over the PA system), were being really harsh on the runners. These runners who are mostly coming off excited, from their maiden race, was labelled as hooligans. Quite frankly Josie, if you had ever ran a race before, you’d know the last thing you’d want to do is to be going on a rampage. Most people would just want to sit somewhere quiet and regain some energy, consume some callory, and replenish all the liquid lost. Standing around, fighting for a silly goody bag, that is just unimaginable. For all 5 years I’ve been running, I’ve never seen anything that would even come close to a protest, let alone chaos. But Josie, congratulations, for that, you have won yoursef a place in the record books. Just what you wanted.