Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Bukit Kiara @ TTDI Trail Running

This is the first time that I do a trail running at Bukit Kiara @ TTDI on Thursday, 1 September (which is a national holiday). For a change, the organizer is Aleximon Lee – a youthful looking, friendly, humble and jovial guy.
.
Arriving at the destination before 7:00 a.m. as suggested by Aleximon Lee at Taman Rimba Kiara (next to Plaza IBM, now Plaza VADS in Taman Tun Dr Ismail), there wasn't a single soul there. While standing right at the entrance frantically calling for help, Jeff Ooi spotted me and directed me to the correct venue which is about 1km away along Jalan Abang Haji Openg, opposite Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Tun Dr Ismail 2.

Do click here to view photos taken by yours truly (KC). Click Slideshow and F11 for bigger displays.

 
Back (L-R): Wendy Liu, Patricia Yap, Jeff Ooi, Vance, Chin, Aleximon Lee, Paul Lee, Yim Heng Fatt
Front: KC Leong, Karim, Dannie, Carrie, Karen Loh ... this photo courtesy of Yim Heng Fatt.

Bukit Kiara @ TTDI has often been described as the 'green lung' of Kuala Lumpur, boasting many jungle trails through its characteristic hills. Despite rapid housing and commercial development in the areas, the hills still stood there though the lush greenery may be diminishing in size in compromising for development. Hopefully, in many years to come, the trails are still there for trail running.
 
Seeing that most of us are keng chow trail runners (maybe the look... ha ha), after a brief discussion between Paul Lee and Karen Loh (two experience trail runners), we decided to do a long-distant loop which is about 7.5km one way. 

 
At View Point area: Karim, Yim, Karen Loh, Vance and KC Leong


There are many split trails to arrive at the destination. The whole team was sub-divided into 4 groups each led by Aleximon Lee, Jeff Ooi, Paul Lee and Karen Loh. Nevertheless, we managed to assemble at the destination.
Assessment of the terrain: there are about 5 to 10 hills to tackle. The trail is long but not too steep – a little harder than Puchong Hill. Apek-Saga Hills is much steeper and gain elevation very quickly.

 
In single file going uphill ...

 
Finally, the full team arriving at the Orang Asli settlement

 
This is the way we came from ... Being trail running here twice, Karen Loh is good in recognizing the trail.

 
The View Point Area -- The KL Tower and Petronas Twin Buildings at the background can be seen here (near to Patricia Yap's right hand).

Karen trip and fell, damaging the yow yeng and expansive CWX compression pants at the knee area. On the brigther side - she is okay and safe.

One runner friend commented that we look so fresh even after a 15km trail run. So I quipped that the air in the hill is fresh, thus making us looking fresh. Running in the mountain inhaling lots of fresh air (and negative ions) has rejuvenating effect on us ... this photo courtesy of Dannie captured using his iPhone. 

This is Taman Tasik Lembah Kiara which is directly opposite Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Tun Dr. Ismail (2). Another park is 1km away is called Taman Lembah Kiara.


The group went to Devi's Corner, a mamak restaurant in TTDI for brunch ... Carrie and Wendy Liu.

Aleximon Lee (left), the organizer of this trail running, is a youth looking,  friendly, humble and jovial guy; assisted by Jeff Ooi (right). The other two important persons are Paul Lee and Karen Loh who guide the team in the right path in the many split trails.

Do click here to view previous postings at Bukit Kiara.

Posted by KC Leong

1 comment:

Grace said...

Thanks for sharing and look forward to joining you all some day!