Runner gets the all clear for Asian Games

THERE was good news for policeman Shaharudin Hashim, the country’s top marathon runner, and he will be able to concentrate on his preparations for the Asian Games.
The 35-year-old Shahrudin, who was the best Malaysian in the recent Standard Chartered KL Marathon, said he has been invited to join the Malaysian Amateur Athletics Union (MAAU) full-time training programme for the Asian Games.
“I am indeed happy with the call-up. The news could not have come at a better time, after finishing as the best Malaysian in the marathon.

Marathon men: (From left) M. Vikneswaran, Jeyakumar, Venugopal and Shaharudin going for a long run at the lake garders.

“I had to go through a lot of hardship to prepare for the marathon. I am glad that my sacrifices have been rewarded and my prayers answered.
“I have to thank my employers for granting me the opportunity to train full time,’’ said Shaharudin after a training session at the Bukit Aman car park recently.
The Lance Corporal, due to work commitments, had to train as early 3am to prepare for the marathon. His evening sessions also stretched late into the night.
In the KL Marathon, Shaharudin clocked an impressive 2’39:38 to win the top prize in the local category. He also upstaged some of the top locals like R. Muniandy, last year’s winner, and R. Subramanian to take the top prize.
The KL Marathon was his second for the season. His first was the Putrajaya Night Marathon (PNM) and Shaharudin, who has a personal best of 2’34:00 clocked in Korea in 2007, said it would be back to the track for him. He has been earmarked for the 5,000m and 10,000m and has personal bests of 15:40.00 and 33;38.00, respectively.
Shahrudin’s next marathon will be the Penang Bridge Run in August. And training for both the 5,000m and 10,000m will help Shahrudin work on his speed.
“I have been concentrating on long runs and endurance for marathons. But, now, for the track events, the focus will be on speed.
“The training will help me in clocking better times,’’ said Shaharudin.
Two of his colleagues — R. Venugopal and D. Jayakumar — have also been permitted to train full time.
Venugopal, a former Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) long distance champion, will keep Shaharudin company in the 5,000m and 10,000m while Jayakumar is in the 800m and 1,500m.
National marathon coach P. Sidamparam said the trio should strive to excel in their respective events.
“They are dedicated and disciplined. They have been impressive in road races. They should be able to do well in track events as well,’’ said Sidamparam.