IN THE NEWS: Veteran Marathon Runner Still Plodding On

Veteran Marathon Runner Still Plodding On
By Y.P. SIVAM
SENIOR citizen Hooi Siew Weng's passion for running started when he was given a running vest by the organisers of the PJ Half Marathon 20 years ago.

Hooi was attracted by the running vest, offered to participants of the 21km event, that was placed in an advertisement carried in The Star.

“I signed up for the half marathon simply because I wanted to get the running vest. However, I had a harrowing time running in the PJ Half Marathon as I was still new to road races and hardly had any training. “I was walking more than running. However, I persevered and finished the race. As it was my first race, family members turned up to give me moral support. They were not disappointed by the time I achieved in the race,'' recalled the jovial Hooi after a training session at Tasik Perdana recently. Hooi, who was 47 years old then, completed the 21km run in a time of 2”05:18. But the half marathon created an impact in Hooi's mind and running became his passion.

Hooi (right) warming up for training while his wife (second from right) looks on. Two children also join in the warm-up.

After 20 years, the 67-year old Hooi is still involved in running. He has completed 21 full marathons, six of them under four hours. His first marathon proved a difficult one. Hooi lined up for the Singapore Marathon in December 1984 and completed the 42.2km race in 4'53:26.

“It was a punishing experience. After the race, my body ached and I declared that it was my last race,'' said Hooi.

However, Hooi could not stay away from running for long. His best time of 3'44:58 was clocked at the Penang Marathon in 1986. He also has a personal best of 1'45:00 in the 21km. He can complete a 10km run in about 45 minutes.

Uncle Hooi, as he is affectionately known in the running circle, said running had been an enjoyable pastime. “A runner needs only a good pair of shoes. I don’t need any opponent. It is just me against the clock. I don’t look for podium finishes. I am more interested in completing the race. For me, that's an achievement.

“Through running, I have made many friends. We love getting together and recalling our past experiences,” said Hooi. His involvement in running has led him to trekking and mountain climbing. He has successfully conquered 10 mountains above 7,000 feet, including Mt Kinabalu and Gunung Tahan.

With a group of friends, he has reached the Annapurna base camp, Kala Pattar and Thorung La Circuit (all in Nepal), the Everest Base Camp, which is the highest trek in the world, and Mt Cook in New Zealand.

However Hooi's first preference is still running. His daily training includes a 10km run. On Sundays, he is at Tasik Perdana for long runs. His wife, Phong Swee Leng, is not into running but she gives him the support. She said that nothing could stop her husband from training.

“Even during the Chinese New Year festival, he goes on the road for his daily jogs. We are happy to see him involved in a healthy activity,'' said Phong. Currently, Hooi has started preparing for next year's Kuala Lumpur International Marathon (KLIM) and the Hong Kong Marathon.

After 20 years of running, Looi remains amused that his passion for the sport started because he wanted a free running vest. “If not for the vest, I don’t think I could have gone through such incredible experiences. As long as health permits, I will continue running,” said Hooi.