Discovering New Run Routes

After being cooped up indoors for 12 weeks from 18 March 2020, I was very relieved when running outdoors was permitted once again. And that’s how I devised new routes and started running around my neighbourhood.

9 May 2020

Duration : 34:44

Distance : 4.79km

This was my run route around Bukit Ceylon, sticking to the inner roads to minimise vehicle traffic and pollution.

Though I managed to weave in some elevation, my runs were under 5km despite doing multiple ‘fingers’ to extend the mileage.

As it’s right smack in the city centre, the first part of my route was on a main road with office buildings, bringing me face-to-face with pedestrians and people waiting at bus-stops, which was not great for social distancing.

Though this portion took me less than 10 minutes, I instantly felt better once I’m off the busy thoroughfare. That’s when I start to enjoy the workout.

I find my rhythm, running at a comfortable pace through the more quiet residential Jalan Ceylon passing luxury high-rises (left) and the former residence of P. G. Lim (Malaysia’s first female ambassador & the first Cambridge-trained female lawyer), now converted to a boutique hotel (right).

At the junction, another high-rise looms on the right. I carried on left past the unmarked gate of Istana Hinggap Pahang (top right), the official city-residence of His Majesty, the Sultan of Pahang* and the royal family, in Kuala Lumpur, a Chinese School (bottom right) and more residential condominiums at the end of the road.

*The Sultan of Pahang is the 16th and current Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) of Malaysia. During his 5-year term, his official residence is at Istana Negara (the State Palace) located in Jalan Duta in the federal capital Kuala Lumpur.

On my second outing, I noticed runners going down and coming up some concrete steps. I followed and discovered that it was a short cut to Tung Shin. I added the staircase to my route, to amp up the intensity.

That being the halfway mark, I turned back and mentally prepared myself for my final uphill. A winding 400m road leads to Ceylon Hill, with a steep portion right before the peak. A water tank stands out prominently at the top. As I circle the water tank, I catch my first glimpse of KL Tower.

On the way down, I was able to appreciate my surroundings better, as more city landmarks popped into view.

After that, it was all downhill, the perfect finish to a satisfying run.

MCO 2.0 came into effect on 13 January 2021 and Bukit Ceylon once again became my playground.

1 February 2021

3 Hills of the Golden Triangle
Bukit Ceylon, Bukit Kewangan & Bukit Nanas

The idea of extending my route came about when I realised the runs were easier, as I had regained some of my fitness.

Since July, I’ve been running with my buddy around Lake Gardens and Kenny Hills. Running with friends is more fun and I can run longer and further.

My extended route began at Bukit Kewangan, marked by two of Corporate Malaysia’s iconic buildings – Bursa Malaysia (Stock Exchange of Malaysia) and Maybank HQ (largest local Bank).

The next downhill took me to Telekom Museum, and the start of the uphill to Bukit Nanas. I did not feel the gradient overly much as I was distracted by St John’s Cathedral, St John’s Institution (St John’s) and Convent Bukit Nanas (CBN).

Recalling my school girl days at Bukit Bintang Girls School (BBGS), CBN was our arch rival while St John’s was our No.1 crush Boy School.