Urban running is a great way to see the sights while working out.
In my quest to extend mileage on my city runs, I weave through inner roads in the shadow of downtown skyscrapers, exploring new neighbourhoods in search of open spaces to incorporate into my route.
Running in the urban jungle
I was able to extend the route from 6.5km (left) to 8km (right) while avoiding traffic fumes and a sea of other pedestrians. A previous blog detailing the 6.5km run route can be found here.
3 Hills of KL City Centre
3 Hills of KL City Centre (extended)
Widening the loop (A to B)
Still maintaining the anti-clockwise direction, I chart a bigger loop after the detour to Bukit Nanas heading all the way up to Bukit Kewangan (translates to Financial Hill), marked ‘A’ on extended Route Map (right).
Again, to avoid the busy main road towards Pudu, I turn left into an inner road, just before the Indian temple.
I was amazed to find this small lane chock-a-block full of hip budget hotels with artsy decor that would have appealed to tourists in pre-pandemic times.
The inner road (left) runs parallel to the busy main road (right) and is so much quieter and serene.
After running a short portion of the busy road, past the front of Tung Shin Hospital, I punched back into the neighbourhood trails at ‘B’.
From the bottom of the staircase, the serene surroundings hints of peaceful solitude amidst lush greenery.
From here, I rejoin my previous out-route, past the residential condominiums, Chinese School, back of Tung Shin Hospital and the Palace, with no back track needed. Then it’s up Ceylon Hill and down again, before I hit the next extension point.
This time, before hitting the home trail, I take a right at ‘C’ and run straight into a Chinese temple.
The road ahead leads to Bukit Bintang, with an uphill worthy of bragging rights. I had resisted this option in the past, as the area is perpetually congested.
I gave it a shot, ducking into back alleys that had been beautified with colourful wall murals.
The idea of transforming lonely and sometimes crime-infested back lanes into Instagram-worthy locations has succeeded here.
Bukit Bintang extension (C – D)
As for me, Bukit Bintang will not be part of my run route as I don’t fancy running through people taking selfies.
Fascinated by the larger-than-life wall mural, I nearly didn’t see this book kiosk.
Kuala Lumpur was named Unesco World Book Capital (KLWBC 2020). Due to the pandemic, most of the year-long programme took place virtually following its launch on 23 April 2020.
This book kiosk is one of 64 located in the backstreets and alleys of buildings, and tourist “hot spots” such as the River of Life sites.
This book kiosk is part of the “book lane” initiative to create a place for people to read by setting up a kiosk beside beautiful murals in various parts of the city. The kiosks have racks filled with books donated by the public and seats as well.
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