The Star Online: Nation
The Star Online: Nation |
- Marathon man sacrifices festivities to prepare for race in the US
- Lorry driver facing gun, bullets and drugs charges denied bail
- Suaram leader quizzed over dinner to raise funds
| Marathon man sacrifices festivities to prepare for race in the US Posted: PUTRAJAYA: Razif Yahya just doesn't stop running. Even the Hari Raya celebrations will not put him out of the race that he has always set his sights on. The ultra-marathon runner will miss the festivities to be the first Malaysian to take part in the 161km-long Leadville Trail 100 Run. He will be leaving today (Aug 8) to get a headstart on adjusting to the climate for the race which takes place 3,048m above sea level in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado in the United States, from Aug 17 to 18. "It feels strange to only be meeting my family on Raya morning and then rushing off to another country by evening," the 41-year-old runner said in a recent interview here. "It's my dream to complete this race as it is the Boston marathon of ultra-marathons." Razif will attempt such a distance again after completing the 160km-long Singapore Craze Ultramarathon on Sept 22 last year. "It was the longest run in my life; it took more than 31 hours. But I made sure I took my time to avoid injury. I even stopped for dinner at McDonalds," he said. Razif, who works as a Customs assistant director, has completed 23 races, nine of which were ultra-marathons with a distance of between 50km and 160km. An ultra-marathon is a race which involves running longer than the conventional marathon's length of 42km. For ultra-marathons, there are usually the 50km, 80km and 160km events. To train for the Leadville Trail, Razif has been running an average of 100km a week, clocking 2,400km in total. That is about three times the distance from Kota Baru to Johor Baru. Even during the Ramadan period, he and his running group continued their routine but changed their training time to later in the evening. "A member of my running circle inspired me to run further. She did marathons and even ultra-marathons despite being a housewife in her 40s," he said. When asked if he finds long-distance running more challenging as he had started running late in life, Razif explained that long-distance races were easier than short ones as it would come down to stamina and not just physical strength. "Ultra-marathons are an old man's game. The average age is about 30, and you can see many participants in their 40s to 60s. "In fact, I find normal marathons quite stressful since you are racing against time and cannot enjoy the journey. With an ultra-marathon, you can take pictures and talk to other participants," he added. |
| Lorry driver facing gun, bullets and drugs charges denied bail Posted: PETALING JAYA: A lorry driver was denied bail after he pleaded not guilty in several courts here to having a gun, bullets and drugs. Judge Yasmin Abdul Razak said that in light of the spate of gun-related crimes, the court had decided not to allow A. Siva, 29, bail for the duration of his trial. Siva was charged in the Sessions Court here to illegally possessing a Forjas Taurus S.A 9mm handgun. He is alleged to have committed the offence on the side of Jalan Sungai Buloh – Subang, Kota Damansara at 1am on July 30. Siva also claimed trial to having 14 rounds of ammunition at the same time and place. The first offence carries a jail term of up to 14 years and whipping of not less than six strokes, while the second is punishable by a maximum seven years prison, RM10,000 fine, or both. Judge Yasmin fixed Sept 13 for next mention. Siva was also charged in a magistrate's court with having eight red-and-white papers , which each contained 10 pills believed to be erimin 5. The offence under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 are alleged to have occurred at the same time and place as the gun offences. Counsel Gerard Lazarus represented Siva, while DPP Dhiya Syazwani Izyan Mohd Akhir and Tan Gin Han prosecuted in the Sessions and magistrate's courts, respectively. Magistrate Surya Wati Shawal set the next mention for Sept 13. |
| Suaram leader quizzed over dinner to raise funds Posted: PETALING JAYA: Police have recorded a statement from Suaram leader Cynthia Gabriel in an investigation under the Sedition Act over a fund-raising dinner it held two weeks ago. Cynthia came to the Petaling Jaya police headquarters at around 3pm yesterday with her lawyers – Latheefa Koya and Derek Fernandez – as well as a small group of supporters. She was questioned for about half an hour. Speaking to reporters later, Cynthia alleged that the investigation was merely an excuse for police to harass and discourage her and Suaram from their inquiry in France over the Scorpene submarines. "They asked me questions which have nothing to do with Section 4(1)A of the Sedition Act under which they are investigating the case," she said. |
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