"Though perhaps not my smartest decision, I started training for a marathon last year and set my sights on the 2023 KL Marathon. With kids, however, this meant running well into the night when they were well and sound asleep in bed and when the heat wasn't bone-sapping. 

However, what struck me was just how safe and vibrant this city is, even at odd hours of the early morning. I would run through Little India, Central Market, head into KLCC and loop around Petronas Twin Towers. Tourists and locals alike would still be whizzing around on Beam scooters and taking selfies. 

I remember on one such occasion, I met the dreaded uphill Jalan Maroof at midnight whilst running KM 27. Some young locals were on bicycles at the time and started hovering around. What may feel like an uncomfortable situation in other cities was not so in this instance – they all inquired why I was foolishly running and then proceeded to cycle up the long hill with me, encouraging and supporting me all the way. 

This to me epitomised Malaysia in a nutshell – warm and full of love!"