My KILORUN Bali 2018 Experience: Run. Eat. Have Fun!

Savoring on local delicacies while traveling - that's a norm, but visiting local attractions while running - now, that's a first. My Bali experience this time round was very different compared to what I'm typically used to, and I can't wait to share my stories!

My KILORUN Bali 2018 experience was done in collaboration with Air Asia, with an agenda that span across-ed two days, but with plenty of free and easy time in between. Luckily for me too, weather was fantastic while I was there.

The KILORUN Bali 2018 fun-tivities was held on 2-3 June 2018, showcasing some of Ubud, Bali's unique local attractions and food offerings. Other KILORUN pit-stops include Bangkok, Hanoi and Osaka.

The overall experience, including all meals and the run, hovers at approximately RM250.00. All-in packages, inclusive of Air Ticket by Air Asia (round trip), Running Ticket, Bus Service, Hotel and Meals are also available.

📍 For Famous Bali Restaurants And Food To Eat in Ubud Bali → The KG Eat List brought me to: Cafe Wayan Ubud, Ibu Rai, Gedong Sisi, Nomad, The Legend Cafe Ubud, Bebek Bengil.

📍 For Places To Visit and Things To Do in Ubud Bali → The 5km RUN brought me to: Ubud Monkey Forest, Balai Banjar Ubud Kelod, The Blanco Renaissance Museum, Pura Gunung Lebah, Museum Puri Lukisan, Pura Desa, Ubud Palace, Ubud Market, Pura Taman Sari.

Official Website: https://kilorun.com/bali-main-page/

Teaser: https://www.facebook.com/KILORUN/videos/452870678467543/

Instagram: @kilorun @kilorun2018

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/KILORUN/

Indonesia Call Centre: +62 0811 1788 799

My Air Asia journey from KLIA2 to Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar) took approximately 3-hours, and another 1.5-hours, by car, taking me all the way to Ubud City. The alternative airport transfer options would be via Hotel Transfers, Airport Taxi (IDR300,000), Rent A Car (IDR400,000 upwards, with driver) or Rent A Bike (IDR70,000/day).

I stayed at Champlung Sari Hotel Ubud Bali, situated right next to the Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Clearly, this was not my choice of accommodation. Beware of the monkeys!

The KILO (KG) part of my KILORUN Bali 2018 experience was all about the food. That's right, it's all about eating. And yes, I wore a bright pink apron throughout the hunt!

My task? To gain 1KG in 2 hours, by eating as much as possible, covering 10 popular restaurants in Ubud, sampling some of their hand-selected local specialties, all within the dedicated KG Route.

My favorites? Bebek Bengil (for it's crispy duck, in which I return to for lunch the next day) and Gedong Sisi (for it's Taliwang Chicken).

On that note, I walked - there was no need to run. It's bad for digestion to run after eating right?

Weighing-in before the race, putting on 1KG was the goal.

For the Best Dressed Award, the runners from Thailand came all readily dressed in traditional costumes. Thai runners probably formed the majority of the participants for this year's KILORUN. 

Warming Up session by the Air Asia crew.

#1. Sate Lilit by The Legend Cafe Ubud.

#2. Balinese Mix Rice by Bali Pesto.

#3. Chicken Rica Rica by Ibu Rai - there's just something about those crackers that I really liked.

#4. Taliwang Chicken by Gedong Sisi - one of my favorites of the day.

#5. Chicken Bertutu by Cafe Legend - the meats started tasting quite similar by now.

#6. Traditional Balinese Fried Noodles & Rice.

#7. Bubur Ayam Bali by Nomad - not the typical bowl of porridge, these had shredded chicken, bihun, porridge with a tinge of gingery aftertaste, in chicken soup.

#8. Crispy Duck by Bebek Bengil - which I revisited for lunch the next day.

Loloh Balinese Herbal Drink - these were perfect thirst-quenchers after all those food, refreshing and delicious.

#9. Balinese Traditional Kueh, which reminded me very much of the Malaysian variants.

Last stop - #10. Eis Campur.

By the time I was done with all 10 food-stops, it was already nightfall. By then, most of the other participants have already completed the race, and was in the midst of being weighed-in. Needless to say, it was quite a buoyant sight at the venue.

I successfully achieved the given target of gaining 1KG, post-eats, and was given a participation medal after that. After walking non-stop for 2 hours, how did that even happen? I couldn't wait to RUN the extra KILO's off the next day!

Like the name suggested, the RUN part of my KILORUN Bali 2018 experience, was in fact a sight-seeing, mini marathon.

I chose the 5KM RUN (fun run or so it seemed), and there was also the 3KM and 10KM option, with the longest run covering the most places.

I passed through some Ubud's popular local attractions along the way. From the pace that I ran however, it was pretty much a touch-and-go experience. I didn't want to be left behind!

I returned to Ubud Market and Ubud Palace later on in the evening, after the run.

At 6.30am, I began my race to the finish.

The lush greens that I ran passed, as part of my run route.

After the run, food trucks were parked at the venue and food tokens were given to all runners to redeem.

Group capture with the energetic Air Asia crew.

Concluding the KILORUN Bali 2018 experience with a pat on the back.

Throughout the 2 day KILORUN Bali 2018 agenda, I tasted 10 popular Balinese dishes, at various designated food-stops in Ubud Bali. I also ran 5KM, passing through 9 of the top local attractions to visit in Ubud Bali. I'd have to say, it was quite an interesting feat altogether. 

On that note, I will be writing about the remaining parts of my Bali Travelogue in another write-up, soon. Thank you Air Asia once again for the fantastic experience.