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Income Eco Run 2017: Results and Race Video Report

Team JustRunLah!
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Income Eco Run 2017: Results and Race Video Report

[SINGAPORE, 30 April 2017 – Press release] – Close to 10,000 participants raced the streets this morning towards a ‘Zero Waste’ future at the Income Eco Run (formerly known as the NTUC Income RUN 350, organised by Young NTUC). Runners from all walks of lives participated in various categories- the 21.1km Half Marathon, 10km and the 800m Kids Dash – in support of the common cause and was flagged off at the F1 Pit Building.

This year’s Income Eco Run saw a special group of 1,500 runners who took their commitment to the ‘green’ cause to the next level by racing as ‘Zero Waste Runners’. These runners opted not to receive their respective finishers’ entitlements (medal for all categories and a finisher’s tee for the 21.1 km Half Marathon category) in a bid to reduce waste. As a result, 87.8kg of fabric and 150kg of metal were saved.

It was the first time the race introduced the option for runners to race as a ‘Zero Waste Runner’ and it was fully subscribed before registration closed at the start of April.

Double SEA Games Gold Medalist in the Triathlon (2007) and Marathon (2013) events, Mok Ying Ren (managed by ONEathlete), raced as a ‘Zero Waste Runner’. He shared, ” I’m very happy that I placed first in the 21.1km local category. I just started training again, so I’m quite pleased with my timing! Running as a ‘Zero Waste Runner’ was actually refreshing to see fewer cups on the road after the race! I run home after work regularly as part of my longer distance training. And I use my own bottle during these runs just like today. I believe that these efforts, though small, enable us to be environmentally conscious, and helps in the larger-scale-of things towards reducing carbon emissions and zero waste. Doing good is now made simple, isn’t it?”

As the pioneer of eco-races in Singapore, Income Eco Run adopted eco-friendly practices for different aspects of the race. They included encouraging runners to bring their own bottles (BYO) to reduce the use of plastic bottles and paper cups, giving out post-run e-certificates, producing finisher medals from recycled metal and using bio-diesel fuel for the generators. The event also readily offered sorting cans for trash to be recycled and provided bicycle racks on race day to encourage participates to cycle to the race venue. Participants were also encouraged to carpool or to take the shuttle bus services to the event.

Reinforcing Income’s commitment for a ‘Zero Waste’ future, a ‘green’ audit, carried out by Green Future Solutions, was conducted today to set environmental benchmarks for improvements year on year. The ‘green’ audit^ focused on two main areas- waste and energy, and the results are targeted to be available by end May.

Mr Marcus Chew, Income’s Chief Marketing Officer, said: “We set out to take ownership of the race this year to champion a sustainable future, which is aligned to our core business of making insurance not just accessible, but sustainable, for all in Singapore so that we can be more future ready. We are heartened by the level of participation in this ‘green’ run, especially the eager subscription for the ‘Zero Waste Runner’ category. This shows that many of us are ready to do our part for a sustainable future. With the ‘green’ audit, we look forward to doing more for our collective eco cause and to inspire and encourage others to do more to protect our environment.”

The Run today was graced by various ‘green’ partners who flagged off the race alongside Income’s Chief Marketing Officer, Marcus Chew. This included MsSharmine Tan, Manager (Environmental Outreach), Singapore Environment Council and Mr Eugene Tay, Executive Director, Zero Waste Singapore.

Mr Lee Kheng Seng, Director, Communications and 3P Partnership Division, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, said: “The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) would like to commend NTUC Income on the Income Eco Run 2017 in bringing together runners and environmental enthusiasts with a common goal of moving towards a zero-waste nation. The Ministry supports the ground-up initiative in promoting the Sustainable Singapore Movement and in setting an environmental benchmark for other marathon organisers to emulate.”

33-year-old Kenyan, James Barmasai who placed first in the 21.1km Open category shared, “I am feeling great about my win! I expected to win because I trained hard for it. The route was well planned.”

Jasmine Goh, a familiar face in Singapore’s running scene was placed twice in the Income Eco Run by clinching third place in the 21.1km Open category and the 21.1km Local Champion. The 38-year-old said, “Overall my race experience was enjoyable! The Income Eco Run has a great eco positioning this year, too! In terms of my performance, I expected to run well and do my best. It also helped that the weather was great!”

Runners were brought on a scenic race route as they raced through Gardens By The Bay, Marina Barrage and The Singapore Flyer.

Race Results

21.1km Open Category (Male)

Position Name Gun Time
1st James Barmasai 1:07:21
2nd Kipchirchir Lel 1:08:16
3rd James Maregu 1:08:58

 

21.1km Open Category (Female)

Position Name Gun Time
1st Monica Watetu 1:20:42
2nd Margaret Njuguna. Wangui 1:23:14
3rd Jasmine Goh 1:28:00

 

21.1km Local Champion

Position Name Gun Time
1st  (Male) Mok Ying Ren 1:16:56
1st (Female) Jasmine Goh 1:28:00

 

10km Open Category (Male)

Position Name Gun Time
1st Dennis Isika 33:40
2nd Suresh Tilija 34:06
3rd Banjamin Quek 35:42

 

10km Open Category (Female)

Position Name Gun Time
1st Vanja Cnops 38:45
2nd Rachel Oconnor 39:43
3rd Maire Eilis Nic Amhlaoibh 40:37

 

10km Local Champion

Position Name Gun Time
1st  (Male) Banjamin Quek 35:42
1st (Female) Yew Cheo Ng 44:54

 

10km Team Category

Position Name Gun Time
1st  Singapore Shufflers 37:15

 

RUNRIO Trilogy Reboot 2017

Servinio
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RUNRIO Trilogy Reboot 2017

     THE PHILIPPINES’ most popular running trilogy gets a reboot as it enters its eighth season.  Runners of all levels will surely be kept busy for the rest of 2017 as RUNRIO Events formally announced its calendar recently.

As always, the trilogy will seek to guide participants as they progress to longer and more challenging distances from leg to leg.  The series begins with a 21-kilometer race on June 25 followed by a 32-kilometer race on August 13 and culminating with the 42.195-kilometer Philippine Marathon on October 1.

For the opening leg, all distance categories will start and end and the spanking new Okada Manila complex.  Aside from the half-marathon, runners may opt to join the 10 and five-kilometer races.

Online registration is now ongoing at www.runrio.com while onsite registration will kick off on May 6 at adidas stores located at Greenbelt III, Trinoma, Solenad 3, Bonifacio Global City and at Toby’s inside SM Mall of Asia.  The race kit consists of an adidas race shirt and race bib with timing device.

Half-marathon finishers will be awarded medals, shirts and loot bags.  For the first time, 10-kilometer runners will also earn medals on top of their loot bag.

Race fees are set at PHP 1,800.00 for 21 kilometers, PHP 1,400.00 for 10 kilometers and PHP 1,100.00 for five kilometers.  Race kits will be released from June 19 to 23 at the venue indicated by the runner on the registration or on race day itself at the race village.

Starting this year, the third leg or the Philippine Marathon will now have IAAF/AIMS certification just like the major marathons overseas.  Another major development that should make a lot of runners happy is that prizes will be awarded to the top finishers according to age group.

All runners that complete the longest distances in all three legs will be invited to an awards night, a tradition that was discontinued in 2013 but will be making a grand return this time around.  All three medals can be interlocked to form one large medal, a practice that has been a staple since the 2012 season.

Coach Rio de la Cruz also introduced new business partners Andrew Neri and Dingdong Dantes as they form the rejuvenated RUNRIO Events Incorporated.  Neri brings with him years of experience as a corporate executive while Dantes, a popular movie and television actor, will act as ambassador for the company’s events.

Aside from being an ambassador, Dantes is the founding chairperson of the YesPinoy Foundation which has been chosen to be the beneficiary of RUNRIO races.  The foundation will definitely get a big boost in furthering its philanthropic projects since an estimated 12,000 runners are seen to participate in each of three legs.

In between trilogy legs, a good selection of races will be around to make sure runners stay sharp.  The 41st MILO Marathon regional qualifiers will form bulk of these events but runners can look forward to other RUNRIO franchises plus the company’s first ever ultra marathon on October 15 in Siargao Island.

As is the case in most RUNRIO races, registration is expected to go fast so go to the nearest registration center or go online and sign up now!  Here is the RUNRIO calendar for the balance of 2017:

Date Event Date Event
11-Jun Freedom Run (CdeO) 1-Oct PHILIPPINE MARATHON
25-Jun RUNRIO TRILOGY LEG I MILO Marathon Roxas
16-Jul MILO Marathon Urdaneta 8-Oct Amway Health Run (Manila)
23-Jul Siargao International Marathon MILO Marathon Iloilo
MILO Marathon Laoag 15-Oct Siargao Ultra Marathon
30-Jul MILO Marathon Metro Manila 22-Oct MILO Marathon General Santos
6-Aug MILO Marathon Angeles 28-Oct Cosplay Exporun
13-Aug RUNRIO TRILOGY LEG II 29-Oct Amway Health Run (Davao)
MILO Marathon Tarlac 5-Nov Amway Health Run (CdeO)
20-Aug Kagay-an Festival Run (CdeO) MILO Marathon Davao
27-Aug MILO Marathon Naga 12-Nov New Balance Power Run
3-Sep MILO Marathon Lucena MILO Marathon Butuan
UNICEF Run For Heroes 19-Nov MILO Marathon Cagayan de Oro
10-Sep MILO Marathon Lipa 25-Nov Clark Sunset Marathon
Resorts World Run With Me 3-Dec MILO Marathon National Finals (Cebu)
24-Sep MILO Marathon Tagbilaran

Bring It On Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2017: Top Marathoners Battle It Out

Mel
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Bring It On Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2017: Top Marathoners Battle It Out

The heat is on at the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2017. Being the biggest marathon in Malaysia, this will be the race that the top Malaysian marathoners will compete and battle it out. In addition to the prestige of being crowned Champion, this year, the Malaysian elites will have the added bonus of earning the honour of obtaining a potential spot at the SEA Games 2017! SEA games this year will be on home ground, making representing Malaysia even sweeter!

“We are really looking forward to a hotly contested SCKLM 2017, especially in the Malaysian Men’s Full Marathon Category,” said Rainer Biemans, Director of Dirigo Events and Project Director of SCKLM 2017. “This augurs well for our event as one of our key objectives has been to raise the competitive level of the SCKLM. And as the selection for the SEA Gamesis only finalised in July, these runners will be eager to push hard to try to earn selection,” he added.

Muhaizar Mohamad

Muhaizar has dominated the Men’s Marathon in the last couple of years. The defending champion aims to better his personal best (2:39:24) at this years SCKLM.  The Armed Forces personnel largely trains on his own but a short stint under Mark Williams (the Official Running Coach that runs SCKLM’s Running Clinics), enabled him to achieve his personal best at last year’s SCKLM.

“I don’t have a personal coach so it’s going to be tough for me to post faster times. I realised how much a coach could help me when I trained under Mark Williams. The plan he devised is what helped me to achieve my fastest time so far at last year’s SCKLM,” said Muhaizar. “But as the SEA Games is on home soil this year, I will be going all out in SCKLM 2017 to hopefully beat my personal best and qualify for the Games,” he added.

Mohd Jironi Riduan

Jironi is no strange face to the SEA Games, being a gold medalist himself at the middle distance 800m and 1500m. He ran a 2:39:58 in his marathon debut at the SCKLM 2016. Although still well under the qualifying mark, his impressive debut really shows that there will be more to come from this man. He is focused on delivering his best at the upcoming SCKLM and hopes that this will put him in contention for the upcoming SEA games.

Tan Huong Leong

Setting the new Malaysian Record in the Tokyo Marathon 2017 with a blistering time of 2:28:19, his name has been flagged as the man to watch. Coming in 2nd runner up in the last couple of years, he hopes training under Taiwanese distance coach Lim Chen Ming will bring him the Champion title this year, and also the chance to run for Malaysia. Tan his 2:28 timing in much cooler conditions, so it would be interesting to see how fast he can go in the sweltering conditions in Kuala Lumpur.

Sheela Samivellu

Sheela smashed the National Record of the half marathon back in SCKLM 2016. She certainly will be one to watch.

“I started running when I was five and the journey continues. What started as a means to be happy and to reduce stress has become something more serious now. Breaking the national record at SCKLM2016 was the proudest moment in my career so far and I hope I can finish just as strongly this year as that would put me in a good position for the SEA Games in August,” said Sheela.

The Standard Chartered KL Marathon has grown to become the premier running event in Malaysia that draws thousands of local and international runners to the country whilst firmly establishing Malaysia in the global running calendar. The 2017 edition of the race will once again see sponsorship from Title Sponsor Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia, along with Honda Malaysia, Brooks, Lucozade, Seiko and Pacific Regency.

Elite runners will be competing to earn a slice of the almost RM500,000 in total that is on offer at the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2017,which include bonus prizes for record breaking course times.

For more information and updates on SCKLM, please visit:

Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/SCKLmarathon
Twitter : www.twitter.com/SCKLmarathon
Instagram : https://instagram.com/SCKLmarathon
Website : www.kl-marathon.com

Join The Media Launch Of Star Wars Day: May The 4th Be With You Festival

Mel
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Join The Media Launch Of Star Wars Day: May The 4th Be With You Festival

Join us at the May The 4th Festival – a 3 day Star Wars extravaganza, and the very first in Singapore might we add. STAR WARS ─ one of the most successful movie franchises has amassed an empire of fans and followers from all walks of life. Come join all Star Wars followers on the path of a Jedi at the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay. The venue will be transformed with an immersive experience that brings you to a galaxy far, far away.

The Media Launch

Guest of Honour, Mr S. Iswaran, Minister for Trade and Industry will launch the 3-day festival with the Garden Rhapsody: STAR WARS Edition – a music and light composition set against the epic STAR WARS soundtrack. Also, catch the epic Sabertrees light up which will be South East Asia’s largest light sabre activation. Also, take the opportunity to get up close and personal with the towering replica of the All-Terrain Scout Transport (AT-ST). 

Details

Date: 4th May 2017,Thursday
Time: 5.40pm – 8.30pm
Venue: Visitor Centre at Arrival Area, Gardens by the Bay
18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953

 

For More about the 3 Day Star Wars Singapore Festival, click here!

Get active with Google Street View and JustRunLah!

Team JustRunLah!
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Get active with Google Street View and JustRunLah!

Get up close with Singapore’s nature and parks with Google Street View

Singapore, 27 April 2017 – Today, Google announced that Special Collections from 30 newly mapped locations in Singapore are now available on Google Street View, allowing users from Singapore and around the world to explore a 360˚ panoramic view of the City in the Garden, bringing the total number of Street View locations to 85 in Singapore.

Using Street View on desktop or Google Maps for Mobile available on iOS and Android, nature-loving cyclists can now plan their bike expedition routes along Coney Island Park, Punggol Waterway Park or the Youth Olympic Park. Those who are looking at planning a holiday getaway can also preview top tourist attractions such as Resorts World Sentosa and Universal Studios Singapore. While arts and heritage buffs will be able to step into National Gallery Singapore and the Singapore Art Museum, any time of the day.

Cynthia Wei of Google with trail runners Paviter Singh and Ben Heyhoe Flint.

Cynthia Wei, Street View Program Manager, APAC, said “Singapore is a top Asian destination for tourists worldwide and having the newly added Special Collections on Street View will give tourists a first glance of what our city has to offer. Many people have told us that Street View helps them in their trip planning when they’re deciding places to visit while on holiday.”

Google to work with JustRunLah! to map over 30 running routes covering more than 400 km in Singapore on Street View

We are happy to be teaming up with Google to capture Street View imagery for running tracks along parks and nature spaces around Singapore. Runners from our community are coming on board to contribute and expand on the Street View imagery around Singapore, capturing over 30 running routes in Singapore covering more than 400 km. From Botanic Gardens to Mount Faber Park and to MacRitchie Reservoir, they will be donning Google’s Street View trekker equipped with special cameras that take photographs of various running trails popular among Singaporeans.

The idea to start this project actually stemmed from our friend and community member Ben Heyhoe Flint, who once had tried to plot a way to run off-road from Seletar to Dempsey. It took him 45 minutes of stitching together reference points from Google Earth, Google Map and our own JustRunLah! resources to work out a route. This sparked a thought that there had to be a more efficient way of navigating trails that were common, as well as those that weren’t. Together with his running buddy, Paviter Singh, a Singaporean ultra-marathoner, they thought to link up the Street View team with JustRunLah! in order to provide a new valuable resource to the active community of Singapore.

Peter Tan, Managing Director of JustRunLah! said “While Singapore is a small country, there are numerous running trails that our community has discovered, and capturing this online is a great way for us to share these hidden gems with more people. As a fitness portal that connects active individuals, we hope to make these lesser known places available to the public and encourage all Singaporeans – young and old – to get active by using Google Street View to help them plan an outdoor workout that best suits their fitness goals and lifestyles.”

Cynthia added, “Since 2009, Singaporeans have been using the panoramic street-level images on Google Maps to navigate and figure out driving directions around the city. While Street View has proven to be a useful tool for drivers, we’d love to make it more relevant for Singaporeans who are passionate about running and looking for new places to explore. We’re looking forward to working closely with JustRunLah! to capture new imagery of running tracks that are off the beaten path and help get Singaporeans more active with Street View.”

Ben in Southern Ridges

A great tool for runners to discover new routes

The newly collected images and mapped trails will be embedded in JustRunLah!’s online resource Singapore Running Routes database, which provides vital information to runners, such as route accessibility, surface profile, availability of nearby facilities (showers, lockers) etc. Some early integration examples include the Botanic Gardens and MacRitchie Reservoir, using imagery previously collected by the Google team.

Andreas Karampatzakis, Technical Director of JustRunLah! said “Capturing 360o imagery of Singapore’s trails and routes will be a great addition to our online resources for runners. Currently, we have interactive listings of most Singapore’s routes; with the new data coming in, runners of any level can plan their training more efficiently and know what to expect once they are out on the trails.”

We are looking for volunteers!

If you are interested in helping us with this project and you feel comfortable walking 5-10km with a 20kg equipment on your back, click here to contact us now!

SCSM Makes World Marathon Majors Bid With Renewed Commitment From Title Sponsor

Yvonne Siew
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SCSM Makes World Marathon Majors Bid With Renewed Commitment From Title Sponsor
  • Successful bid will make Singapore the seventh Abbott World Marathon Majors city
  • Standard Chartered Bank renews commitment with S$11.4m three-year sponsorhip
  • Event to be renamed Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon from 2017

The Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) today announced its bid to join six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world – London, Berlin, New York, Chicago, Tokyo and Boston – as an Abbott World Marathon Majors (WMM) event. Currently, the Singapore marathon has been recognised as a Gold Label event by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) since 2012 for its world-class excellence in global sporting significance, organisational quality, athlete’s safety and compliance with the IAAF Rules and Regulations.

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu, who was the Guest-of-Honour for the SCSM 2017 launch event said, “The SCSM is a good example of the power of sport in bringing people together. Since 2002, the annual event has drawn together friends, family members and companies as a community, united in their common passion for running and keeping fit.”

Commenting on the bid, Managing Director of IRONMAN Asia, Geoff Meyer said “The Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon is perfectly placed to be a World Marathon Major. Since 2011, the race has been one of the most popular in the region, attracting an annual average of 50,000 runners. With the support of our IRONMAN global network and our longstanding commitment to the Singapore Marathon, I am confident that we can bring the event to greater heights and develop Singapore as a premier running destination.”

About SCSM 2017

Enhanced Experience: Pre-race

Runners can expect an enhanced experience which begins well before before the race weekend on 2-3 December. Upon registration, runners will receive a race pack worth over $180, which includes new items such as an upgraded backpack and free race day personal accident plan. For the first time, participants will be decked out with event and finisher tees by new race apparel sponsor Under Armour.

From this year till 2019, SCSM Race Entry Pack Collection will be held within the city centre at Marina Bay Sands. This is part of the Organiser’s aim to offer SCSM runners a bigger and better race expo within the return of Prudential Healthy Life Expo for the second year, while facilitating convenient and seamless pick-up of race packs.

Enhanced Experience: Race

Come race day, runners can also look forward to numerous new experiences, including new race routes, the cold towel experience upon crossing the Finish Line, and a free digital personal race photo that they can share on social media. En route, there will also be a number of improvements with the introduction of new features like mist tunnels, cooling zones, additional and longer hydration points and more entertainment for a better running experience.

Rewarding Runners

As the marathon enters its 16th edition, IRONMAN Asia will introduce a loyalty program that will reward loyal runners. Participants who have clocked more than 300km since the 2010 Singapore Marathon will receive a customised running tee-shirt and a collector 300km club coin. Come July, SCSM will unveil runners’ programmes that will help SCSM participants to prepare them for the best race yet.

Registration for the SCMS 2017 Starts on 27 April 2017!

Register at www.singaporemarathon.com and Standard Chartered Cardholders will enjoy 15% off registration fee across all categories.

For more information information, visit: www.singaporemarathon.com
Follow the race:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarathonSG
Instagram:@MarathonSG
Twitter: @MarathonSG

Official Running & Fitness Portal

JustRunLah! is proud to be an Official Partner of Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2017

Calling All Star Wars Fans – 3 Day Festival Celebrating Star Wars Day

Mel
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Calling All Star Wars Fans – 3 Day Festival Celebrating Star Wars Day

As part of ‘May the 4th’ celebrations and to mark the 40th anniversary since the release of Star Wars: A New Hope, a three-day extravaganza – STAR WARS DAY: MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU Festival will take place at Gardens by the Bay from May 4th to 6th. Organised by local event organiser Esprimo with the support of Singapore Tourism Board and event partner Gardens by the Bay, this festival celebrating the STAR WARS fandom will culminate with the inaugural STAR WARS RUN Singapore 2017 on the final evening of the festival.

For the very first time, Supertree Grove will be transformed – with a distinctive ambience, themed activities, character appearances and a never-before immersive experience, you will be transported to a galaxy far, far away. The first STAR WARS extravaganza of such a scale in Singapore, this is a festival not to be missed in the week of May the 4th.

HIGHLIGHTS AT ‘STAR WARS DAY: MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU

#1 Multi-sensory STAR WARS Light and Music Showcase

When dusk falls, the Marina Bay skyline will be further illuminated with SaberTrees light-up. This will happen from 8pm – 12am. This is Southeast Asia’s largest lightsaber light-up activation where the iconic Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay will be transformed to glow in resemblance of lightsabers, the weapon of choice of the Jedi and Sith warriors.

Twice nightly at 7.45pm and 8.45pm, catch the Garden Rhapsody: STAR WARS Edition featuring a dazzling 15-min music and light composition. This multi-sensory treat, set against the epic STAR WARS soundtrack will take place over these three nights only at the Supertree Grove, so don’t miss it. It will be an experience to remember!

To round off the night, hit the dance floor for some STAR WARS themed Silent Disco on May 5th and 6th from 9 – 11pm.

#2 STAR WARS Character Appearances

Joining us all the way from a galaxy far, far away, one of the heroes of the Rebellion, Chewbacca or Chewie as he is known to his close friends and Kylo Ren, the dark warrior from the First Order will both be in town for the festival. Whichever side of the Force you are on, you will not want to miss out on the chance to take a photo with these two characters that are making their first ever appearance in Southeast Asia.

Decked out in their own personalized custom made movie accurate costumes, catch the costume Fan Clubs, the 501st legion, Rebel Legion and FightSaber, as they celebrate the villains and heroes of the STAR WARS saga by bringing your favorite character to life.

May 4th (at Supertree Grove)

Ø  6pm – 6.30pm

Ø  7pm – 7.30pm

Ø  9pm – 9.30pm

Ø  10pm – 10.30pm

May 5th (at Supertree Grove)

Ø  6pm – 6.30pm

Ø  7pm – 7.30pm

Ø  8pm – 8.30pm

Ø  9pm – 9.30pm

Ø  10pm – 10.30pm

May 6th (at Supertree Grove)

Ø  3pm – 3.30pm

Ø  4pm – 4.30pm

May 6th (at Meadow; access only for participants with run bibs)

Ø  9.30pm – 10pm (Chewbacca only)

Ø  10.30pm – 11pm (Chewbacca only)

Ø  10pm – 10.30pm (Kylo Ren only)

Ø  11pm – 11.30pm (Kylo Ren only)

#3 STAR WARS RUN Singapore 2017

As part of the festival, the inaugural STAR WARS RUN on May 6 at The Meadow at Gardens by the Bay aims to captivate both amateur and professional runners, as well as STAR WARS fans with fun experiences, themed around the brand’s memorable stories and out-of-this-world characters.

With two distances – 4.5km or 10km – to choose from, this is a run for every age and strength level. Participants can choose to experience the 4.5km route, joining the Rebellion on their plight for justice on the Light side, or walk in Darth Vader’s footsteps to uncover the great powers of the Dark side. For the test of ultimate endurance, choose the 10km competitive route which passes through a section of the 4.5km Dark side thematic route.

A kaleidoscope of colours will light up the night sky as pyrotechnics goes off at flag-off of the 4.5km Dark and Light side routes as well as the 10km competitive route. Participants and spectators should keep an eye out for Chewbacca and Kylo Ren as they will both be flagging-off the STAR WARS RUN.

With engagement zones on both the Dark and Light side routes, a visual spectacle awaits as each zone comes alive with light projections, music as well as photo opportunities with STAR WARS themed surprises.

After the run, the fun-filled night continues at the race village with STAR WARS themed activities, interactions, food and beverages as well as an outdoor movie screening of STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS. Runners with their race bib will gain access to the exclusive meet and greet zones at The Meadow for photo opportunities with Chewbacca and Kylo Ren.

Gather your squad, choose your path and register now.

#4 STAR WARS AT-ST Walker

Marvel at the iconic All-Terrain Scout Transport (AT-ST) – first introduced in STAR WARS: The Empire Strikes Back – standing guard at the Supertree Grove. A mainstay on-ground throughout the festival, this is your chance to get up close and person with this towering replica. For a closer look, head up onto the OCBC Skyway for an aerial perspective of the two-legged, armored walker set against the panoramic Marina Bay skyline.

Totally immerse yourself in the ultimate Star Wars experience! Transport yourself to a galaxy far far away! Make sure you make your weekend spectacular by being a part of the Star Wars festival!

Race Review: The Amazing Maritime Challenge 2017 (By Rebekah Ong)

Rebekah Ong
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Race Review: The Amazing Maritime Challenge 2017 (By Rebekah Ong)

Have you ever googled a longitude and latitude co-ordinate? Or have you flown a UMV/ drone before? Not many would have but that’s what I and over 1000 participants from today’s (23 April 2017) The Amazing Maritime Challenge (AMC) got to do. The AMC is organised by Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA Singapore) as part of Singapore Maritime Week. It is the first time that my friend, Cheng Yee and I have taken part in this event. The AMC is not your usual run event; it is race that was designed with exciting challenges which mirror the Singapore maritime industry to create better understanding about the industry among its participants and the general public. Each challenge is designed to test you physically and mentally.

We decided to join this year AMC because:

Rave reviews from cousins – My cousins, Justin and Femy have been loyal participants of this event since it first opened to the public! They said the challenges were always fun and it was a great way to spend the weekend with friends!

Reasonable entry fees – With a registration fee of $10 per team of two, participants were entitled to things such as goodie bags worth $50 and Finisher tees (only available on event day), event tees, race bib and race tote bag.

Different from a normal run event – It is not your typical run event where there is a marked out route. Participants have to plan their route for the different challenges and they can either do it by foot or public transport. The last time that I have participated in a similar event was the Nile Fun Race in 2015 which was held in conjunction with the 8th ASEAN Para Games

RACE ENTRY PACK COLLECTION (REPC)

The REPC took place on the 21 and 22 April 2017 at Marina Square Link Bridge Atrium. The Marina Square Link Bridge Atrium is the open area that has a link bridge that connects Marina Square to Suntec City Convention Centre. This place is not a frequently utilized REPC site and it took me a while to find it.

[Photo: REPC Site]

I went during lunch time on the 21 April 2017 and race pack collection was a breeze as there was no one in queue! Unlike a normal race expo, there was also no mini expo. It was just a simple no frills race expo. The no frills concept also applied to the race pack. The event tees were just normal dry tech tees, no vouchers or coupons inside the race pack.

[Photo: No frills Race Pack]

RACE DAY

Cheng Yee and I arrived early at the event site as we didn’t want to be held up in long queues and we wanted time to strategize. Race resource pack (goodie bag and game card) collection was at Marina Square Outdoor Plaza between the timings of 06:30hrs to 07:30hrs. Every counter was organised according to bib number and there were no queues. We were disappointed as we could not formulate a plan on which place to go first but because participants had to collect 4 sets of longitude and latitude co-ordinates which were only available after flag-off. We just settled to find a place to read about the 4 game stations and have our breakfast.

My cousins, Justin and Femy were also taking part in this race. It was good to have a team that we could collaborate with because splitting of transport fees would be much cheaper if we travel by taxi! We made our way to find them and took some photos before entering the START pen. Since we were early, we were in the second row very near to the START line. I have never been so close to it before! Simple warm up exercises were conducted before the Flag-off party was invited on stage and participants were promptly flagged off at 8am!

[Photo: Before the START of the race]

GAME/ RACE DYNAMICS

Participants are supposed to complete all challenges at the 4 locations by trying to score as many points in the shortest possible time. Participants are also given 100 Maritime dollars which can be used at the various stations to score more points or get you through the challenge quicker. For every unused Maritime dollars, 20 points will be added to your overall score.

There were also 3 optional BONUS challenges which participants can choose to complete. If completed, the team will secure an additional 60 points to their overall score.

Participants are permitted to travel via any mode of transport. All game stations will close at 12:30 hrs, and the Game Master will close the game station queue at 12:15 hrs. Participants have to submit their game card at Marina Square Outdoor Plaza – Results Station (Start/Finish point) by 13:00 hrs as a team.

RACE START

The first thing that every team had to do was to consolidate 4 sets of longitude and latitude co-ordinates which will tell you the location of your stations. These 4 sets of co-ordinates were scattered around the outdoor open area of Marina Square. Once collected, participants were to figure out where these locations were and make their way there. Entering co-ordinates into Google was definitely not an easy task because of the long string of alpha number characters you have to enter! It was surprising to see that Google actually recognized the string of characters.

[Photo: Longitude & Latitude co-ordinates were clues to the game station location]

4 GAME STATONS

Once the participants had deciphered the location co-ordinates, we were supposed to head to those locations to complete the challenges. Our team had decided to start with the furthest station which was at Labrador Park and end at Empress Place.

The first station we went to was called Speed Haul and we took a taxi there. Thankfully we opted to take a taxi if not we would be walking a very long distance to the game station. Our teams were one of the earlier ones there and didn’t need to queue to attempt the task. As this was our first challenge, we did not do really well as both of us didn’t know what we were supposed to do and plus we remembered the logo rather than the definitions.

Our next stop was Marina South Pier which is the Flight Path station. This was one of the more interesting stations! Upon arrival, we were greeted with the scenic views of the Marina South Pier. This just brought back memories of my cruise 2 weeks ago. We quickly got our question sheet and headed for the Singapore Maritime Gallery which we didn’t knew existed until now. We were really impressed with the exhibits there but didn’t have time to go through everything. I’m definitely planning a trip back there to try out the interactive displays. After completing the questions we did Part B of the challenge. It’s a first time for both Cheng Yee and I trying to fly a drone. Somehow when you see people fly drones, they make it look soooo easy but you can imagine the number of times the drone crashed while we piloted it! We ‘pitied’ the station personnel as he had to run numerous times during those 90 seconds to pick up and reset the drone for us.

From there we headed to Fort Canning by cab! By the time we reached this station it was roughly around 10:15hrs. The sun was up in full force but we had to scale the hilly slopes of Fort Canning get to the Task at Hand station. This was the only station that we needed to queue before attempting the challenge. I never knew that there was a light house replica at Fort Canning and it had some Singapore Maritime history to it.

Finally our last station! We headed there on foot as it was nearby. The Compass Warriors station was the one that required the most foot work! We were brisk walking in the hot sun to get the clues and solve them. I think this station burned the most calories as it sent us walking up and down the Singapore River area.

From here it was a fun walk back to Marina Square passing some of Singapore’s iconic landmarks like the Merlion, Marina Bay Sands, Jubilee Bridge, Esplanade etc. We knew we would not be one of the winners so we just took our time and crossed the FINISH line at around 11:20hrs.  We completed all 4 challenges and all 3 bonus challenges! We were rewarded with our FINISHER tees once handed in our game card to organisers. My team scored a total of 247 points! It is not the highest but we were happy to complete all the challenges!

[Photo: Completed the AMC 2017]

SUNDAY WELL-SPENT!

The AMC 2017 was definitely an experience for me and my friends. Definitely a well spent Sunday! It was well organised event that met its aim to promote the Singapore Maritime Industry. We were glad that we got to do, see and learn things that we never would have a chance to do if we did not join this challenge. Kudos to the organisers on a job well done. Thanks to Justin and Femy for recommending this event to us. I would definitely recommend this event to all if you are looking for a fun filled weekend!

[Photo: Goodies from AMC 2017]

World Marathon Majors: Where, When, Why

Mel
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2
World Marathon Majors: Where, When, Why

The Abbott World Marathon Majors is a series consisting of six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world. The races take place in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City. Unless you are an elite or semi-elite that have hit the qualifying timings, your fate is in the hands of lady luck. You ballot for a slot.

Photo Credits: Tom Kauertz

Abbot World Marathon Majors – where champions run!

#1 Tokyo Marathon – February

Photo Credits: wsj

A course of fast times! With the catch phrase – ‘The Day We Unite’, the Tokyo Marathon has grown significantly by bringing together the hearts of runners as well as its many volunteers and supporters. The atmosphere of the Tokyo Marathon is the experience of a lifetime! People of Tokyo come out to support the runners. They encompass the entire course, right from kilometre 1, all the way till you run your final kilometre. The support is really amazing, a race like no other!

#2 Boston Marathon – April

Photo Credits: FF Sports Atlanta

It is an honour to run the oldest annual marathon in the world – Boston Marathon. This race is so rich in history and heritage. You stand at the start line knowing you are amongst the best. You have trained hard and earned your spot by hitting the qualifying mark. Running this is a prestigious experience. You have to hit the qualifying times in order to be a part of this experience!

#3 London Marathon – April

Photo Credits: Visit London

London Marathon starts in Greenwich park and is the 2nd fastest course in the world. The London Marathon showcases the very best London has to offer. It brings you towards Canary Wharf, running along River Thames, along the embankment area passing London Eye and the Houses of Parliament. The marathon is truly the essence of London, and there is no better way to experience London.

#4 Berlin Marathon – September

Photo Credits: Adventure-Marathon

The fastest course in the world – the pancake flat course is probably the reason why most of the world records are run here in Germany. Elites come here to give it a shot at the World Record. And runners come here to give it a shot at a personal best, and also to get a photo with the likes of Kipsang, Bekele or even the current reigning Marathon King – Eliud Kipchoge.

#5 Chicago Marathon – October

Photo Credits: Chicago Marathon

Runners who have done Chicago know this is the best way to see Chicago. The 26 mile course showcases both city and suburb. Every year, tens of thousands of participants toe the start line. The course will wind through the heart of Chicago’s neighborhoods, and there will be thousands of spectators and volunteers to support the marathoners. It is one of the World’s finest marathons.

#6 New York Marathon – November

Photo Credits: My Best Runs

This is the premier running event of New York Road Runners and brings you through the 5 boroughs of New York City. This is the largest marathon in the world. The number of applicants are always at a record high, your chances of getting a slot via the non-guaranteed draw is much lower than the other world marathon majors. Try your luck at running one of the greatest marathon in the world.

May the odds be ever in your favour.

Explore Melbourne by Running – 5 Must-Do Routes For All Tourists

Joey
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0
Explore Melbourne by Running – 5 Must-Do Routes For All Tourists

Touted as the coastal capital of Victoria, Melbourne is a smorgasbord of exciting festivals and activities, great cafes, bars and restaurants and art galleries to tantalise any visitor’s palette. In fact, it is one of the most go-to states for Australians from other parts of Australia for a short weekender.

But don’t think that just because it is such a bustling city that you won’t get good running routes. In fact, here are 5 that will just change your mind.

#1 Princes Park

Photo Credits:Princes Park

If you will like to hopefully check out, or bump into, a sport team while on your run, you may like to check out Princes Park. Ridiculously close to the city and Melbourne University, this 3.2 kilometre running circuit is perfectly flat and super popular, and loops right around the park. The best thing about this place is that you can run at night (it’s well-lit), and even race the trams going up Elizabeth Street.

#2 Treasury Gardens / Fitzroy Gardens

Photo Credits: B & W Bears

Located just across the road from the Melbourne Cricket Ground (or MCG for short), this three kilometer bitumen paved outer circuit is probably one of Melbourne’s prettiest (and easiest) running routes. With soft grass and gentle slopes, this is perfect for those who really want to take it easy and still get a run in. You can even use the nearby stairs at Parliament to warm up!

#3 The Tan Track

Photo Credits: The Long Run 

Flanked by the most beautiful trees in a location just south of the Yarra River, you can follow the trail to Kings, the old Melbourne Observatory, and the Shrine of Remembrance. And an interesting tidbit to know is that The Tan used to be a horse carriage drive for the well-off in Melbourne. Imagine running along that!

#4 Abbotsford Convent

Photo Credits: Abbotsford Convent 

Should “picking your run experience” be something up your alley; you may like to check out Abbotsford Convent. With the garden and grounds accessible via mostly bitumen pathways (some are dirt), you can run past the Collingwood Children’s Farm or just take a chill run along the river. Like I said, you pick your experience.

#5 The Capital City Trail

Photo Credits: Cycle Peter

Providing an uninterrupted linear link around Melbourne’s existing parks and river corridors, the Capital City Trail is a shared-use path for both cyclists and pedestrians. This also means that you need to be careful while you are on your run. You don’t want to be crashing into moving bicycles or other pedestrians and hurting yourself on the concrete ground!

Read More:

  1. 5 Sold Out Triathlons In The World 
  2. Australia’s Most Spectacular Race Course 
  3. 5 Breathtaking Routes In Asia All Runners Must Try 

Explore Sydney By Running – 5 Must-Do Routes For All Tourists

Joey
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0
Explore Sydney By Running – 5 Must-Do Routes For All Tourists

The state in Australia constantly mistaken as its capital, Sydney boasts world renowned architectures like the famed Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Besides these sightseeing wonders, this Australian state is surrounded by the sea and dotted with parks throughout. If you are flying there soon for a holiday and will like to go for a few runs while you are there, you can check out any of these following trails according to the type of runner you are.

#1 Manly to North Head Run

Photo Credits: Abbie Kresner 

Hugged by both the Harbour and the sea, Manly is a popular beach destination situated right next to a protected national park and a headland names North Head. If you are in for an intense run, this trail will satisfy, as it is a challenging uphill climb to North Head from Manly. But the beautiful city view will be a sight to behold when you finally reach the peak. Best of all, you can always jump in for a swim at the end of your run on the beach!

#2 Opera House to Darling Harbour

Photo Credits: Sydney Expert

This route may be more familiar to you, especially if you are a tourist there. And it’s perfect for those who wish to get some exercise done while doing some sightseeing. The route starts from the Opera House and runs along the Harbour and underneath the Harbour Bridge. Thereafter, you can weave along the old historic wharves of Walsh Bay and along Hicksons Road until you end up in bustling Darling Harbour.

#3 Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk

Another significant landmark in Sydney, you can choose to have a slow jog or a proper run along this roughly 6 kilometres stretch (to and fro). Run along the rocky headlands, past Tamarama Beach and finish off at the Bronte pool. Take the opportunity to cool down too while you are there! If you want to take it further, you can continue along the undulating hills to Coogee and enjoy the awesome views along the way.

Read more: Sydney: Running from Bondi to Coogee Beach

#4 Lane Cove National Park

Photo Credits: NSW National Parks

If running through the bush is something you wish to try, then this may just be the trail for you. Although located in inner-city Sydney, you will feel as if you have been taken away to a different, more tranquil locale. Home to plenty of native birds and trees, you can expect their chirping to give you a good distraction while you run up a storm.

#5 Iron Cove

Photo Credits: Pram Walks

With a 7 kilometres trail, this favoured early morning route of the Inner West is great for runners who wish to take it easy and enjoy some of the views along the way. This route is flat and provides stunning views of the cove as the path never deviates more than 20 metres from the water.

Read More:

  1. 5 Races Through Historical Cities 
  2. 4 Women Only Races Worth Joining In Asia Pacific 
  3. 5 Mountains In Asia For A Great Scenic Run

Explore Kuala Lumpur by Running – 5 Must-Do Routes For All Tourists

Joey
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0
Explore Kuala Lumpur by Running – 5 Must-Do Routes For All Tourists

The capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is a city-state full of hustle and bustle. Many people travel there for the food, the shopping and the cultural experience (you will be surprised how much there can be!). And with the current exchange rate, it’s possibly one of the best countries to visit now.

So if you are thinking of checking out the many attractions of Kuala Lumpur, and maybe getting a few runs in while you are at it, you can consider these five trails.

#1 Petronas Twin Towers Trail

It is impossible for anyone not to know what this is. Touted as Kuala Lumpur’s most breathtaking and outstanding structure, the Petronas Twin Towers are not only a sight to behold, there is also a 4.75km long path that runs the perimeter around them, giving anyone an unforgettable view from the ground up at several angles. Just be aware of the hordes of pedestrians and cars though. You are still at the heart of it all!

#2 KLCC Park

Photo Credit: TimeOut

Just a short distance away is a greener alternative. Away from the busy streets and traffic, KLCC Park offers a respite for those seeking one. With a 1.3km jogging trail that is coated with a rubbery material for comfort, ponds, a playground and a mosque, you can be sure to experience a whole lot of bio-diversity and peace on your run. You may even forget that you are in the middle of Kuala Lumpur!

#3 Bukit Kiara

Photo Credits: Vitamin Sunshine

After all the binging on the countless local delights, perhaps you may be looking for a more intensive run. Get your heart pumping with a run up the hill for a good mix of jungle and paved streets at Taman Tun Dr Ismail. The park isn’t far off from KL Sentral and the workout you get will be well worth it.

#4 Putrajaya

Photo Credits: Kuala Lumpur-ws

If you fancy something a little less strenuous, then the long and flat running tracks around the lake and through the heart of Putrajaya may just be what you need. Located just a step away from the town, you will be rewarded with pretty scenery and when you are done with your run, you can also opt to cool off with some watersports or simply chill out under the shade.

#5  Desa Park City

Photo Credits: The Edge Property

A new residential area just north-west of the city centre, you will find Desa Park City. If serenity and tranquility is what you are seeking, this quaint suburban setting will be on your list of favourite running spots for good reason. The awesome thing about this place is that it’s family-friendly and perfect for beginning or casual runner to do an easy jog around their 2.2km picturesque loop.

Read More:

  1. 4 Insane Races We Will Never See In Singapore
  2. Top 5 Richest Marathons In The World 
  3. Australia’s Most Spectacular Race Course 

How To Improve Your Physical Fitness Test?

Joey
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0
How To Improve Your Physical Fitness Test?

A phrase most of us dread to hear – Physical Fitness Test. And I’m pretty sure that even though you may feel that you are the fittest you have been in decades, the mere mention of having to do your physical fitness is enough to set you sweating and wondering if you will be able to get through it with just one try.

So if you have been through a few of these tests and are still rather unhappy with the results, here are some things you can do to amp up your performance in your next one and get that score you want.

#1 Start a training calendar

If you are lucky, you may get some time off before the commencement of your Physical Fitness Test to prepare. Setting a calendar helps organise your plans and gets you on it in good time.

Make sure you follow it through and spread your workouts evenly so you don’t overwork certain parts of your body and injure yourself in the process. Give yourself a day or two to take a breather because even if your mind is willing, your body can only take so much.

#2 Decide Which Exercise You Need To Improve On And Work At It

I’m horrible at Sit-and-Reach. What I used to do to train for it was to get a friend to push me down while I stretched as far as I could go and I would try to stay there for as long as I could hold.

So if you aren’t performing as well as you should be at your 2.4km run, you can do more jogging above the rest of the other workouts. Time yourself when you do and get quicker as you progress so that when the time comes for your test, you will be running at a faster time with little or no effort.

#3 The Tip Is To Strengthen Your Core Muscles

Many people don’t realise this but when you build strong core muscles, you will actually find it easier to complete your physical fitness course with as little effort as possible. Think pull-ups, sit-ups and even the sprint exercise.

When you have strong core muscles, you will start to use them instead of your arms or legs or even your neck, to do the exercises. This will relief the strain on these appendages and also reduce the possibility of injury to your muscles.

#4 Eat Right

As much as you may not see a direct link to how doing this will help you improve your performance in your physical fitness test, it does. Consuming a healthy diet, in combination with your training, can help to cleanse your body and lighten it, while giving your body the necessary nutrients to bring your fitness level upwards.

Read More:

  1. 5 Best Food For Runners
  2. 3 Substitutes For Rice That Are Healthy And Help You Lose Weight
  3. Vegan V Runner

Boston Marathon 2017 Moments

Mel
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0
Boston Marathon 2017 Moments

Being such an iconic marathon, of course we would expect nothing less than great iconic moments. It is always an honour to run the oldest annual marathon in the world.You stand at the start line knowing you are amongst the best. You have trained hard and earned your spot by hitting the qualifying mark. Running this is a prestigious experience. It is no wonder this race is on the bucket list of many runners. It is also no wonder why many world class athletes just keep coming back here for more.

#1 Edna Kiplogat Shows us that Old Is Gold

Photo Credits: Flotrack

Edna obliterated her competition with a monster surge. She ran a 3 minute/km split on heartbreak hill, to which her competition could not give a response. She ran so well that towards the ending you couldn’t catch her competition in the same frame as her. She ran the 4th fastest time on this course. This would be in addition to her New York City Marathon and London Marathon wins. Edna showed us that being 38 wasn’t going to slow her down.

#2 Galen Rupp Does It Again

Photo Credits: Flotrack

All eyes were on Galen. Could he live up to his coach – Alberto Salazar’s name and win the Boston Marathon as Salazar did back in 1982. It was hopes and dreams for an American win. Although Rupp came in Silver, his grit and determination was admirable. He ran a really good race. His marathon career is really off to a great start. He has gotten top 3 finishes for all 3 marathons he has ran – a win at the Olympic Trials, a bronze at the Olympics, and a Sliver at the famous Boston Marathon. Look out for Rupp!

#3 Jordan Hasay Runs The Best US Marathon Debut Time

All eyes were on Den Linden, but it was Hasay that delivered the podium finish. Hasay destroyed the US debut record by 3 minutes, clocking in a 2 hours 23 minutes 00 seconds timing. 2 things Hasay and Rupp share in common – flying the US flag high and being coached by the famed Alberto Salazar. We expect more to come from this young one.

#4 Meb Keflezighi Runs His Final Boston Marathon

Photo Credits: Boston Globe

Meb won the Boston title for US back in 2014. He won it wearing the names of  Martin Richard, Lingzi Lu, Krystle Campbell, and Sean Collier – victims of the Boston bombings in 2013. He crossed the Boston Marathon finish line to a standing ovation.

People were cheering for him ‘Boston Strong. Meb Strong.’

Meb is now 42 but he finished graciously and with remarkable spirit. He is one of the runners who draws strength from the crowd, always thanks the crowd and runs with his heart. His spirit is so so admirable.

#5 Katherine Switzer Runs Boston – One Last Time

Photo Credits: Boston Globe

The first woman to run Boston Marathon 50 years ago – does it again. She makes a triumphant return bearing the bib number 261 in a great time – 4:44:31, really great considering Katherine is 70 this year! Can we say wow again? The number 261 will be retired in honour of Katherine.

We look forward to more record breaking moments next week at the London Marathon 2017! Stay Tuned!

Read More:

  1. 6 Coolest Running Tracks In The World 
  2. 5 Best Food For Runners
  3. Highlights Of Nitro Athletic – The Future Of Athletics 

New Parks In Singapore To Get Some Running Done

Joey
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0
New Parks In Singapore To Get Some Running Done

Singapore is not known as a garden city for no reason. While you may see many a high rise building and a, well, concrete jungle in most parts of the city, you will also find much greenery surrounding it.

But though this has given way to plenty of beautiful parks around the island, some of us may be craving for a new trail, a new challenge, or just simply, a change of scenery. If you happen to be one of these people, these new parks on this sunny island of ours may just peak your interest.

#1 Chestnut Nature Park

Photo Credits: N Park

For those of you residing around the west, you may want to check out this (very) new park located close to Dairy Farm and just next to the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. This 64-hectare nature park is a Northern add on to the existing Southern one, bringing the total area size to 81-hectares, equivalent to more than 110 soccer fields put together.

Currently the largest nature park in Singapore, it is also the only one to have separate trails for bikers and hikers. And because of the extension, both these trails have also been increased with the bike trail now 8.2km instead of the initial 1.6km and the hiking trail now 5.6km as compared to the old 2.1km.

And since it is more of a hiking trail, it is recommended that you do a slow jog through the trail to not only avoid unnecessary injury, but also to enjoy the flora and fauna along the way.

#2 Springleaf Nature Park

Photo Credits: Strait Times

Probably not as new as Chestnut Nature Park since this one opened in late 2014, but it is still a park worth mentioning. The first of four parks to be created around the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, it is possibly a good alternative to the famed MacRitche Reservoir since it is also located at upper Thomson, which isn’t too far away.

With observation decks in place, you can also start or end your workout with a nice view of the surrounding scenery and birds flitting about the area. And then take yourself for a nice prata treat at the nearby well-known Springleaf Prata.

#3 Windsor Nature Park

Less than a year old and still relatively unheard of, Windsor Nature Park is also one of the four nature parks serving as a buffer to the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. Also located along upper Thomson Road, this park was established about half a year before Springleaf Nature Park and boasts a myriad of flora and fauna to be appreciated and admired.

And if you happen to be staying in or around Venus Drive, this will be a great place to go for a morning or evening run, or just to take a slow walk to relax.

Read More:

  1. 3 Awesome Cycling Trails In Singapore You Need To Know 
  2. 3 Most Unique Running Events In Singapore
  3. An Interview With Neo Jie Shi – Olympic Marathoner 

6 Coolest Running Tracks In The World

Mel
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1
6 Coolest Running Tracks In The World

We runners are different. We are a little crazy, but mostly just really passionate about our hobby. We have many weird bucket lists—like running the Walt Disney Marathon or visiting cool running tracks around the world. We came up with a list of the Coolest Running Tracks around the world. The next time you happen to be in town, be sure to drop by—probably something only runners would appreciate.

#1 Michael Jonson Track @ Nike HQ Beaverton Oregon, USA

Photo Credits: Nike Woodlands Oregon

Everyone is no stranger to this beautiful track – possibly the most famous training track on the planet. It is a true unique sight as the track cuts through the woodlands but with the familiar rubber track under foot. It really is no surprise why Flanegan, Rupp and Farah love their playground! It is such a magnificent gem!

#2 Chamonix, France

Photo Credits: manvmile

Speed work away against the background of iconic Mount Blanc. Run on the foothills of the stunning Mount Blanc. Let the amazing view take your breath away. Stare at stunning glaciers whilst running your laps. It will be an experience to boast about, with a view to shout about!

#3 Brigham Young University Track, Utah, USA

Photo Credits: manvmile

With snow capped mountains, open bright blue skies and a bright blue track, this is probably as close as you can get to the feeling of running on water. It’s absolutely stunning! You will be so caught up with the beauty, running would probably feel effortless.

#4 Osaka Air Track, Japan

Photo Credits: Spoon & Tamago

A pretty cool initiative having a 300m running track suspended above. This is definitely something to boast about. The next time you are in Osaka, don’t forget to give this track a visit.

#5 Iten, Kenya

Photo Credits: Running Iten

Yeah, it may not look much, but this is the track that produces champions. This is the track of Olympic Dreams. What and honour it would be.

#6 3D Track, Alicante, Spain

Looking to incorporate some hills into your workout? Track too flat for you? We’ve got an answer for you.

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