“Wet” and “muddy” are the words to describe the Marina Run which took place on 25 February 2017. The race venue was at Gardens by the Bay (East) with three run categories: 5 km Fun Run, 10 km (which I took part in) and 21 km.

A big thank you to the organiser 42 Race for the slot – I was pretty excited as this was my first time joining the Marina Run. Before the run, I read about previous editions and noticed that interestingly, Marina Run usually took place after or during a heavy downpour almost every year – and it happened again this year!

Race Entry Pack Collection (REPC)

REPC was held over the weekend 11 – 12 February 2017 at City Square Mall.  I went on a Sunday to collect my race pack.

1. Fast & efficient REPC – Collection was a breeze! Only a few people were in front of me and the whole entire collection process took around 5 minutes.
2. Bib Check Point – I liked how the organisers designed the exit of the queue so that each participant will walk past a bib checkpoint to see whether the Race time-tag works.

There were the usual pop-up booths selling sports goods at the REPC site but what got my attention were the running route map boards. The 10 km route map board shows a route that I have never run before and I am excited about the upcoming race.

[Photo of the REPC Site]

Race Pack Goodies

There was really nothing much in the race pack, with the typical discount flyers, event tee from Brooks and a race tag. It was pretty disappointing for a race that cost SGD60.

[Photo of the Race Pack Goodies]

Shuttle Bus Service

As with most runs held at the Gardens by the Bay (East), there was a free shuttle service between Stadium MRT Station and the event site. It was still raining heavily when I arrived at Stadium MRT and the waiting time for the shuttle was around 20 minutes. Thankfully there were no strong winds otherwise it would have been a dreadful and cold wait. While waiting, there was an announcement via Facebook stating that the 5km flag-off timing would be delayed for half an hour, but nothing was mentioned regarding the 10 km category. I prayed that my race would not be cancelled.

Bag Deposit

[Photo credit: PrisChew.com]

A soggy and muddy ground greeted me at the bag deposit counter. I had to gingerly mind my steps as I made my way around the puddles and muddy spots.  I was glad that the bag deposit process was fast and efficient and carefully made my way back on the paved walkway.

Race Start

As expected, there was a delay in the flag-off for the 10 km category because of the 5 km late start. I had to wait for 30 minutes before the opening of the START pen. Unlike the 5km category’s delay, there was no Facebook update on the 10 km category’s delay except for an announcement by the emcee. I was glad to have made a new friend, Lay Hwa while waiting and that made the wait a little more bearable.

Suggested improvement: The organisers can consider sending SMS or text messages to participants regarding delays, in addition to announcements made over the PA system. This would also cater to people who have not reached the race site or who are away from the main stage area, listening to their own music etc.

Race Route

We were flagged off at 1812hrs and you could see everybody starting cautiously as the pavement was still wet. The first 3 km were pretty much the same as the other races at Gardens by the Bay (East). The challenging part of the race was from Gardens by the Bay (East) towards the Marina Barrage up the slopes. I was pretty happy to set a personal record according to my STRAVA, for the Marina Barrage Loop (where I have been training during my weekly runs).  From the fourth kilometre, we had to run behind the Marina Bay Golf Course towards East Coast Park (ECP).  Though it wasn’t very scenic, it was a pleasant change. It was pretty flat from that point onwards.  Route markers were clearly located and easily spotted.

Hydration points were also well located and sufficiently stocked. The isotonic drink available en route was Herbalife’s new berry flavoured CR7 Drive for isotonic. Personally, I didn’t fancy the berry flavoured isotonic drink and would have preferred the traditional 100 Plus or Pocari Sweat drink.

Suggested improvements for the race route (which otherwise was a well-planned route):

1. Try not to plan a route with stairs – I encountered stairs upon entering ECP and didn’t like it as they were a safety concern, especially while running down the stairs in a crowd.
2. Cordon off the running route – The last 200m was a little chaotic as the route was not cordoned off properly. Runners had to cross a zebra crossing and dodge participants who had just finished the race and hanging around that area.

Post -Race

Crossing the Finish line should be a happy moment but that joy was short-lived when we had to collect our runner entitlements.  I was greeted by a bottleneck as everyone was trying in vain to avoid the muddy field. No one was spared from having muddy shoes! Even after collecting the entitlements, it was a challenge getting out of the muddy area. Our shoes looked as though we have just completed the Spartan race.

Bag collection was also dreadful as all of us had to stand on the muddy grounds even though it was fast. There were even mud stains on my bag after I collected it back!

Suggested improvement: Consider installing a wooden plank base when setting up tents in open fields for future races. This would minimise participants’ contact with muddy fields and would also make the volunteers’ job more pleasant.

My Thoughts

Overall it was a good run event but there are things that I thought the organiser could have done better to improve the post-race experience. While the weather is understandably unpredictable, the organisers could have been more prepared for muddy grounds given that the same scenario happened in previous years.

Anyway, I’m still happy to be given the opportunity to experience this run event and hope that participants next year won’t experience muddy grounds! Till my next review, stay fit and fabulous everyone!

(Photo Credits: Running Shots -Epalite) Race slot is still available up for grab to even 1 day before race day, according to their Facebook page, it’s due to overwhelming response or is it really “overwhelming response”? ? But I think the response is really not that good since there’s not really a lot of runners ?

Many of my friends didn’t sign up for this race when they usually are always keen for races. According to many of my friends there is many reasons why they don’t want to sign up for this race. One of the reason is because race slot is expensive, a 21 km slot cost $70!!! Even the early bird slot is $60. This is really expensive. But the main reason my friends are not signing up is because according to them the finisher medal looks awful! ?

They can be very exaggerating and is just joking but see, that’s so much the power of a medal can deter many of my friends from signing up races. They can also happy happy sign up a race because the medal is chio! But I think at least there’s a medal for this race and it is my hard earned medal and I like it though the colour combination really not nice ?

The bouquet of flower is really chio right? Receiving a flower can really brightened someone’s day! Instantly happy! ? Though I’ve ever imagined that one day someone special will be waiting for me at the finishing line with flowers, then twirl me 3 rounds in the air then kneel down on one knee with a ring, still so single but dare to dream right? ? But this pretty flowers is not from any knight in armour but is from Center Piece Floral Thank you for the flowers! It’s really beautiful! I’ve ever imagined a lot of romantic things that may happen during a run, in a run or after a run because there’s some guys who had done those romantic stunts like this which others would call them as “spoil market” ?

There is 3 distance category, 5km, 10km and 21km. I participated in the 21km category. This is my 8th half marathon but the first half marathon that I participated that is held in the evening. I think I like the evening half marathon as we do not need to wake up very early and catch a shuttle bus. I like the weather as its cooling after the rain. Maybe that is why I can get a PB! Yes, after 7 half marathon, I finally beat my first half marathon timing! ?

On race day, it rained. Not very good as their Facebook page informed runners the flag off for 5km is delayed for 30 minutes. And tell us to stay tuned for more information but really kns, not really informative ? The 10km category flag off is delayed too so I happily thought half marathon will be delayed too and still don’t want to go start pen yet and happily wait at the finishing line to help YiHeng take finisher photos ?

So I missed the first flag off for the 21km category and was flagged off at 7.16pm. Then it was like a “chasing game” for me, I aimed to catch up with the 2 hours 30 minutes pacers. I’ve done the Maths, if I manage to do so, it will mean that I can complete the run under 2 hours 14 minutes ? That’s the best timing I’ve ever gotten so far, while I was running at Hong Kong Standard Chartered Marathon 2 weeks ago, 21.1km marked at 2 hours 14 minutes, I was telling myself if that run, a total distance of 42km and I can do it, I can do it too for this run! But every run is different and unique, every route is different. So I tell myself not to think too much just run.

Seriously I didn’t spot any distance marker till I saw the first one at 8km. I think maybe I’m really “blind” ? Throughout the run I’m looking for Kelvin, one of my friend who put me “aeroplane” and run first and I couldn’t find him when he said he saw me at 2 places during the run ? After 8pm, the route of the run is really dark, floor is wet so I tell myself to run with care.

I don’t really like the isotonic water as it tastes like diluted syrup drink and it’s not cold enough, maybe if it’s colder it would taste nicer. Now I missed Pocari sweat and 100 Plus sponsored running events, their drinks is always cold and shiok. Still, Milo is best ?

For the first 10km, I was chasing a female runner. She’s fast and her pace is constant. I was good till after 10km when I looked at my Garmin and was shocked. I hit my 10km PB! Sub 1 hour for 10km! I can pop a champagne at that moment! I was so excited and touched that I wanted to share the news with my running friends at that moment! Then have to tell myself stay calm, I still have more than 11km to go. But I started slowing down after that.

Still no sight of the pacers till shortly before the u-turn point at ECP I saw the 2 hrs 30 mins pacers going back. I saw hope ? Finally see them! But they were no where in sight after I u-turned. ECP is really torturous ? Don’t like to run in there anymore, it’s long and endless, now I don’t know if I dare to participate in any recent runs there ? Till 15km finally I saw them but I was slowing down so much but I tell myself stay strong! Catch up with them, don’t put all the hard work to waste! Now I think I am really very self motivated ? Till the last 4km I felt slight pain at my abdominal area and run like chicken with both my hands pressing at the side of my waist but still determined to carry on. Sorry if I had blocked anyone ?

Till the last 3km, the road is very narrow and conjested. There were cyclists, the path is dark and wet and there were cyclists ringing their bells to other runners ahead which I’m getting annoyed ? They should be understanding that there is a running event going on or the organisers should have road blocks and get permits or whatever that is needed so the runners can run in peace. At the last 2km, I really cannot tahan anymore and start to walk but I don’t want to lose sight of the paces that I walk chiong walk chiong to catch up with them. Till I saw a familiar runner and tell myself run with him and there it is the last 1 km I try to catch up with him, over take the 2hrs 30minutes pacers though both of us were in the second wave and manage to run all the way to the finish line where I can still do a last 100 metre sprint! ? Thank you barefoot runner! If not for the last 1km, I surely could have reach the finishing much slower and couldn’t get it under 2hr15mins!

Though I had a great run but it’s really a horror at baggage deposit area and at after finishing line where the runners collect their medals and entitlements, because it’s super muddy. And the sad part is at the end of my 21km I only get 2 small cups of water and the isotonic drink, easily finished my drinks in seconds. Maybe can be more generous with us and give us bottled drinks. One bottle of water from the supermarket cost maybe $0.40, your race slot is $70 ?

See the outcome of my shoes ? It is really muddy the moment I step out of the tentage after the finisher entitlement collection ? My shoes is all muddy. True that there are quite a few runners who come out shoes super clean but many of us are so tired after a half marathon and they want to give us “obstacles course”? ? Maybe be a better Organised next time such as putting floor boards, now my super muddy shoe is still waiting for me to scrub them ?

I took part in this virtual run for the first time and truly enjoyed it! It says a habit can be formed in every 21 days. Running to me is already a habit, but for other (good) habits that you have not formed, try to do it for 21 days consecutively and see if you will achieve any success. A good example – Quit Smoking. If you are currently a smoker, try to quit it and persist for 21 days. I hope it can really change your life forever. Smoking is harmful to yourself, to the environment and to the people around you. 21 days is all it takes. Try it.

42race has this 21Day Challenge every month. This year I believe will be all about Horoscope. February challenge is Aquarius theme – Be the fighter. You can choose to run either 20KM, 50KM, 100KM or 200KM. I signed up for 100KM because 50km is too little and 200km is too much for me at the moment. 

I love the medal and looking forward to receive it!

My normal monthly running mileage is about 70 – 80KM. But for this challenge, I completed slightly more than 100KM in 21 days! If you have a goal in mind, you will do everything to achieve it, come hell or high water. This was what I did. Having something to look forward to is important so that your daily life will be more fulfilling and exciting :D.

Another goal of mine is to run my first full marathon. I am aiming to do it by the end of this year. I think by then I will be ready to take on the challenge.

If you are happy, go for a run. If you are depressed? go for a run. After a good run, sweat it out, you will definitely feel much lighter and happier! Have a more positive outlook and ready to take on any life challenges.

One of my LSDs was from Ghim Moh Link to Harbourfront via the Southern Ridges with my brother and sister. We took our own sweet time to run there from about 7am+. We even had our Roti Prata breakfast at Seah Im Food Centre, chit chat and then ran back to Ghim Moh Link again. Total distance clocked was about 20.5KM. It was a nice route and weather was great. We stopped for water break at Hort Park as we didn’t want to carry any water with us. Hort Park has got many water coolers and vending machines. I look forward to more long runs like this!

42race’s website is not very pro in my opinion but there are many run submissions every day. Every time I log in, I see new submission and it keeps refreshing itself like every few seconds! Wow the traffic is indeed quite substantial. I think they are quite successful as a Virtual Run organiser. The medal design is nice and it attracts many people to sign up with a reasonable fee of S$9.90. Most importantly, the motivation to run is there. I think I won’t be signing up again for March challenge because I will be going for a short trip during the school holiday. But I will most likely sign up for April challenge because there is 2XU Compression Run and 50 Hours Non Stop Run :D. A good opportunity to pump up the mileage run. Haha. 

Agaration about 25% of deaths in Singapore every year is related to cancer. It’s really a very high percentage ? With advances in science and cancer research activities, it is hopeful that progressive breakthroughs can lead to a cure and manage cancer better. Run for hope is a run to raise awareness and support of cancer research. Contribution in healthcare research is really important, even Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg also contributes billions of money in healthcare research aiming to cure all illnesses including cancer.

There is 2 distance category, the 3.5km and 10km. So I still turn up for the run though I was still sick as this is a rather meaningful running event, I feel ok and I could just turn up and walk all the 10km as I assume since there is no medal and no timing chip, there is also no cut off time ? Just possible that when I return to the finish point nothing is there anymore ?

One of the reasons I participated in this run is also in remembrance of a lady, which fate had causes us to cross path in life. Seeing her going through many check ups, chemotherapy, taking of the medicines and going through pain and side effects over years, she was a determine and strong women and had fought fiercely battle after battle from breast cancer to liver cancer. You just have to believe that sometimes people come into your life to give you valuable lessons so that you will learn.

(Photo Credits: JJL Runners – Veronica) Though there is no finisher medal and no timing chip to record timing, it is still nice to see many runners I know at the event and so many people showed up to support the event though weekends is really shiok to nua in bed. But it will be nice to give us finisher medals as extra motivation, especially to medal collectors like me, the eyes will have heart heart like this: ? when we receive medals after the runs ? I think with medal and timing chips, more people may participate in this event.

I really like the bib design as there’s a blank space for the participants to write their dedications. Added to my wall of collection if the running bibs ? I cleared the entire one side of my room to leave the wall out and I think it is going to take years to fill it up with running bibs ?

The website and social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram is very well updated and maintained. With inspirational posts from cancer survivors and contest such as the best bib designed to keep the participants involved.

(Photo Credits: Running Shots – Eugene Tan)
On race day, weather is good but now I really miss the feeling of running at 13 degrees in Hong Kong. Seriously must run in cold countries then will know it’s so shiok! Not every run need to chiong so I went slow, chit chat with my friend and when Photographers spotted, we act like we very hardworking and run ? See the above photo is so nice ? Thank you photographer ? And so nice when the photographer took down his “weapon” off his face then I realised it’s Eugene! A running friend who have passion for photography and now he have joined running shots to take photographs of runners during running. Say hi to him when you see him in your future runs! ?

Maybe because there is no timing chip, I have no motivation to push myself to run plus I’m sick anyway, so don’t need to be so hard on myself. It’s still enjoyable though at my 7th km, the Sun is out and started to feel hot but I already gave up in hiding from the Sun months ago, I’m getting so much tanner and many people mistook me as foreigners. Come to think of it, I’m very universal ? Over the years, I’ve been mistaken before as their local when I visited their country for holiday or back here at home Singapore as Thai, Burmese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Indonesian and I’m most commonly mistaken as Malay.

The portable toilet is enough for the participants and no queues for baggage deposits and collections also no queues. Flag off for the 10km is at Bayfront event space at 7.15am sharp shortly followed by the 3.5km category. The race route is the usual route to Marina Barrage and u-turn back at Garden by the Bay East. There’s many water points along the route with only water and no isotonic drink but also never mind because at the race village got two Milo vans! Win liao! Hope more future runs will have Milo vans in the race village or even Milo at the hydration points along the routes! Stay hopeful! ?

And also the Vitagen tentage is fantastic lah! Got photo booth and also provide like unlimited bottles of Vitagens for the runners!

Overall I enjoyed the event very much, especially the Milo van and the trampoline workout we sat near the performance area at least a good 10 minutes watching the new type of workout, it seemed really fun!

This time, as a friend said to me, ‘You are running for the animals’.  Yes, it’s the Safari Zoo Run and I was answering the call to raise awareness for wildlife conservation.  To make things interesting, there are 4 teams: Team Ah Meng (orang utans), Canola (manatee representing aquatic wildlife), Chawang (elephants) and Sunny (Hornbills).  I love birds so I picked Team Sunny, the Hornbill Mascot.  I joined the 10 km competitive category and there were 5.5 km, 2.5 km family and kids’ dashes.

My friend, Francis had signed up ahead and I had tried my luck at getting a free slot first as the entry fee was relatively high.  I had made a resolution to cut down on ‘racing’ since this was eating hard into my budget and overall plan.  It didn’t help that I took up running at such a late stage too.  Recently, for brief moments, I wish I was younger to start on this stage of life as I realized that in the real world, age is an issue most of the times – try competing for the same position in a company or for any sponsorship.

But still, it had been a rediscovery of the self as I entered into this year of the Rooster, recovering from a fractured spine.  You are as young as you think (or as old).  Running had also strengthened that belief.

I was getting ready my credit card to pay the entry fees one morning after the futile attempts to get sponsorship.  Then I saw a post on FB by Run Society, the official online media, for a giveaway contest of free slots.  I tried my luck and got it !  So thanks to Run Society, I got the opportunity to Run For Wildlife free for this race… before I meet Francis again for his debut full marathon in March (Sundown).

The race pack collection was a new experience as the organizer introduced automated machine for dispensing the entry pack.  I got my pack without mishap as the volunteers were more than ready to help when I hesitated.  There was still some manual handling as I was given the blue carrier for the pack with the discount coupons by the volunteer but it was done in double quick time since there was no queue and I got those as I was waiting for the machine to print the bib.  (I realized some folks did encounter some delays on other time of the day due to unfamiliarity and ‘waiting time’.)  Still, it was a positive attempt at making it available 24 hours to participants in future.

On race day, I made it to the start line early and the race was flagged off 10 minutes after the announced start time.   Francis ended up in the second wave with his friend.  But he caught up at his fast pace when I just reached the 3 km checkpoint and then he was gone as he maintained his pace.  The route was well marked and volunteers were on hand to guide throughout.  The hydration points provided both water and Aquarius drinks except for the last station, I believe.  The first hydration point was located less than a kilometer from start point.

Results were announced 2 days after the event.  I realized that photo finishes were taken for participants.  I observed there might be gaps in the shots so certain time stretches were completely missing (or at least at point of writing this post).

Looking at some of the shots too, I thought the camera could be more prominently shown because there was a number of shots of blocked runners or too close a shot. Not many seemed to be aware of the placement of the cameras.

But Running Shots photographers were on the running route and as usual they took their splendid shots of the different categories (and they are ‘free’!).  I took the liberty of sharing some of those candid shots of the young participants.  You could just search for Running Shots on facebook if you are somehow new to them and they usually indicate the time span and physical location of the photo shots.  (Thank you for the photos, Marcus from Running Shots.)

The air was fresh in the early morning (there were some stretches where you could smell fresh animal dung too) and the route was an interesting break from the usual Singapore race routes.  You won’t be seeing elephants or lions (including white lions) for example in the enclosures along a normal race route.  So I would say it’s an attractive route though there were some slight gradients.  Surprisingly during the run, I didn’t experience any mosquito bites as one might expect.

I collected the finisher medal and a cup of water at the finishing point.  The finisher medal was unique too, with designs of the four endangered mascots.  Then we had to make our way out some distance to the ‘entitlement’ area before we could get the usual stuff like bananas and Aquarius drinks.  We also met the peahen and its chicks making their rounds at the area, unperturbed by the crowd around them.

We made our way back to the zoo to spend some time with the animals before we made our respective way back home.  It was a nice way to cool down after a race.  As you could see, I was fascinated too by the white tigers.  I enjoyed the morning with the wildlife and this also made up for missing my planned visit to the zoo last year.

So this is also part of my journey back to another full marathon – the Sundown, my fourth full marathon since 2015 and then onto my 8th Half Marathon (2XU)  a week after.  I will be attempting these challenges to support a cause close to my heart and hope to get some support for the kids. https://www.simplygiving.com/runforthekids. Till then, run safe and happy.