Super fast are the words that immediately come to my mind when I think or hear the word relay! Yesterday (25.09.2016) was my first time joining a relay run event! The ASICS City Relay Singapore to be exact! There were around 3000 runners gathered at the Singapore Sports hub gathered for this event! It was a really well organised and super fun event and my team gave their 100% to running their best!

There are two categories for this run event which was the Marathon and Half Marathon. Each runner from a four person team will complete a total of either 10.5km (2 laps of 5.25km) or 5.25km. My team, Speedy4, consisted of my brother, Joshua (2nd runner), Jennifer (1st runner), Cheng Yee (4th runner) and me (3rd runner) and we chose the Half Marathon category. This was the best option for us as we all knew we would all average about 1/2 an hour per person. 1/2 an hour is not a long wait, in fact time past really fast which was good, no long in between breaks!!

Here are some of the things which I enjoyed from The ASICS City Relay Singapore:

Fantastic organisation – The organisers (IRONMAN Endurance Asia Pte. Ltd.) did a fantastic job by making sure that everything ran smoothly from race start, to changing of runners to race end.  Punctual flag-off timing. They had the changing pens labelled properly and volunteers standing by to announce the runners number if they could not find their team mates. Sufficient notice were given to participants to head down into the holding pens. No signs of over crowding just really smooth transition. One of the highlights was the fireworks when the first runners were flagged off! This was the first time I saw fireworks used for flag-off and it was really cool! What a sight! Too bad I didn’t have a photo of it.

Well planned race route – We started and ended at the Singapore Sports Hub. This was my first time running this route which took me past the underground Sports Hub carpark which had really cool colourful led lightings setup which made it exciting running in the dark for the first 300m, slowly leading you out around the Singapore Sports hub and it’s surroundings. The water points were well positioned along the route and offered Pocari Sweat drinks and ice cold water! The route was slightly challenging route with a few slopes in between, the toughest being the underground tunnel near Kallang Riverside Park. There was no congestion at all along the routes, making it  a really enjoyable run. There were also cheer leaders somewhere along the 4 km mark cheering the participants on and giving them that extra push.

Fun activities at race village – The race site had many fun photo booths where runners can have their photos to remember this run event. There were altogether 3 photo booths, the most I’ve seen at a run event and all with different backdrops. There was a Bubble Bump area where participants can experience that sport! I’m not that adventurous and didn’t to go try it and plus I was already tried out from the run. DJ Victoria was spinning cool beats too at the race village and I definitely enjoyed it. Good music always makes an event more enjoyable. There were also LED robots at the race village for cool photo opportunities!

Cool Race Relay slap band & Medal  – As this was my first relay, it was my first time that I saw a relay slap band which is like the baton that you pass to the next runner! This snap band actually lights ups and it looks super cool in the dark. When you are waiting at the transition area, you can see the blinking lights and you immediately know that a runner is approach and you keep a lookout! The finisher medal was also something that you wouldn’t expect from a normal run event, since this was a relay race, the medal for the team were all interconnected to form a medallion. Love the unique design of each piece and it’s really pretty!

Immediate Results – One of the things which I hate the most for run events is waiting for the official results. For this run event, there was live tracking and the official results was made available like immediately! Super impressed with it! To add, their race certificate was really nicely designed too. As for statistics, the ones provided were clear and and easy to understand.

Fantastic Positive Competitive Vibes – Somehow or rather during a relay, the energy seems more charged! Participants were rarely seen walking compared to other races! The competitive edge could be seen while running. That definitely gave me the motivation to push on! Another reason was that you did not want your next runner to be waiting super long! These two reason were enough to keep me moving!

Fun Instagram contests – These are always interesting because the organisers didn’t forget those participants not competing for any of the race categories grand prizes. This year they had best baton and best dressed teams. Not too sure that I would dress up for a run event as I may not be able to run it but still it sounded fun to have these contest running along sides. Congrats to the teams that won.

Cool Lights and Social Media Display on the huge display boards – So the organisers got participants to Instagram and hashtag their pictures. If they got picked up, they would be displayed on on of the big screen within the stadium. The Sports hub had really cool light features and check out my first feature image! The event’s name was display on the top of the roof of the stadium!

Overall, my team and I enjoyed this race! We gave it our best and will definitely have fond memories of our first relay event! My brother was still raving about this event during our dinner conversation and he was saying that he would want to join it again next year because it was a really fun and super well organised events! I couldn’t agree more with him! There was really nothing to fault for this event! This is really a first for me!

Till my next write-up! Let’s all stay #LeanStrongAgeDefiant!

Thank you JustRunLah! Though I was given a slot from JustRunLah! to register for a team of 4 for Asics Relay that is also happening at about the same day same time, I decided to go to OCC 3 Ten Run instead though many of my running friends are running the Asics Relay. Though its possible, but I’m not that hardcore enough to run OCC 3 Ten run then rush down to run Asics Relay ? I registered for the OCC 3 Ten Run as I have won the race slot from Facebook contest! ? I’m rarely lucky to win stuff and I need more luck in life too ?

Decided to run OCC 3 Ten Run instead of Asics Relay is also because the venue is just 5 to 10 minutes walk from home ? Think it is the second OCC Golf Course run ever. Can’t remember how come I didn’t sign up for the run the first time it held last year but isn’t it also interesting and unique because its running on a Golf Course, which is out of the norm unlike running in sports hub, ECP or the CBD area? ?

It’s my only running event in September. I’m cutting down on running events unless I really want to run it. Need to save up to get a pole to install in my room. Pole is getting tough and feel like giving up but I’ve already come this far, shouldn’t give up like this. So I choose the option that I should get a pole and practice more. Can’t believe that a freaking pole with a brand and made of chrome will cost $500 ? But I’ll rather be safe and get an authentic pole than break any part of me then feel sorry.

My friend came over and put her bag and we walk to the race venue together and went directly to the start pent. It is a small running event and there isn’t a lot of runners and the flag off is on time, flagging us off by the MP of Nee Soon South, Dr Lee Bee Wah. Overall, I’m a happy resident in Nee Soon South ? She is always so smiley, very nice and supportive, manage to get a photo with her ?

Though I’ve already expected that it is gonna be a lot of slopes and it’s a hilly course as we are running on a golf course but I’m seriously having a great time chatting with my friend, YiJing that I don’t feel any up slopes at all. Destiny and fate can just appear out of no where when you least expect it to. Really happy for her as it’s just beautiful like a fairytale ?

As YiJing seldom run, we were going very slow that people who walk may also be faster than us ? But we are just happily chatting and updating each other with what’s going on with our lives and of course we stop very frequently to take photos when we spot a nice view! ?

It was funny at first because I was telling YiJing about what is printed on the back of the event shirt, “Singapore’s First Night Golf Course Run!” Shouldn’t it be considered as evening run since it’s 6pm at the time of flag off? ? Or last year it’s a night run because this should be the second year? ? But we were really going so slow that we took 1hr45mins to complete the 10km run and by the time we complete the run its already dark to be considered as a night run ?

Although sometimes it is still quite hot and sunny at 6 plus in the evening but today is a perfect day to for running! Although at the beginning the sky is threatening a little that it may rain but luckily the weather is perfectly fine. There’s wind and I don’t feel hot and humid at all ?

There is only 2 hydration points at about 3km and 5km but somehow maybe it’s either I’m in a good mood or its a free run for me or think my expectations on running events is getting lower because I don’t really mind anymore with the water not being cold and we were just given plain water and no isotonic drink at all. Since I don’t really drink a lot of water when I run so it’s ok for me but maybe not for other runners. I survived last time running a half marathon distance from Yishun to Punggol just drinking from one of the water cooler from Punggol waterway what ?

Overall, I really enjoyed the run because the scenery is beautiful, with the well taken care of green grass patches, seeing the reservoir and the ponds in the golf course ? It’s just therapeutic ?

Golf is never my sport, and I knew nothing about it except Tiger Wood scandal and the objective of the sport is to get the golf ball into the hole. It also seems like a “atas” sport. Though saw some “interesting unknown golf related stuff” along the running route but didn’t find out more. Other than playing golf once when my primary school brought us to, think I’ve only played golf with my nephews with their toys that is made suitable for 3 years old ?

The volunteers are all very supportive and cheer us along the way especially the volunteers at the last 500m to the finish line, telling YiJing and me just keep going it’s only 500m left. The first thing I asked them is: Still got ice cream or not? And they cheered even louder for us to run for the ice cream ?

Luckily by the time we end our run there’s still some ice cream left and the lucky draw prizes is good, YiJing is lucky that she got a prize from the lucky draw ?

It’s a run that I think I will go again because no other than the reason that it’s so near home and the beautiful therapeutic scenery it offers ? Think it’s as hilly comparable to MacRitchie Reservoir ?

The Orange Ribbon Run/Walk was held on 10th September, a Saturday late afternoon. There were both the 10 km and 5 km competitive runs and a 3.5 km walk. I signed up for the 10 km race. Another running buddy Chia (SY) also signed up and we arranged to meet to start the race together.

The race is organized by OnePeople.sg, which is the leading advocate for multi-racialism – the voice and main resource centre on race relations in Singapore.  Each year, the Orange Ribbon Run/Walk provided an opportunity for everyone to express shared values and make a stand against racism.  This is a worthy cause in my view.  My first exposure to multi-racialism was in an assembly talk held when I was in primary school !  And I believed the speaker referred then to the strong need for cooperation/understanding amongst the different races in Singapore.   Yes, it was ‘serious’ in those days – early 70s.  And the vivid image was given by the reference to the 4 hands holding wrists at the back of the ten dollar currency note then (I have not seen this note in circulation these days !).

A week before that, the race pack collection was a breeze as there was just myself at the mall somehow.  But a couple of minutes later, a few folks joined in.

On actual day, I took the MRT to Bayfront station and was early.  I deposited the bag and visited the toilet cubicle without any time pressure.  I saw only a small group of runners about half an hour before the start time.  Besides my friend, I didn’t see anyone familiar till much later when we spotted one of the F1 runners.  The surprise announcement was that as we were celebrating the Mid Autumn Festival soon, each finisher would be given a piece of mooncake from Old Chang Kee, besides the finisher medal !  That was a pleasant gesture.

The route itself was a loop back and in my opinion, one of the toughest.  We had to tackle the dreaded Marina Barrage slope twice because of the loop.  After the start,  I tried to chase after the wrong pace group and slowed down near the 4th km, and my friend had already overtaken me and finished way ahead.  The pacers’ balloons were all orange color to reflect the theme, I suppose, so you have to look at the prints for the right group to pace with.  Still, it would have been nice to use different colors to denote the different paces.  The sun was rather brutal too, a sentiment shared  by my friend and another new-found, FB running friend who had also joined the race (Chris) although I didn’t realize it till after the race when he had commented on my post.

On finishing the race, each runner collected a finisher medal and a bottle of water (and of course the mooncake).  The hydration stations were adequate, about 2 km apart or so, but we would have appreciated energy drinks in at least one station due to the weather and route.

Still, I enjoyed the race for its ‘simplicity’ and it took about 4 days to get the race results online (but there was a public holiday in between). All in, about 6000 folks turned up for all the categories that day despite the hot afternoon. There was about 350 participants for the 10 km race itself.  So till the next race, run safe and run happy !  And congrats to Chris (and other running readers) who had gone on to finish his New Blackmores Sydney Half Marathon in a very good time despite his injuries. (When would I save enough and train enough to go for an overseas race ? !)

(Photo Credits are due to Runcapture, RaceAgainstRacism, Remembering Singapore and Chia SY)

I had registered and intended to support last year’s edition of this race, though my plans were foiled by a painful bout of injury. This year’s edition came with the addition of new categories – notably the half-marathon. However, for my less adventurous self, the 10km was a pleasant option. Do look out for the font in italics as I highlight aspects of a race which I deem important in this attempt at an objective review 🙂

Race Category

As mentioned above, the 10km was my choice as it is one of my favourite events. Long enough to make the registering worthwhile, yet short enough to be taken as part of training and not be overly taxing. It was priced very affordably at $24 for Early-bird sign ups (or $28 beyond that period)!

The Race Precinct
Though

Though Race Entry Pack Collection was available on many occasions prior to race-day, I was only intending to collect my race pack on race-day itself (an option which organisers had kindly made available). I headed to the venue about 40 minutes before flag off for my category (10km) which was to be at 7.00am, though collecting took barely a minute due to the small scale of this race. Baggage deposit services and race pack collection was at Anchorvale Community Club, a stone’s throw away from the Start-point. No issues here and I enjoyed a fuss-free experience, including the adequate availability of restrooms.

The Race

Flag-off was prompt at 7.00am for the 10km category. It was a small field of participants, perhaps barely over a hundred runners, therefore congestion was definitely not an issue.

The race route would take participants around Sengkang Riverside Park and Sengkang Sports Centre, following the scenic PCN to Punggol Waterway Park before returning. The start and finishing points were not at the same location, though they were very close. Notable challenges had to be the hairpin turns at multiple occasions, often when turning onto bridges and even a pretty tight turn just metres from the finish. There were 3 hydration stations serving both water and isotonic hydration, though the first point came a little too late into the race at around the 5km mark.

Distance markers, albeit their small size, were placed at every kilometre. Though I did observe direction signs (somewhat inconspicuous) and volunteers directing runners, I understand that one speedy runner had run off-course, missing out on a podium finish. The route distance came out to be significantly shorter than the stated 10km however. Strava data (seen below) based on my Garmin FR15 measures it to be more than 500m short. It was otherwise a pleasant, partly-shaded route with no congestion.

It is of concern that some runners did report the presence of insect stings after running past a bridge at Sengkang East Way. When I ran past that portion of the route early into the race, I did hear buzzing noises in my ear though was not stung. I recognise that it must have been an unpleasant experience, though I do acknowledge the challenges in prevention of such an incident which is unlikely due to negligence on the organisers’ part.  A Facebook post by organisers indicated that they did recce the route for the two weeks prior to the race, till the morning before the event. Thankfully, first aid was available to attend to runners’ concerns.

Post-Race

Thereafter, runners were handed a Finisher’s Medal, a banana and isotonic hydration. Sports massages were available for participants and of course, with the swimming complex nearby (time to spend some ActiveSG credits), I couldn’t resist a dip (after an initial rinse to get the perspiration off)!

I’ll conclude by mentioning that for the affordable price-tag and a simple community race, it’s certainly one worth experiencing! You may feel free to read more about my personal experience of this race here 🙂

Cover photo credit: Otter Run’s Facebook page.