Just Run Lah! - Singapore's online running community | JustRunLah! - Part 166
 
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Race Review: Santa Run for Wishes 2015 (by ‘red3’)

red3
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Race Review: Santa Run for Wishes 2015 (by ‘red3’)

When I first looked at the $70 price tag for this race, I just went whoaaaa, why so much?  Sometimes it pays to look a little deeper and read the fine print.

Returning for the second year in a row, Santa Run for Wishes is a fundraising race for the Make a Wish Foundation which grants wishes to life-threatening medically ill children.  Started in Singapore in 2003, it has thus far granted 1000+ wishes making a lot of children smile.  Even more wonderful is that all proceeds will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Singapore Government as part of the Care and Share Movement.

This year, Make a Wish Foundation in collaboration with Universal Studios have brought a little extra pizzazz to the racing event.  Following the race, all registered participants were provided with exclusive access to Universal for an evening of fast rides and even faster waiting lines.

Well that was enough to seal-the-deal for my family.  Have a race on Sentosa followed by thrilling rides and inadvertently give to a charity through our participation.  On top of that we were able to donate a number of books during the race pack pick-up.

Now onto race day. My understanding is that last year’s event was held around the Marina Bay area, so this year perhaps due to the collaboration with Universal, the race was held on Sentosa.

Pre-race necessary sugar load.
Pre-race necessary sugar load.

With 2km and 5km categories, the event commenced at Angsana Beach heading due west.  With both categories flagging-off at the same time, it was quite a tight squeeze funnelling through the start line and the first kilometre.  As we reached the turning point at the west end of the island the race felt more like an obstacle course rather than a race course.  Unfortunately with both categories racing at the same time there was a lot of weaving through the crowds on narrow lanes.  We basically gave up on racing and just chose to chill out and wait until the 2km category finished.

Somehow though the 2km category didn’t finish until it reached around 3.4km which made me wonder how long was the 5km category.  At this point we were quite dehydrated and still a fair way from the organised water point.  John veered off the route to stop at 7-11 to buy drinks whilst Trini and I kept going.  The water station was at 4.4km at the east end of the island’s turning point.

By this stage Trini was trudging and she kept asking how much longer.  Honestly, once we crossed 5km on my Suunto watch, I had no idea what to tell her since I knew we were still a fair way from the finish line.  So we started playing a game using landmarks to run between followed by walking and repeat.  The running distances were short but it kept her motivated to push through the last part of the route.  By the time we reached the finish line we had covered 6.3km.  Slightly longer than had expected.

However, the ice cream, electrolyte drink, finisher medal and the upcoming Universal visit made for very quick fatigue recovery.  There was a little disappointment for my girl when the finisher medal’s paint peeled off as it dried itself onto the ribbon.  Promising to fix it with some white paint at home was enough to turn her frown up-side-down.  I suspect the medals were packed before they were fully dried as each one of our medals had the white paint peel off when we detached the ribbon from where it dried.  Not sure if this was a common problem or just bad luck on our part.

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Ice cream and sports drinks fix everything.

Along with our friends, we made our way to Universal Studio’s and thoroughly enjoyed having the park mostly to ourselves.  We were joined by many severely disabled children who had this rare opportunity to visit a theme park which otherwise they would never have that chance.

All the thrill rides were open and my 7 yo had her first go on the Cylon Rollercoaster, flipping upside and zooming at high speed.

Needless to say by the time we wrapped up the day and got home it was midnight and Sunday was a long and very lazy day.

Perhaps some notes of observation regarding the race is to flag-off the categories at different times, provide water stations at half way points, use breathable material for the tees and ensure the finisher medals have sufficient time to dry if they’re painted before packing.

It’s understandable that the foundation may have teething problems since it’s only its second year and I’m sure as they keep organising this event they will get better at it.  Personally, I will happily continue supporting it.  Regardless of some of the minor issues, it is for such a worthy event that all this can be overlooked.

Overall, we had a good time as we always do.  Wishing everyone a terrific festive season.

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Merry Christmas to Everyone.

Cheers.

Hands-On Review: Sony’s Smart B-Trainer™

Jarin T
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Hands-On Review: Sony’s Smart B-Trainer™

Sony’s Smart B- Trainer™ has been the dream all-in-one smart device for runners with 6 built-in sensors that can record up to 11 running logs, 16GB of music storage, GPS function and heart-rate monitor. As a music lover and a runner who needs some motivational boost especially during long and solo runs, I’ve simply got to try out running with the virtual coach in the device! Here’s my experience running with Sony’s Smart B- Trainer™!

Unboxing – First look and feel

The Sony’s Smart B- Trainer™ pack comes with both the headset and a pouch containing ear buds (even an additional set for swimming!), protective cases and charging cables/dock. To be honest, I was initially having doubts about fitting both the heart rate sensor and audio parts into my ears but was pleasantly surprised at how perfect it fits.

Sony SBT1

Waterproof technology is one of the product features that I decided to make a bold move of testing it out immediately after unboxing. My heart skipped a beat as I placed the device under the running tap and prayed hard it would light up after the experiment – and thank goodness it did!

Sony SBT Waterproof test

Planning my run with “Smart B-Trainer™ for Running” app

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After uploading some of my songs into the 16GB storage device, I synced it with the “Smart B-Trainer™” app and started planning for my first test run. I pre-set the pace of 5:00 and a distance of 5km. There are also other modes of workout plans such as Free Run that allows you to simply start running at any point, pause and stop at any point you want. Once again, I synced the settings from the app to the device and decided to run without my smartphone, just the device alone.

Running with effective tempo, coach and multiple sensors

I tried to vary the speeds of my run to see if the music changes accordingly and it sure did. The virtual coach would inform my current pace and tell me if I am going too slow or fast according to my heart rate, and a corresponding music of a certain tempo would be played. This smart feature is known as Sony’s 12 Tone Music Analysis, an intelligent music playback function.

According to the product information, the battery life of this device is an astonishing 10 hours, which is definitely a tick for marathons and perhaps even an ultra-marathon! Perhaps a timely Christmas gift to self for the upcoming marathons towards the end of the year and beyond?

Sony SBT Close up earbuds

In addition, the device did not move much while I ran and jumped and the ear buds did not move an inch. It was simply fixated permanently in my ears and the neckband did not cause a strain on my neck at all. I could not hear much sound from the surroundings perhaps due to the noise cancelling features of the device. As such, I had to be more alert at road junctions while enjoying the clear and encompassing sounds from the device. 

Evaluate: Post-run data analysis

I simply switched on the Bluetooth® on my smartphone and device to sync the run data wirelessly and it was fast and convenient as I found myself immersed in a cloud of information about my single workout – graphs, maps, photos of the place I ran, music played and more were reflected on the app. The entire experience can be described with one word – Cool!

My first run was generally smooth, with some technical difficulties in trying to figure out how to play music from device or smartphone before I started my run. I managed to find that out along with my other queries from Sony’s website eventually. The periodic reminders about my pace, distance and time, as well as whether I am going too fast or slow, were helpful and I didn’t have to do anything else to check because everything was automated.

What I love

Sony SBT earphone hand

I’ve got admit, my first test run with Sony’s Smart B- Trainer™ attracted looks of envy and curiosity from a handful of runners along the route. The bright, sleek-looking device is extremely light-weight to wear for runs and the sound quality does not get compromised with all the jumps and movement while running. So far, there wasn’t any time where I had to pause my runs to adjust loose or uncomfortable ear buds. 

This all-in-one device with multiple sensors and recording up to 11 running stats, including built-in heart rate monitor, effectively eliminates the need to carry any additional sports gadgets for my run. As a result of these functions, I am able to find out a lot of information just from a single workout session. The post-run analytics really helped me understand and identify my running patterns; at which point do I start to slow down, what is the corresponding heart rate and elevation of that place and so on.

I usually train alone during night sessions and having a virtual coach, voice guidance and music tempo does indeed boost my run and motivation. It keeps me updated, informed and aware during my workout in real-time, allowing me to try out different workouts and see the results almost immediately.

What I would recommend

I felt that there was a missing link between the smartphone app and desktop program. The desktop Content Helper program’s only function is to upload or delete songs from the device. Perhaps incorporating some of the features of the app onto the desktop program and making them compatible would be convenient for users, where users can switch to and fro desktop to the app. Also, I spent quite some time trying to figure out between playing songs directly from my device or from my smartphone and had to refer to the official website multiple times before knowing how to use the device for the different purposes. The more I configured, the more I discover about the usage of this device.

Having 6 built-in sensors packed in a single, lightweight device which produces 11 running stats and analysis is an amazing product innovation. However, such advanced features would only be fully appreciated by runners who are very technical and place emphasis on sports analytics. As such, the value worth of the device at retail price of $399 would differ for non-technical runners.

 My choice?

Sony SBT Banana Water Running Essentials

The Sony’s Smart B-Trainer™ will be a great addition to any runner’s workout routine in terms of providing guidance, motivation, perhaps even confidence! As for developing one into a faster and more effective runner, it would really depend on how well one adapts and responds to running with tempo, virtual coach and application of sports analytics. With long-term usage of this device, one can actually learn a lot on how the body copes with stress, exhaustion and recovery during workouts.

For me, this device did its job of adding value, fun and motivation to my workout and provided me a new, in-depth overview of my workouts such that I can identify the various factors and match to how I felt about the run. On top of that, with Sony’s signature soft-touch of colors, stylish yet practical product design do tempt one to forget about the price tag and grab one from the shelves.

Price and locations

Sony’s Smart B-Trainer™ is retailing at a recommended price of S$399, in five eye-catching colours (yellow, white, blue, pink, and black) and is available at all Sony Stores, Sony Centres and selected Sony authorised dealers.

Click here for more information on Sony’s Smart B-Trainer SSE-BTR1. In addition, Sony is now having their Year End Promotion from now till 3 Jan 2016, which includes the Smart B-Trainer™ ($50 cash back). Check in-stores for more details.
* Disclaimer: This review represents the genuine, unbiased views of the author. The author was provided with a free unit. Sony’s products are being / have been advertised on JustRunLah! via different channels.

The Race For Every Family: Stroller Race Singapore 2015

Team JustRunLah!
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The Race For Every Family: Stroller Race Singapore 2015

The Stroller Race Singapore 2015 is not just a race between strollers; it is a race for families. While any family with children can join this race, having a stroller adds on to the fun and challenge when running along the designated race route. This requires teamwork between your family members as you race to the finish in the fastest time possible while steadily pushing the stroller!

An Active Family is a Happy Family

happy-family-silhouetteactive
Photo credit: happymomhappyfamilybymoms.com

Most children like to be active, and parents play an important role in providing the environment to encourage a continuous active lifestyle from young. It is a good thing for parents to be active and to also bring their children out, encouraging them to take part in sports. More importantly, participating in an outdoor activity together as a family is a good way for a family to bond. In fact, the themes along the Stroller Race route is inspired by important values that bond a family together, such as “Love & Respect”, “There for each other”, “Determination” and “Togetherness”.

Claim the Title as Singapore’s Fittest Family!

The Stroller Race Singapore is a challenge for families from all over Singapore, which spans across a 5km route around the Sports hub. There are 4 different categories – 5km Stroller Runners, 5km Family Run, 5km Stroller Walkers and Kids Dash. Take part in the respective category for your family; race together as a family, and win as a family! If you are a parent, you can also take this opportunity to inspire and encourage your family along the race and wear the Active Parent finisher Tee with pride. As we all know, an active parent is a responsible parent.

Discover Your Child’s Sporting Talents

kids-dash

The race culminates in an exciting Talent Carnival at the OCBC Square where fringe activities such as the Kids Dash, Motor Ability Assessments and Sports Tryouts will take place. All participants and families are invited to experience the talent carnival and explore their sporting potential. It will be a great opportunity for parents to discover the hidden sporting talents of their child.

All families are welcome to sign up for The Stroller Race Singapore 2016. Parents are encouraged to bring your children (kids below the age of 13 can join for free, but without race entitlements) and even your stroller along. This will be a fun-filled event just for you and your family, and a great way to kickstart a healthy new year together!

Check out the runner’s entitlement:

Register here now for the race!stroller race

Enjoy $10 off registration fees by entering code: JRLstroller2016 upon checkout!

I Love KK City

Team JustRunLah!
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I Love KK City

Kota Kinabalu or KK as it is affectionately called by the locals is just a narrow sliver of land that sits right at the edge of the South China Sea with low lying hills gradually rising up into the Crocker Range topped by Mt Kinabalu, the highest mountain in South East Asia, as its stunning backdrop.

summit-trail-mt-k
Mount Kinabalu

Being a waterfront city has a huge impact on the lifestyle in KK. Being so close to the water with the breeze blowing in from the ocean at the waterfront and all the greenery that surrounds it, from its tree lined streets to the forest covered islands and hills that dot its landscape, gives off a laidback vibe that puts people at ease.

A Different Experience From Malaysia

Surrounded by beautiful sceneries, the city has also retained much of its rustic charms. It is safe to walk around this pedestrian-friendly city on your own and if you take the time to mingle with the locals, you will experience a way of life that is different from other parts of Malaysia. Its people, cultures and languages have integrated so well that you can strike up a conversation with anyone and feel instantly at home. This is a place where people of different ethnicity and religion coexist in harmony.

One of the best things about KK is how everything is so accessible and easily within reach. You can shop, play and eat without having to go very far on foot. This also means you get more time to experience more of KK, and making the most of your time there!

Food In KK

For the best variety of food, it has to be Gaya Street where coffee shops, cafés and restaurants line both sides of the street with great tasting food that’s friendly on the wallet too.

Springy egg noodles, steamed pork buns, spicy laksa, fragrant bak kut teh (pork bone soup), beef or chicken soto with its unique spice mix, succulent satay and ikan bakar, tasty buns with sweet and savoury filling, roti canai – the list just goes on. Take your time exploring so you don’t miss out on any of these delicious treats. A cup of strong Sabah coffee from Tenom is a must for breakfast but you can have it any time of day for a quick caffeine fix.

Shopping In KK

On Sundays, Gaya Street also turns into a pedestrian-only street fair with stalls selling local handicrafts, souvenirs, t-shirts, pre-loved clothes, household plants, pets and lots more food!

For everyday souvenir shopping, check out the Handicraft Bazaar and Kadaiku at Sinsuran. Kadaiku supports local handicraft makers from villages around Sabah and stocks up on high quality products and made to order items for the more discerning clients. Typical indigenous handicrafts include finely woven textiles, bead accessories, bamboo and rattan baskets, containers and musical instruments.

Island Hopping and Water Sports Activities

KK has beautiful coral islands with sandy beaches and clear waters just minutes away by boat. Sapi, Mamutik and Manukan are the three most popular islands for day-trippers and is the perfect getaway for a picnic and lots of water sports activities. Snorkeling, scuba diving, sea walking, water skiing, parasailing and even zip lining from Gaya to Sapi are available for hire.

Breathtaking Sceneries

Sunset-Waterfront

The best time of the day in my city is definitely at sunset. Catch this spectacular display of orange coloured sky at Tanjung Aru Beach and all along the coast to Likas Bay. Running on the beach or the jogging track at Likas Bay is my favourite thing to do at sunset. The spectacular view makes exercising so much more enjoyable!

Nothing works better with a great sunset then chilling out at the Waterfront with an evening cocktail or a cold beer to end a hot day in the city. Take in the fantastic view while sipping on your beverage of choice before deciding on dinner at any of the Asian or Western themed restaurants at the waterfront. The bars have a pretty decent drink list too and play a wide range of music from 70s retro to modern day pop, with the occasional Latin dance party known to happen during the week to entertain the crowd.

Local Festivals

Sabah Fest
Sabah Fest

Festivals are great fun in any city and in my city, the best has to be the Harvest Festival or Kaamatan in May. The month-long celebration kicks off with the Sabah Fest, a musical performance based on Sabah’s rich folklore, followed by district level celebrations culminating in the state-wide celebration. Get ready for lots of music, dancing, traditional games, rice wine, and the crowing of the Unduk Ngadau or Harvest Queen.

Borneo-International-Marathon
The annual Borneo International Marathon coincides with the Sabah Fest to allow runners to enjoy a wonderful cultural experience and race over a weekend.

Embrace The Nature

Mount Kinabalu
Mount Kinabalu

If the city heat gets too much, take a trip to Kinabalu Park where the temperature is a cool 15°C – 20°C. Nature trails wind through mossy rainforest which is great for a few hours of trail walking but if you’re up for it, stay overnight and do the Summit Trail up Mt Kinabalu. A new trail has been created to the summit to allow climbers to once again scale the highest peak in South East Asia and be awed by the majestic views from the top.

Kota Belud is worth the couple of hours to get there for a river cruise and be mesmerized by thousands of fireflies lighting up the trees by the river bank. The weather might not be chilly but you can feel that familiar ‘Christmas’ glow with the magical display of lights against the night sky. The swamp forest is also home to the proboscis monkey and you can see them jumping through the tree tops before settling down for the night.

The Running Event You Should Not Miss in 2016: Compressport Rail Corridor Run 2016

Team JustRunLah!
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The Running Event You Should Not Miss in 2016: Compressport Rail Corridor Run 2016

Singapore’s thrilling heritage run, Compressport Rail Corridor Run 2016 is taking place on 31 January 2016, Sunday! The run covers a total distance of 10 km run from Bukit Timah Railway Station to Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. If you have not signed up for the race, here are 3 reasons for why you should not miss this trail and heritage running event:

1. Exclusive Race Tee And Finisher Medal

compressport-rail-corridor-back

Compressport Rail Corridor Run 2016 is the only run that offers free Compressport products for every participant! All race participants get to enjoy up to more than $100 worth of Compressport products including a Compressport T-shirt (worth S$49.90), Compressport drawstring bag (worth S$19.90) and beautiful finisher medals for both 5km and 10km categories. On top of that, 10 km participants get to receive a complimentary pair of Compressport Pro Racing Compression Socks (worth S$29)!

2. Last Chance Before The Closure Of Rail Corridor

RailCorridor_sg039
Photo credits: Urban Redevelopment Authority

If you have not ran at the rail corridor before, or love running at the rail corridor, this is one of the last opportunities you get to race there before it is closed for construction of the new underground water pipeline. Construction work is expected to commence in first half of 2016 and complete by 2019. The Compressport Rail Corridor Run 2016 is one of the last races to be held at this venue before it closes to public.

3. A Different Terrain, A Different Experience

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The trail route, which features three different terrains, is not too difficult and is great for beginners who want to start on trail running! Runners will run on crushed stones path where the railway line was once laid in an idyllic natural setting. This will be a refreshing run especially to Singapore runners, as compared to running on nicely paved path in our mostly urbanised environment.

compressport-medal

rail-corridor-run-2016
Click here now to sign up for the Compressport Rail Corridor Run 2016!

Early bird promotion ends 11 December 2015!

[Day 4] Trekking, Hot Spring, Fish Massage and Dairy Farm at Kinabalu Park (Sabah Tour)

Team JustRunLah!
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[Day 4] Trekking, Hot Spring, Fish Massage and Dairy Farm at Kinabalu Park (Sabah Tour)

On day 4, we travelled even further out to Kinabalu Park for a whole day of activities waiting ahead for us. It was a long drive up the mountains but we were greeted with amazing scenery and photographic opportunities at every corner of the road. At Kinabalu Park, we got to walk on the Canopy Walk, did a little trekking up the forest to the waterfall, followed by a visit to the hot spring and fish massage.

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Traditional Local Breakfast

We decided to skip hotel breakfast and to start our day with something local instead. We headed over to Tamparuli, a place bustling with rustic charm, for the famous Tamparuli Mee (first thumbnail), along with some other local dishes. As our guide Leroy explained, the Tamparuli Mee is prepared by cooking the noodles three times – first frying, then boiling, and frying again, to attain the unique fragrance of the noodles. While the noodles may look similar to those found in Singapore or other parts of Malaysia, the flavours have a twist to them and definitely worth a try.

Canopy Walk

canopy-walk

The Canopy Walk is made of three narrow bridges hung by ropes, which requires a hike up the steps on the hill. The bridges may look daunting at first, but they are very safe and offers an amazing panoramic view in the center of the forest. This can, however, be a challenge to some who are afraid of heights and swaying bridges.

Trekking to the Waterfall

There were two routes in the forest, and we chose the longer one to go to the waterfall. Leroy told us that most tourists would be tired after hiking up to the Canopy Walk and often chose to go straight to the hot springs instead. We enjoyed the trek up to the waterfall, because of how cooling and refreshing it was up the hill compared to the humidity in the forest. We even had fun on a tree trunk that became our giant swing.

Hot Springs

This is a good place to de-stress and soak away the sores and aches of your muscles in the spring’s hot sulphuric minerals, deemed to have healing properties and very popular among the locals. It is an open area, and as we walk through the place we could see many locals and tourists enjoying themselves in the hot water. Do bring a change of clothes if you want to completely soak in the water!

Fish Massage at “Tagal” Sungai Moroli, Kampung Luanti

When we were told that we were going for a fish massage, we thought we were going to expect the small fish we usually see at fish spas in Singapore. Turns out that the fish are actually Mahseer, which are river fish and can grow to quite a size. Despite their size, they have no teeth so it is generally safe to feed them and even walk among them in the water. Apparently, people who go there for regular fish massage are supposed to have smoother and suppler skin, as the fish nibble away at their dead skin.

Desa Cattle Dairy Farm

The Desa Cattle Dairy Farm has one of the most amazing sceneries, with the majestic Mount Kinabalu overlooking beautiful green pastures. With the breathtaking sceneries and cool breeze, we also tried feeding bottled milk and grass to the cattle and kid goats. Afterwhich, we also bought some milk and yogurt to try, which were some of the freshest dairy products we had ever tried.

After a day packed with activities and travelling, we finally settled for late lunch at the Liwagu Restaurant and headed down back to Kota Kinabalu City. It was an amazing day with beautiful sceneries. Mount Kinabalu, we will be back again!

16 Virtues to ace any race – #14: Daring to Achieve

Shereen
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16 Virtues to ace any race – #14: Daring to Achieve

What do you fear most happening on race day itself?

a) You get a side stitch within the first 5 km

b) Your heel hurts and you can’t go further

c) You need to pee

Runners have their fair share of worst nightmares, and every little thing that happens on race day itself can become a full-blown disaster. Especially since it’s your big day as a runner and you’re probably already nervous as hell.

Achievement is not only about months and months of preparation, but knowing how to hold your ground on race day itself. We’ve some tips for you.

The nightmare: Side stitch

How to overcome it: In actuality, the real reason of the side stitch is not yet known. The good news is that you can try to curb the pain or reduce the chances of it occurring. First, hydrate sufficiently. Try to drink at aid stations when you can and choose electrolyte fluids over plain water. Second, run within your familiar threshold. Those who run less frequently tend to suffer from side stitches more often than veteran runners. It could be that veteran runners are more informed about their own limitations and their body conditions. Of course, the root of the problem still remains a mystery, so these remedies might not help everyone.

The nightmare: Muscle cramps

How to overcome it: Warm-up, warm-up, warm-up. If you’re still excusing yourself from this before runs, it’s definitely time you changed your time. Dynamic warm ups such as squats, side lunges and knee tucks really help open up your hips. They loosen muscles and prevent them from snapping during your more intense workouts. Elite runners devote about 10-20 minutes to proper warm ups because they’re just so important. Besides, it helps with your nerves. After 10 tuck jumps, you’d probably feel more pumped than jittery.

The nightmare: Feeling too heavy to run

How to overcome it: Usually, this happens if we haven’t done the due diligence to work up the mileage before our actual run. Your body needs to know how it feels like running at pace time and how it feels to be on your feet for 5 hours. Strive to finish strong but don’t push yourself overboard. Another aspect to consider is getting the proper nutrition. Your muscles will stiffen up when it runs out of glycogen. Energy is required both to contract and relax your muscles. So remember to carbo-load properly before your race.

Don’t fret if you feel undertrained. Having already reached this point before race day, you’ve already got a few tricks about running in your pocket. Have a good rest tonight and prepare to achieve tomorrow!

Race Review: Angkor Wat International Half Marathon 2015 [10km] (by ‘Ah Girl’)

Ah Girl
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Race Review: Angkor Wat International Half Marathon 2015 [10km] (by ‘Ah Girl’)

Yesterday, 6th December 2015 was a meaningful day for runners from around the world – some completed their first marathon in their lives, some beat their personal records while some ran for a cause and reason other than themselves. While my counterparts took on the largest annual road race event in Singapore where our garden city transformed into adrenaline-filled running routes, I decided to literally take the path less travelled to end the year of races with one of my world bucket-list races held in the Kingdom of Wonder, Cambodia.

Thanks to Manulife team, I managed to get myself registered for the highly subscribed Angkor Wat International Half Marathon 2015. Also, I enjoyed a magical night before race day at the Team Manulife dinner held in the enchanting setting of the Thommanon temple in Angkor Wat. More importantly, I was told that this year is the first year of Manulife’s 5-year sponsorship to AWHM, which is one of the largest fundraising events in Cambodia. It delights me as my run impacts and raises awareness about the victims of antipersonnel landmine in Cambodia, as well as contributing to the proceeds to Angkor Hospital for Children and other selected beneficiaries to support healthcare and education in the Cambodia.

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Pre- Race:

(i) Arrival in Cambodia

As a first-time traveller to Cambodia and runner in a totally different environment, I was super excited and slightly worried about the difference in cultures, safety, race day transport etc. However, all my worries were deemed unnecessary when I knew that all the race day transport had already been settled by Manulife-labelled tuktuks and was told that security will be tight on the actual day.

AWHM 2015 banner

From the moment I stepped into the arrival hall of Siem Reap International Airport, banners and posters of AWHM were already welcoming us in the airport, along the streets of the roads, overhead bridges and on basically any visible landmark – Yes, I’ve met groups of runners transited at Hanoi and flew into Siem Reap on my flight just to run the race! And you know how hyped up and well-publicized a race event is when your local pickup driver’s first question wasn’t, “How was your flight?” but “Are you here for the marathon?”

Race pack collection

I collected my race pack from my accommodation at the lovely Sofitel Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort and was greeted by extremely friendly staff from Manulife. It makes me really happy to find out that most of them are showing their support by participating in the race as well, despite their busy involvement in pre-race logistics and management.

What’s different about this race pack as compared to those in Singapore, is that it includes an access pass into the UNESCO World Heritage Site which all runners have to bring on race day to enter the Angkor Archaeological Park. This means that only AWHM race participants are allowed to run in the specified areas of Angkor Wat on race day. How cool is that!

Race-day: Flag-off

Race categories have been increasingly diverse and inclusive of the different physical abilities of participants – the AWHM encourages participants in wheelchair and those with prosthetic limbs to join in the race. I really respect and admire their determination and endurance as they charge with might throughout the course and towards the finish line.

Flags from all participating nations line the finishing path
Flags from all participating nations line the finishing path

I chose to take part in the 10km instead of 21km because of I had a race a few days ago. It is always important not to overexert and risk suffering from an injury that might cause one to miss out from valuable opportunities like these! The starting pen was filled with participants from all over the world, wearing shirts belonging to different community groups, speaking in different languages and gathering in the same place to do a single race. It then occurred to me what “international race” really meant and that I was part of this global movement.

Most unique and historic race route ever

The main reason why runners, including myself, would fly across the globe just for this race, is undeniably for the valuable opportunity of running through the largest religious monument in the world, the Angkor Wat. My experience of the 10km felt like a real-live version of the app store game, Temple Run and I can totally foresee myself signing up for the 21km next year to get more sights and sounds of the legendary site.

For the 10km race route, it was a straight 5km to and fro, with a U-turn the mid point. Most of the paths were shaded by tall trees and the entire running path was moderately flat, with little or no hills. December was supposed to be the cooling season but my local mate told me the weather in Siem Reap had been rather erratic, fluctuating from sunny hot weather to chilly, windy nights. I guess that was the other main obstacle for me besides the dry, sandy air I had to get accustomed to.

Hydration points were definitely sufficient where every 2.5km, one would spot race volunteers smiling and holding out chilled water and isotonic drinks. For the 21km category, there are stations with bananas and energy gels as well. I wished I had stopped to take a few photos in along the route but I simply couldn’t stop the adrenaline rush in me. Well, this calls for a reason to be back in Siem Reap, regardless of being a tourist or runner! Check out the race route for 21km here.

Support and cheers from international and local crowds

AWHM crowd

The finishing line was filled with many people and along the route, there were kids from the villages who came up to hi-five us! They were super adorable and the local volunteers were extremely gracious and friendly to us as they presented the finishers’ medals, drinks and water. Massage stations were situated at the ending point as well and the Manulife tent was a sanctuary with cold fruits, food and cold towels for almost and immediate recovery.

Congrats to Vivan Tang from Singapore who retains her winning title for Women's 21km from last year!
Congrats to Vivan Tang from Singapore who retains her winning title for Women’s 21km from last year!

Post-Race reflections

I managed to finish my 10k under an hour and I thought that wasn’t too bad for a race that was in a totally different setting and climate. Now that I am back in Singapore, memories of running through the Victory bridge, sights of Khmer architecture and running alongside with sporting Cambodians and international runners still flood through my mind. It has been a humbling and amazing experience to be part of this world bucket-list race and I will definitely be back for more. Once again, heartfelt thanks to Manulife for this fantastic race experience and for all the months of event preparation and generosity in supporting such a meaningful cause.

The Day After The Marathon

Team JustRunLah!
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The Day After The Marathon

#1 Rest And Recover

Listen to your body and do not push yourself to jump back into training immediately. Go for a easy 5-6km jog after your work today to help ease off the lactic build up in your muscles. If you do not have proper recovery from your marathon, you’ll increase you injury risk and limit your long-term potential – making it harder to break your PB and stay healthy.

#2 Replenish

This is your chance to eat as much as you can without feeling too guilty! Indulge in your favourite food but also remember – eat lots of fruits, carbohydrates, and protein. The carbs and protein will help repair the muscle damage while the fruits will give you a boost of vitamin C and antioxidants to help combat free radical damage and boost your immune system.

scms-after-race-app
Cherish your memories; Use JustRaceLah! – Singapore’s Running App to save your timing, notes and photos of each race you complete. Free for iOS / Android – www.justracelah.com

#3 Feel Good About Your Body

You may be walking awkwardly like a duck, having difficulties reaching for your shoes (or anything, in general), but this is your body’s way of telling you that you have pushed yourself and achieved something that you never thought you’d ever done. And you know that when you recover from this, you will be stronger than before and able to face even more challenges in your life.

[ot-video type=”youtube” url=”m-hCuYjvw2I”]

#4 Put Your Medal Up With Pride

You completed a marathon! This is something worth celebrating for and to be proud of. Wear your medal, take a selfie, hang it on your wall, or even on your christmas tree. Running a marathon is an accomplishment and you deserve the rights to show it to the world. Who knows, you may even inspire a few friends to take on this challenge!

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Image credit: www.ernestoburden.com

#5 Look Forward To Your Next Challenge

Completing a marathon sure makes you feel like you can tackle even more challenges ahead. Be it running another marathon, going for a duathlon or triathlon, or even challenges at work, let them all come at you because you know you can overcome them. If you can overcome the gruelling mental and physical demands of that 42km, surely you are more prepared for even tougher things!

Interview with Elite Female Obstacle Racer: Lim Soo Ee

Team JustRunLah!
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Interview with Elite Female Obstacle Racer: Lim Soo Ee

Obstacle races are gaining a little more attention especially with the recent Spartan Race Singapore, truly the first of its kind held here. So, what does it take to be an obstacle runner, albeit a woman in her late 30’s who has only started running 3 years ago? Lim Soo Ee, a 39-year-old teacher took part in the recent Spartan Races – one held in Kuala Lumpur and the other in Singapore – and came in 3rd and 2nd respectively in the Elite Women’s Category.

Congratulations for coming in 3rd and 2nd in the Elite Women’s Category of Spartan KL and Spartan Singapore respectively. What do you think of such achievements?

Soo Ee: The achievements came in at a good time. They provide me an awesome platform to share my passion with others – eating well and keeping fit. Most importantly, through everything I have achieved, I hope to inspire more people, especially the ladies who are reading this, to dare to go beyond what they can imagine. You will never know if you never try. On a personal note, the achievements reinforced in me a sense of confidence and groundedness, the two things I thought I lost when the injuries kept revisiting me.

What differences did you find between the races at Spartan Kuala Lumpur and Spartan Singapore?

Soo Ee: The first thing that comes to mind when I talk about Spartan KL is the mud – there was mud literally everywhere from my eyebrows right to my toes (with my socks and shoes totally caked with mud) ! For Spartan Singapore, Singapore is a green city so I sustained mostly cuts and grass.

Some of the obstacles in Spartan KL were also more challenging, e.g. one of the obstacles required us to climb down and out of a very deep and slippery trench filled with muddy water. I could only depend on my strong fingers from judo training to claw myself out. Spartan KL also included a taxing trail run on a few steep slopes in a forest, which I was glad I managed well with frequent trail run training in MacRitchie. Above all, I like the crowd in KL – people were just happy to be soaked and caked in mud. That common goal sort of bonded us, despite borders.

As for Spartan Singapore, the start point was very accessible at Nicoll Highway. In contrast, Spartan KL was less accessible, being held in a rather remote area, so participants had to depend on the transport provided to travel in and out of the venue.

Soo Ee at Spartan KL’s prize presentation ceremony

Do you think starting out to take part in races, especially obstacle races, at an older age can be a disadvantage?

Soo Ee: In a way, yes. Recovery from training takes longer; for example, for me, my joints do not function like they used to 20 years ago. Having an accumulation of injuries sustained for the past 20 years doing martial arts does work against me. Whenever I attempt to overcome certain obstacles, I have to be very mindful and careful not to be too gung-ho. I try to prevent unnecessary injuries from happening by seeking ways to strengthen the weaker parts of my body, e.g. the shoulder cuff.

How then has starting out late (at an older age) in racing (road or obstacle) also worked for you?

Soo Ee: Taking part in races helps me to be more in tune with my body, as in I’m now more aware of how and why I feel in a certain way and what different rehab and strengthening that I should adhere to. Besides, staying active all this while makes it easier for me to adjust and cope with any new demands, physical and mental. I learn something new and positive about myself every time I train or race or rehab.

What makes obstacle races more challenging for female athletes?

Soo Ee: Upper body strength and height are two main problems for women as most obstacle races require lifting some form of weight or getting over a very high obstacle (e.g. tyre drag or wall jump in a Spartan Race). We are small framed. I am small framed. We generally have weaker upper body strength compared to men.

If the women want to see how much they can push themselves beyond their limits, start on strength conditioning of the upper body. Alternatively, if they just want to complete the race, they can form teams or do the obstacle races with guy friends, or ask the male participants in the race to lend them a hand to overcome the obstacles, e.g. giving them a lift to climb over a wall. From my experience, guys at races are an awesome helpful bunch and would be more than happy to lend their muscles to help the ladies overcome the obstacles!

Not an easy feat but Soo Ee is definitely not defeated!

Any words for someone who is starting out late in attempting obstacle races?

Soo Ee: Attempt them slow and steady. Work with what you can, and progress gradually. Different strokes for different folks. Different people have different biological systems and may come from different sporting backgrounds, so work with what you are comfortable with and as you gain confidence, add in the difficult bits part by part. If you have previously sustained some form of injuries or are still recovering from it, I think it is better to seek professional help/advice before attempting anything out of your comfort zone.

 

Interview by chrysruns

Race Review: Singapore Duathlon 2015 [Sprint] (by Moses)

Moses
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Race Review: Singapore Duathlon 2015 [Sprint] (by Moses)
Disclaimer: I was privileged to have my race slot sponsored by MetaSport, in return for this review of the race 🙂

It’s been a long while since I’ve managed to participate in a race and it was certainly exciting to try out a multisport event. Do look out for the font in italics as they are aspects I deem pertinent in a race.

Singapore Duathlon 2015 was actually scheduled to take place on 3 October 2015, yet us Singaporeans may know that weather conditions clearly (or rather, conditions were not at all clear) weren’t going to permit the commencement of the event, having taken into account participants’ safety. Consequently, MetaSport made a courageous decision to reschedule the event to 28 November 2015.

Race Pack Collection

REPC was held on two occasions, the first to cater for the previously scheduled date. Due to the postponement, registration was opened yet again, hence another REPC was held for participants who had signed up later. It was held at the Civil Service Club from 11.00am-8.00pm on both occasions.

REPC. Credit to MetaSport's Facebook page.
REPC. Credit to MetaSport’s Facebook page.

My Race Category

Having had no experience in a bike race – let alone own a personal bike, I opted for the Sprint category. The 5km run, followed by an 18km bike and concluded with a 2.5km run was probably all I could manage. I had to figure out a way of acquiring a bike (and a helmet) – this was settled with a rental from S-Lite Events (a third party rental service outsourced by MetaSport). In return for the $35 (a road racing bike cost $70), I could collect a lovely mountain bike and a helmet at the race venue.

My ride for the day. Credit to S-Lite Events.
My ride for the day. Credit to S-Lite Events.

The Race Precinct

As I was scheduled to be in Wave 10 which flagged-off at 9.50am, I turned up about an hour early. After collecting my rented bike, depositing my bag and setting up transition (which for me, was just racking the bike in my allocated 60cm space), I did what we all do – head to the restroom. There were 10 (I counted) portable toilets available (adequate) and short queues to them. As the race precinct was just a stone’s throw from East Coast Lagoon Food Village, it meant additional restrooms were available there (and so was parking at Carpark E2). One other important aspect was that there was a bike mechanic present on-site for any last minute tweaks.

The Race Venue. Credit to Singapore Duathlon's E-Briefing materials.
The Race Venue. Credit to Singapore Duathlon’s E-Briefing materials.

The Race

Promptly at 9.50am, my Wave (10) was flagged-off. The run route for the Sprint took us two rounds around a 2.5km (supposedly) loop. The run route was relatively flat and manageable, though the initial start was a little narrow. However, this was mitigated by the small size of the Wave, hence congestion was minimal and only present at the start. Despite the searing sun, the route offered considerable amounts of shade. Hydration points offering both chilled water and PURE Sports Nutrition drinks were present shortly after the start and just after the U-turn point of the 2.5km loop. Actually, the 2.5km loop was pretty short – and two loops run in order to complete the first run leg reflected a bigger deficit. Garmin recorded the first run leg to be about 4.2km.

Thereafter came the transition. Two aspects were notable to me as a first-time participant of a biking event. Firstly, the helmet strap had to be tied by the time the bike was removed from the rack. Next, mounting the bike was only allowed after a yellow mount line. I noticed a rider attempt to get on his bike while still in the transition area, but alert volunteers promptly reminded him of the rules.

The bike route took participants along East Coast Service Road till National Sailing Centre before heading back. Each lap was 6km (pretty accurate this time) and as a participant of the Sprint category, I had to make three loops. As an inexperienced rider who wasn’t riding a mountain bike very quickly, perhaps the only notable challenge I could foresee were a few corners that had to be negotiated. The route was largely flat hence it enabled some pretty consistent splits. What I foolishly did not realise prior to the race was that there was no form of hydration available during the bike. Thankfully, the route was very shaded 🙂

Mountain biking. Credit to Running Shots.
Mountain biking. Credit to Running Shots.

Once again came the transition. Racking the bike was admittedly harder than unracking it (back in T1), as my little space was pretty crowded by bikes racked behind mine. The picture below provides a better explanation…

I'm the little bike in red trying to fit in (literally).
Trying to fit in… in more ways than one… can be difficult 😉

Thereafter came the second run. It was then that I understood the importance of bricks.

Floppy legs. Credit to Running Shots.
Floppy legs. Credit to Running Shots.

Anyway, it was back to the run route of the first leg, except that it was a single loop now instead of two. As I approached the Finish, it was encouraging having my name called out over the speakers 🙂

Post Race

Having known about the obsession that MetaSport has with their timing chips (which admittedly, seem to be of pretty good quality), I made sure to return it immediately. A Finisher’s Medal was handed out for all participants. The entire post-race circumstances were pretty similar to my previous participation in MetaSport’s Singapore Aquathlon 2015. Live Results were accessible as well (Official Results were promptly released later that afternoon!). It was nice that plastic chairs and tables were laid out for finishers and supporters (in the shade). A hydration point serving PURE Sports Nutrition and plain water was available. Some sponsor booths were present as well. Last but not least, official race photos via Finisherpix were available on Monday, two days after the conclusion of the event.

Post-race.
Post-race.

Hope you enjoyed the review! My personal blog’s available for your browsing here if you’re keen. Once again I extend my gratitude to MetaSport for sponsoring my race slot for the Singapore Duathlon 2015 🙂

Cover photo credit: Singapore Duathlon’s Webpage

Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2015 – Results, Photos and Videos

Team JustRunLah!
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Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2015 – Results, Photos and Videos

If you were out in the streets of Singapore running this morning, congratulations! We hope you had a great experience and SCMS2015 brought out the best in you. Here at JustRunLah! we ran our own marathon: For the first time in Singapore, we hosted a LIVE stream of media updates via our site and app. In case you missed it, check it out here.

Now, as the last runners have crossed the finisher line, it is time for a recap!

Videos

Full Marathon

[ot-video type=”youtube” url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGrxNujgZpc”]

Half Marathon

[ot-video type=”youtube” url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnU8Uz3CWsc”]

Wheelchair 10KM & 10KM

[ot-video type=”youtube” url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imtIbaM4Wjc”]

Kid’s Dash

[ot-video type=”youtube” url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7q08fKirrg”]

Photos

Results

Full Marathon, All Countries, Male

POS NAME (#) TIME NET COUNTRY CATEG (POS) GENDER (POS) NET NET NET
TIME
POS CAT POS GENDER POS
1 Julius Kiplimo Maisei (1049) 02:17:26 02:17:24 30-39  (1) Male  (1) 1 1 1
2 Chelimo Luka Kipkemoi (1059) 02:17:32 02:17:30 30-39  (2) Male  (2) 2 2 2
3 Barnaba Kibii (3669) 02:17:38 02:17:38 30-39  (3) Male  (3) 3 3 3
4 Allan Kiprono (2) 02:18:05 02:18:05 20-29  (1) Male  (4) 4 1 4
5 Paul Matheka (1073) 02:19:13 02:19:12 20-29  (2) Male  (5) 5 2 5
6 Kennedy Kipoo Lilan (1083) 02:20:47 02:20:46 20-29  (3) Male  (6) 6 3 6
7 Geoffrey Birgen (34) 02:21:12 02:21:10 30-39  (4) Male (7) 7 4 7
8 Charles Kanyao (1076) 02:22:09
02:22:07
30-39  (5) Male  (8) 8 5 8
8 Charles Kimutai Kigen (1077) 02:22:08 02:22:07 30-39  (5) Male  (8) 9 6 9
9 Collins Kibet (1082) 02:22:44 02:22:43 20-29  (4) Male  (9) 9 4 9

Full Marathon, All Countries, Female

POS NAME (#) TIME
NET TIME
COUNTRY CATEG (POS) GENDER (POS) NET POS NET CAT POS NET GENDER POS
17
Doris Chepkwemoi Changeywo (51) 02:44:26 02:44:26 KENYA 30-39  (1) Female  (1) 17 1 1
18 Peninah Jerop Arusei (54) 02:44:41 02:44:40 KENYA 30-39  (2) Female  (2) 18 2 2
19 Sharon Jemutai Cherop (50) 02:44:53 02:44:52 KENYA 30-39  (3) Female  (3) 19 3 3
20 Kiptoo Jane Jepkogei (52) 02:46:37 02:46:36 KENYA 30-39  (4) Female  (4) 20 4 4
21 Domongole Fridah Chepkemoi (1045) 02:48:19 02:48:17 KENYA 30-39  (5) Female  (5) 21 5 5
22 Rose Chekurui Kosgei (1072) 02:48:49 02:48:49 KENYA 30-39  (6) Female  (6) 22 6 6
23 Chaltu Tafa Waka (58) 02:49:14 02:49:14 ETHIOPIA 30-39  (7) Female  (7) 23 7 7
28 Edinah Jeruto Mutahi (1029) 02:56:20 02:56:18 KENYA 20-29  (1) Female  (8) 28 1 8
43 Sakiko Matsumoto (1047) 03:08:00 03:08:00 JAPAN 20-29  (2) Female  (9) 45 2 9
58 Jie Shi Neo (2622) 03:15:06
03:15:02
SINGAPORE 30-39  (8) Female  (10) 61 8 10

Full Marathon, Singapore, Male

POS NAME (#) TIME NET TIME CATEG (POS) GENDER (POS) NET POS NET CAT POS NET GENDER POS
16 Ying Ren Mok (32) 02:43:06 02:43:04 20-29  (6) Male  (16) 16 6 16
24 Fang Jianyong (1002) 02:51:49 02:51:49 20-29  (7) Male  (17) 24 7 17
29 Chee Evan (1005) 02:56:51 02:56:49 30-39  (12) Male  (21) 29 12 21
31 Colin Chua (1037) 02:59:05 02:59:03 30-39  (14) Male  (23) 31 14 23
32 Suan Boon Soon (1007) 02:59:16 02:59:13 20-29  (8) Male  (24) 32 8 24
33 Wenlong Ning (1006) 02:59:18 02:59:15 30-39  (15) Male  (25) 33 15 25
35 Ghim Khoon Ho (1015) 03:03:54 03:03:50 30-39  (16) Male  (27) 37 17 29
37 Lexxus Tan (1009) 03:05:59 03:05:59 40-49  (4) Male  (29) 39 4 31
39 Iskandar Mohamed (2834) 03:06:16 03:06:12 20-29  (9) Male  (31) 41 10 33
41 Ramesh Palaniandy (1023) 03:06:51 03:06:50 40-49  (4) Male (33) 41 7 36

Full Marathon, Singapore, Female

POS NAME (#) TIME
NET TIME
CATEG (POS) GENDER (POS) NET POS NET CAT POS NET GENDER POS
58 Jie Shi Neo (2622) 03:15:06 03:15:02 30-39  (8) Female  (10) 61 8 10
62 Ying Rong Mok (1028) 03:15:38 03:15:35 20-29  (3) Female  (11) 65 3 11
71 Rachel See (2687) 03:19:19 03:19:15 30-39  (9) Female  (12) 74 9 12
80 Baoying Lim (3461) 03:22:55 03:22:50 30-39  (10) Female  (13) 84 11 14
81 Jasmine Goh (3524) 03:23:05 03:23:01 30-39  (11) Female  (14) 85 12 15
109 Aileen Tan (2905) 03:28:52 03:28:43 20-29  (6) Female  (20) 111 6 20
140 Xiang Yi Wong (3330) 03:35:31 03:35:22 20-29  (7) Female  (22) 149 8 23
167 Lim Sing Yi (2371) 03:40:06 03:40:01 20-29  (8) Female  (23) 175 9 24
180 Run’er Lin (2432) 03:42:40 03:42:32 30-39  (14) Female  (26) 187 14 27
212 Yeo Bee Guat (2953) 03:44:57 03:44:19 40-49  (4) Female  (29) 214 4 31

NOTE: Those results are still temporary as our team is currently going through all results individually to make sure they are correct. Final results will be published within 24 hours and the race certificates will be available for download at that time. Source & more results @ http://marathonsingapore.com/2015-results

The next day

We wish you a fast and successful recovery! Don’t forget to use JustRaceLah! – Singapore’s Running App to log your SCMS2015 results, notes and photos. Get it for free for iOS / Android at www.justracelah.com. See you next year!

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LIVE: Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2015

Team JustRunLah!
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LIVE: Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2015
LIVE COVERAGE ENDED / ARCHIVE We are excited to bring you the first live coverage of a running event in Singapore! Whether you are running or cheering for a family or friend, you can keep track of all happenings across all SCMS2015 categories via this page, or by using JustRaceLah! – Singapore’s Running App, available for Free for iOS / Android smartphones.

[Sun 6/12: 2:25pm] See you next year!

As the last runners have now crossed the finisher line, it is time to wrap up! We hope you had a great run and enjoyed your experience. Don’t forget to use JustRaceLah! – Singapore’s Running App to log your SCMS2015 results, notes and photos. Get it for free for iOS / Android at www.justracelah.com

[Sun 6/12: 9:58am] Winners of FM Women’s Singapore

scms-2015-winners-sg-women

[Sun 6/12: 9:45am] Video of 10KM Wheelchair & 10KM Flag-Off

[ot-video type=”youtube” url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imtIbaM4Wjc”]

Esplanade Drive, 7:15am. Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2015 – 10KM Wheelchair & 10KM Flag Off.

[Sun 6/12: 9:38am] Winners of FM Master Singapore Men

scms2015-winners-veteran
Winners of Master Singapore Men category. Lexxus Tan of JRL Academy / F1 Runners on the top of the podium!

[Sun 6/12: 9:30am] Winners of FM Men’s Singapore Category

scms-2015-winners-sg-men

[Sun 6/12: 9:15am] Unofficial results for the FM Female category

scms2015-female-results
3 Singaporeans in the list! Source: twitter.com/MarathonSG

[Sun 6/12: 9:10am] Unofficial results for the FM Male category

Full Kenyan sweep! Source: https://twitter.com/MarathonSG
Full Kenyan sweep! Source: twitter.com/MarathonSG

[Sun 6/12: 8:30am] – Finisher’s Medal

This is it; Wear proudly! Congrats to all participants today.

scms2015-fm-medal

[Sun 6/12: 8:00am] – Mok Ying Ren tops local Men FM category

Mok Ying Ren sweeps the local male category for 42.195KM

Mok-Ying-Ren-SCMS2015

[Sun 6/12: 7:55am] – FM Women Winner

Doris Changeywo is the top female finisher of SCMS2015 with a time of 2:44:26

[Sun 6/12: 7:35am] – Ekiden Winner Team

Top Ekiden finisher from Team Psa with a time of 2:31:39

[Sun 6/12: 7:30am] – FM Men Winner

Julius Kiplimo Maisei, finishes first at Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore with a timing of 2:17:25 (42.195km race).

Follow LIVE all event updates via our App: JustRaceLah!, available at www.justracelah.com

[Sun 6/12: 7:10am] – Getting ready for 10km Flag-Off

10km-pre-flag

[Sun 6/12: 7:00am] – Wheelchair 10km

wheelchair-pre-flag
Getting ready for 10km Wheelchair (Esplanade Drive Start Point) – Power on!

[Sun 6/12: 6:30am] – Half-Marathon Flag-Off Video

[ot-video type=”youtube” url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnU8Uz3CWsc”]

[Sun 6/12: 6:00am] – At Sentosa, getting ready for Half-Marathon

[Sun 6/12: 5:20am] – FM Video

Watch as the 42.195km runners are off!

[ot-video type=”youtube” url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGrxNujgZpc”]

[Sun 6/12: 5:00am] – Flag-Off Full Marathon!

[Sun 6/12: 4:55am] – Good luck runners!

uncle-chan-scms2015
Good luck Mr Chan running his 101st marathon at the age of 85!

[Sun 6/12: 4:50am] – FM Start Pen

Moments before the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore – Full Marathon Flag-Off! Can you feel the energy?

scms-fm-pen

[Sun 6/12: 4:00am] – On the way

A train full of neon colours, with marathoners streaming in every station. Good morning Singapore! Are you ready to run? Big ups to SMRT for providing Extended Service today.

scms2015-smrt

[Sun 6/12: 2:50am] – Reminder: Padang map

Familiarise yourself with Padang map, the finisher’s area! (source: marathonsingapore.com)

padang-map-scms2015

[Sun 6/12: 2:30am] – Reminder: Flag-Off & Pen Opening information

flag-off-times

[Sun 6/12: 2:00am] – Reminder: Route maps

One last look to familiarise yourself with the route you will be running! (source: marathonsingapore.com)

[Sun 6/12: 1:30am] – The event in numbers

As the excitement won’t let us sleep, let’s all look at the impressive numbers of SCMS (source: marathonsingapore.com)

SCMS-Infographics

[Sun 6/12: Event timeline]

Time Events
05:00am Start of Marathon & Ekiden (Orchard Start Point)
06:30am Start of Half Marathon (Sentosa Start Point)
07:10am Start of 10km Wheelchair (Esplanade Drive Start Point)
07:15am Start of 10km (Esplanade Drive Start Point)
07:15am Estimated Finishing Time of Top Marathon Runner (Men)
07:30am Estimated Finishing Time of Ekiden & 10km Wheelchair
07:35am Estimated Finishing Time of Top Marathon Runner (Women)
07:45am Estimated Finishing Time of Top Half Marathon Runner (Men)
07:55am Estimated Finishing Time of Top 10km Runners (Men & Women)
08:00am Estimated Finishing Time of Top Half Marathon Runner (Women)
08:30am – 08:40am Prize Presentation: Marathon Open Men and Women
08:40am-08:45am Prize Presentation: Ekiden
08:45am – 08:55am Prize Presentation: Half Marathon Men and Women
08:55am – 09:05am Prize Presentation: Marathon Singapore Men and Women
09:05am – 09:15am Prize Presentation: Marathon Master Men and Women
09:15am – 09:25am Prize Presentation: 10KM Men and Women
09:40am Prize Presentation: Wheelies Open
01:00pm Estimated Finishing Time of Last Marathon Runner

Source: www.marathonsingapore.com

[Sat 5/Dec, 07:30am – Kid’s Dash]

This year, SCMS Kid’s Dash took place at Sport’s Hub, a day before the other categories. The event welcomed kids from 0-10 years old in different categories.

[ot-video type=”youtube” url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7q08fKirrg”]

– Event background:

  • Singapore’s Marquee running event, the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore (SCMS) 2015, will take place this Saturday 5, & Sunday, 6 December 2015.
  • Over 48,000 runners will begin their race from four different start points – Orchard Road (Full Marathon & Ekiden), Sentosa Gateway (Half Marathon) and Esplanade Bridge (10km) & Sports Hub (Kids Dash) – before crossing the finish line at the Padang.

Essential resources:

Manulife donates USD$25,000 to Angkor Hospital for Children

Team JustRunLah!
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Manulife donates USD$25,000 to Angkor Hospital for Children

The 5-year principal sponsor of the world famous Angkor Wat International Half Marathon (AWHM), Manulife, raised a total of US$25,000 for Angkor Hospital for Children, where US$100 will be donated per runner from Manulife.

[ot-video type=”youtube” url=”5Ttxy6TR1q4&feature=youtu.be”]

As part of Manulife’s commitment in raising awareness of the importance of health and wellness, Manulife has partnered with Angkor Hospital for Children as their chosen beneficiary to support the healthcare and medical needs of the children in Cambodia.

The heart-warming and milestone event earlier this morning was graced by Roy Gori (President and CEO Manulife Asia) and Robert Elliot (CEO and GM Manulife Cambodia) who presented the cheque of US$25,000 to Dr. Ngoun Chan Pheaktra (Hospital Director, Angkor Hospital for Children).

Cheque presentation from Manulife to Angkor Hospital for Children
Cheque presentation from Manulife to Angkor Hospital for Children
AHC presents Certificate of Appreciation to Manulife
AHC presents Certificate of Appreciation to Manulife

The Angkor Wat International Half Marathon 2015 is also one of Cambodia’s largest fund raising events and with the 5 year sponsorship contract starting this year, Manulife is dedicated in supporting disadvantaged children and people with disabilities in Cambodia.

Manulife AHC
Drawings by young patients of Angkor Hospital for Children

With proper healthcare support and awareness on nutrition and sanitization, we can make a difference in the future generations of Cambodia. By taking part in the AWHM, not only do runners benefit from improving their own health and fitness, but also contribute in changing the lives of children and disadvantaged people of Cambodia.

Let’s run for a reason, run for a change, run with Manulife!

16 Virtues to ace any race – #15: Willingness to Dream

Shereen
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16 Virtues to ace any race – #15: Willingness to Dream

The exhilaration comes when you approach the finishing line, with the huge SEIKO timer set up at its side. The seconds tick by – you distract yourself from the pain a little by recalling the time you had started and count the number of minutes and seconds you had taken to finish this course. Not bad, you think. The crowd flanking the sides are chorusing. Their reverberating energy recharges you. You push a little harder for just a bit more.

As you come closer, photographers kneel down close by you. They direct the lens in your face. You don’t know whether to smile, or to look serious. You try to rearrange your face into some semblance of a winning runner. You think about the people who would be celebrating this success with you. Further ahead, some of your fellow runners have finished. They’re waiting around for friends to join them and might already be wearing their finisher’s tee.

Thud, thud, thud. Your feet is heavy and you can feel the exhaustion sinking in. But you know it’s just another 30 seconds, 20 seconds, and 10 seconds before you yourself become one of the finishers. You stride another foot ahead of the other. The final distance closing in. As you push through the last time pad installed on the ground, you feel a rush of joy. Pride, then excitement.

You’ve finished your race.

You’re a winner.

The last glorious lap is going to be one you relish for a while. At least for the few hours you spend massaging your sore feet and downing 100PLUS like you hadn’t had some on the course. None of these can describe the emotions you are feeling. Later, you’d be busy taking Instagram shots, and walking around the carnival in search of freebies. But for now, you collapse at the nearest empty spot, bathing in the pleasures of your own dream come true.

It’s always the hardest during the run itself. For some of us, it might be the nerve-wrecking and discouraging self talk before the race itself. Make it easier with yourself and do the necessary preparation the night before. You can:

a) Set your running outfit ready beforehand and pin your race bib on

b) Put your coffeemaker into automatic so you can wake up with a hot brew

c) Assemble a running playlist the night before

During the run itself, envision how you’d feel and what you’d see when you race across the finishing line. Would your parents be there? Would you be going for breakfast at your favorite Old Changi Airport Rd Hawker Centre after that? These create positive self talk that can give you strength during the race. Don’t be afraid to dream about success and about achievement.

5 Pieces of Advice That Might Save First Timers At A Race

Team JustRunLah!
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5 Pieces of Advice That Might Save First Timers At A Race

You’ve got your race bib, checked. And didn’t prick yourself while trying to put it on. You’ve also got your shoes laced up tight, maybe too tight but it should be fine.

The first-time for anything is nerve wrecking. A lot can go wrong, some of them you could never have fathomed. But a whole lot you imagined stays just as a flicker of thought. In helping first-time racers out there, here are 5 essentials that can make the difference that matters.

#1 Remember your pre-race fuel

Many of us choose to skip on the meal before a run. After all, it’s not always feasible to wake up at 3am to prepare for your 5am run. Neither does running with undigested food jostling about in your stomach sound appealing. For easy pace runs below 60 minutes, it shouldn’t do much harm to run on an empty stomach. Anything more intense than that can quickly deplete your energy stores and leave you too tired to maintain your pace. Instead of skipping a meal altogether, consider simpler snacks such as a peanut butter sandwich and a piping hot cup of Milo.

pre-race nutrition (runnersworld)
Content source: The Runner’s World Big Book of Marathons and Half-Marathons

#2 Do a couple of deep squats

Squats provide huge benefits to runners, so much so that it’s a wonder we don’t do more. It’s a full body warm up and because you’ve moving up and down, it gets your circulation going. It also targets the muscles around your knee, which are also the muscles that propel you forward AND stabilise your knee. Working in some deep squats would wake up the quads and hamstrings needed for your race later.

#3 Dress comfortably

There are some outfits that we know would not cause our thighs to itch, or expose our unhappy belly. We won’t end up feeling irritated, jittery or distracted. We are more confident about covering that race distance in them because they’re so broken in that we feel entirely comfortable in them. On race days, wear those. Especially when the race singlets always come out too short, wearing running outfits that you’re familiar with would help you through the crawling distances.

#4 Pack light

Races these days are outshining each other with their logistics management. You aren’t trapped in a queue for a good few hours and you don’t wring with fear about losing personal valuables. Still, if you’re the kind who get nervous before a race or just aren’t the kind fully functioning at 5am in the morning, you won’t want to have anything else to think about. So, pack light. Dean Karnazes, the remarkable man who completed 50 marathons in 50 days, carries only his handphone, a couple of important cards and some cash every time he goes out for training runs. You can even ditch the extra change of clothes and get into your finisher’s tee instead!

#5 Make ‘Having Fun’ a goal

havingfun
Photo credit: Just Run Lah

It’s easy to forget having fun, and even if you do, it’s probably a good to have. Especially if your friends would ask you at the end of the race, “So how long did you take?” You must know though, that you’re running for yourself. And in the last leg-breaking few kilometers of the race, it’s the reliable beat of your heart and the familiar rush of lactic acid to your legs that keep you going. It’s going to end up as an experience quite unparalleled what you’d have expected, and having fun is going to jack up the value of that experience. Savor it. For yourself and those hours of training, have fun.

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