Race Review: Great Eastern Women’s Run 2015 [21.1km] (by ‘runforfun’)

By

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November 1, 2015

Back to this race for the second year running!

Great race as usual. Too bad I wasn’t on form (trying not to blame the haze, but oh wells, that is still part of the reason) and thus the unofficial timing of 2 hours 20 minutes. Well, it is still an improvement from last year’s run.

Before the race

I was so worried that the race may not proceed on as usual due to the recent haze situation. Luckily for us, or with the power of all of the ladies, rain and wind came and blew the haze away. However, due to the haze too, I am unable to get in my long distance runs out and have to resort to treadmill running.

Also, I guess everybody knows that before the race, you are suppose to feed your body with enough food and with food that will not cause any stomach upset. But, my mom happens to cook curry chicken the night before the race and “forces” me to eat papaya too. I believe you can guess what this combination will do to your body. Now that I have learnt my lesson, I will NEVER do this again.

First 7km of the race

To be honest, I was trying to aim for a timing of below 2 hours for this race. Therefore, I started the race off by chasing after the 2 hours pacers and getting in front of them, which I manage to do. However, I got tired really quickly and the 2 hours pacers took over me at about 3km into the race. The route of this part of the race is slightly different from last year. This year’s route included running around OCBC Arena aka Sportshub which includes a few slopes at the tunnels.

Second 7km of the race

Because of the last 21.1km race in August (2XU Compression Run), I brought a Maxifuel gel with me so that I can fuel myself with sugars and salts to prevent muscle cramps and minimize fatigue. The gel works like a miracle! Okay, this may be too over the top but it really does wonders. The banana provided by the race at about 13km also helps to provide me with energy. However, at this point of time, the arch on my right feet start hurting (due to abrasion, I think).The run started to get very hard from then on.

Last 7km of the race

Haii, the 2 hours 15 minutes pacers passed me. I think this is where my mental strength came into action. My glutes, hamstring, quads, calfs, knees and arch of my feet were hurting like hell. At about 15km, I had to stop due to some pain in my knees and thanks to a lady who asked if I was alright and offered me salts. However, I ran on after a while of rest and slowly jog my way up the marina barrage and down to gardens by the bay. There were a few supporters there with placards and cheers which boost my energy quite a bit. However, the last 1 km of the race was a torture. My muscles were so stiff and painful! There is still another small slope after the Merlion Park. And at last, I finished the race strong!

Post-run reflections

Not my best run, that is for sure. Have not been clocking distance after the August 2XU Compression Run because of time but still no excuses. Furthermore, I did not do enough stretching the week before which caused my muscles to stiff up almost half of the race.

Congratulations to all ladies that participated in the runs! Especially kudos to those who ran with their tutus!! All of you are so cute!

-runforfun.justrunlah-

Race Review: Great Eastern Women’s Run 2015 [10 km] (by ‘Ah Girl’)

By

Ah Girl

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November 1, 2015

Today marks the 10th year of the largest all-women race in Asia, the Great Eastern Women’s Run (GEWR) where 17,000 over female runners from Singapore and beyond challenge their endurance, speed and celebrate the journey to greatness. This is the first time taking part in the GEWR and I’m glad I did in their milestone event this year!

Race Pack Collection

I collected my race pack on the last day of the collection date and I’ve got to say, the GEWR 2015 race pack is the most elaborate and generous of all the race packs I’ve received thus far. The huge red gym bag contained a bundle of sponsored items from female personal care items to a stack of retail and food vouchers, not to forget a race tee plus a memento tee for the 10th anniversary special!

I’m not sure if any other ladies experienced the same problem as I did, but the sizing for the shirts seemed to be larger than I expected. There was an option for exchanging shirts but unfortunately the size I wanted was unavailable for exchange as they are reserved for participants who have yet to collect theirs and had indicated that size when they registered. Though slightly disappointed, it did not affect me too much as I can always give to my fellow female friends who suit the sizing to wear for their runs too! To me, the race pack is a bonus and the race experience is what I am paying for – for clear and safe roads, organized and fun race day programmes, and perhaps a well-designed and memorable finisher medal.

Race Day: Finally, clear blue skies!

I was hoping all week that the haze would clear and I am super thrilled that it finally did! GEWR organizers notified runners twice of the haze situation before race day to pre-empt runners and kudos to them for letting us rest without worries the night before. My race flag-off was at 7am and I arrived an hour earlier to deposit my bag, which is a few hundred metres away from the starting pen. Mobile toilets, pre-race hydration booths were spotted and of course, ladies in vibrant tutus were seen getting hyped for the race! For those who are puzzled, runners can show their support by purchasing and wearing these special tutus, where all the proceeds from the sale of tutus go to the Breast Cancer Foundation, Community Chest (in support of children with special needs) and the SingHealth Duke-NUS OBGYN Academic Clinical Programme.

Well-planned and challenging race route – Turns, bends and slopes

It is a personal habit of mine to check out what I’m in for the night before a race day. At first glance, the 10km and 21km route seemed rather complicated, with numerous loops, turns and long stretches of roads/bridge that challenge one’s stamina and endurance to conquer the varying elevation. For 10km, I felt that the road was moderately flat, wide and I did not experience major bottlenecks. I guess this is probably why the flag-off timing for 21km was so much earlier.

Though there were many barricades placed throughout the route, there were still occasional road users like cyclists and random joggers who shared the route with GEWR runners. I’m not sure if that affected any runners, but I would advise everyone to keep on a lookout for each other’s safety and I believe it is a basic courtesy of non-race participants to give priority to event participants since it is “their day”.

Sufficient, varied hydration points

Hydration points were plenty where most offered mineral water and a few having isotonic drink options. Areas for throwing used paper cups were cornered and volunteers were very helpful and encouraging as well.

Clear and Motivating Distance markers

The GEWR distance markers captured my attention because each distance marker had a motivating statement and one of which I remembered vividly was the one towards the finishing line where it said something like, “You have been through tougher times than this!” That really made me push on and run the remaining distance.

Post-race carnival

Like most major race events in Singapore, a race carnival with food, beverage, photo and game booths were set up for today to let runners enjoy some post-run treats. For GEWR, there was a tentage that offered free massage services and another for runners to relief heat and sweat with mirrors, clean wipes and face sprays!

I enjoyed myself snapping photos with fellow female running buddies, snacking on hotdog buns, sparkling water, cotton candy and watching the adorable girls donning their tutus completing the Princess Dash!

Race Reflections

At the 7-8km mark, I experienced a numbing sensation on both my thighs, as if my legs were jelly and lacked strength to go on further. Thoughts of giving up and walking to the finishing line did flash through my mind multiple times but the disappointment and regret would me feel really bad that I gave in so easily. So that made me chuck that thought away and I even resorted to pinching my thighs to inject some feeling into it. As nonsensical as it sounds, it somewhat worked and I held onto the belief of ‘mind over body’ and eventually I managed to complete the race successfully.

The past week hasn’t been smooth-sailing – Suffered some minor respiratory infection due to the haze and was busy managing work commitments, which resulted in a mere 5km mileage for the week. With that, I told myself last night that I would just run today’s race as a physical and mental relief from cooping in the office and run for the empowerment of women!

With some motivation and encouragement from my running buddies that sometimes a period of good rest can be beneficial to ‘refresh’ one’s running, I managed to surprise myself with a new PB I never imagined would have happened so early! A sub 50min was supposed to be my 2016 new year running resolution. So now it seems like I need to ‘refresh’ my goals for the new (and hopefully haze-free) year! Congratulations to all superwomen who finished their races and I look forward to GEWR 2016 and upcoming races too! Hope you had a great Sunday sweating it out with your female friends and thanks to all who came down to support!

Race Day: Great Eastern Women’s Run 2015 Singapore

By

Team JustRunLah!

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November 1, 2015

JustRunLah! was at Asia’s largest all-women race this morning, capturing the energy created by over 17,000 women. The event catered for all women as it offered a Half-Marathon (21.1km), a 10km and a 5km category, as well as a Princess Dash (100m) for the young ones! An fun-for-everybody event which was also a memorable occasion as Great Eastern Women’s Run broke the record for the most participants in an all-women run in Asia.

Congratulations to all finishers, and let us re-live some of the moments through our lens:

Official press release:

10^th edition of Great Eastern Women’s Run attracts record turnout of 17,000

The Run raised $120,000 for women and children-related causes

This morning, the 17,000 women who participated in the Great Eastern Women’s Run broke the record for the largest number of participants in an all-women run in Asia.

The race, in its 10^th edition, was bigger, better and more colourful and attracted increased participation in all three categories — the 5km Fun Run, 10km and 21.1km.

Guest-of-Honour, Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, flagged off the 10km category and also joined in the race.

Commented Minister Grace Fu, “I’m very happy to see that the scale of the Run has increased to 17,000 this year. I think Great Eastern Women’s Run has been a very attractive event for women, and I’d like to encourage women to adopt a healthy lifestyle because that will really help build a much better life for them. We would also like to see that more corporates step up, to not just promote healthy living but also to do a good social cause. With the efforts of the runners and Great Eastern, a substantial amount was raised for three charities. I think this is a wonderful idea of collaboration of people, corporates and the social sector. We hope more will come forward so that Singaporeans will enjoy an active lifestyle and do social good for the country as well.”

For the first time, participants donned colourful tutus in a myriad of hues of pink, blue, yellow and purple, in support of three women and children-related charities — Breast Cancer Foundation, Community Chest (Children with Special Needs) and SingHealth Duke-NUS OBGYN Academic Clinical Program.

Dr Khoo Kah Siang, CEO (Singapore), Great Eastern Life, commented, “We are extremely pleased with the record turnout of women of all ages for this special milestone year. As a LIFE company, Great Eastern is delighted to empower women through our signature Run and further fuel their zest for life. We are equally delighted this year to leverage the Run to raise a record $120,000 for three laudable causes. I applaud all participants for their commitment to healthy living through running. On Great Eastern’s part, we will continue to make a meaningful difference to the community.”

A total of 15 elite runners from Japan, North Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Philippines and Taiwan competed for a total prize purse of USD$16,500 and SGD$6,700 in their respective elite categories.

In the 21.1km Half Marathon Elite Open category, 18-year-old Kim Ji Hyang from North Korea emerged the overall winner with a timing of 1:12:53, taking home the grand prize of USD$8,000.

Yuko Watanabe, 28-years-old, from Japan put up a close fight with a timing of 1:16:01, followed by Myong Sun Sin from North Korea with a timing of1:17:06

Commented Ji Hyang, “Of course I’m happy to win but I didn’t expect to be first. There were stronger competitors today, such as the Japanese athletes, so this win is really unexpected. I’m happy to be able to bring home the gold medal for my people and my leader. It’s my first time in Singapore and I felt the running route today allowed me to see how beautiful Singapore is.”

The local Elite Closed category saw tough competition with Vivian Tang first past the finish Line with a time of 1:28:37. Rachel See was a close second with1:28:45 followed by last year’s local Elite Closed winner Mok Ying Rong at 1:31:11.

Commented Vivian, “I wasn’t expecting to win. I thought I would finish either second or third, I’m very happy with my win! The route was challenging but overall, the weather was great. This is my first time taking part in the 21.1km category of the Run and I am very happy with my result. I will give myself a nice treat after this!”

Another highlight was undoubtedly the inaugural Princess Dash. The race village at The Float@Marina Bay buzzed with squeals of delight and excitement as 500 girls aged three to nine years, clad in pink princess-like tutus participated in a 100-metre dash. Joining them were Minister Grace Fu and girls from Community Chest. All the girls were rewarded with a tiara to ‘top’ their glittering ensemble after their dash.

Commented Ang Siew Hoon, parent of soon-to-be four-year-old Emma Loh who took part in the Princess Dash earlier, “The Princess theme appealed to the little girls and it was obvious that all the kids had plenty of fun. It’s not every day that girls get to dress up for activities such as the Princess Dash, and the smiles as they tore down the first stretch together was priceless.”

The #RuntoLiveGreat programme was back by popular demand this year. 80 pairs of women participated in the Run and the programme, championed by social ambassadors Cheryl Miles, Kelly Latimer and May Wan.

Fittingly, the Jubilee Bridge was a new inclusion on the race route for the half marathon participants during this Jubilee year. The race route saw participants running past local iconic landmarks including Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, Merlion Park, Esplanade, Singapore Flyer, F1 Pit Building and the Sports Hub.

The ‘Look Good, Live Great’ Powder Room, a perennial crowd favourite, attracted scores of participants who made a beeline for the room to freshen up after their race. Participants were also treated to muffins, apples, hotdogs and massages.

At the Race Village, families and supporters enjoyed treats such as complimentary popcorn and candy floss. The bouncy castle, balloon sculpting, arts and crafts station also proved a hit.

Results

21.1km Half Marathon Elite Closed

Position	Name	Time
1^st	Vivian Tang	1:28:37
2^nd	Rachel See	1:28:45
3^rd	Mok Ying Rong	1:31:11
4^th	Neo Jie Shi	1:31:38
5^th	Lim Baoying	1:31:42

21.1km Half Marathon Elite Open

Position	Name	Time
1^st	Kim Ji Hyang	1:12:53
2^nd	Yuko Watanabe	1:16:01
3^rd	Sin Myong Sun	1:17:06
4^th	Mary Joy Tabal	1:19:36
5^th	Misaki Nishida	1:22:11

21.1km Half Marathon Individual Closed

Position	Name	Time
1^st	Jasmine Goh	1:38:36
2^nd	Qi Hui	1:41:23
3^rd	Jenny Huang	1:42:14

21.1km Half Marathon Individual Open

Position	Name	Time
1^st	Peninah Kigen	1:25:49
2^nd	Tarus Gladys Jepkechel	1:26:50
3^rd	Esther Karimi	1:27:16

10km Individual Closed

Position	Name	Time
1^st	Cheryl Chan	39:17
2^nd	Ng Yu Jun	40:48
3^rd	Janielle Lim	42:03

10km Individual Open

Position	Name	Time
1^st	Isebllah Kigen	36:16
2^nd	Heidi Makinen	41:25
3^rd	Fleur Legrain	41:33

Top 5 Richest Marathons in the World

By

Shu

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October 29, 2015

For years, many marathons did not offer prize money to its winners, but this has since changed. Prize money is now competitive among marathons, and is used to attract the top runners from around the world to compete in their races. Here are some of the top few marathons over the world that offer the highest prize money:

5. Seoul International Marathon

Celebrating its 85^th year running, the Seoul marathon in South Korea is one of the most prestigious races with approximately 25,000 runners competing each year. The champion male and female finishers get to bring home $80,000 provided that they finish under 2:10:00 and 2:24:00 respectively ($40,000 if they do not meet the target time). World record bonuses are $500,000 for men, and $300,000 for women. There is also a time bonus of $200,000 for sub-2:04:00 (male) and sub-2:18:00 (female); and other time bonuses amounting down to $5,000.

4. Bank of America Chicago Marathon

This coveted race is a showcase of some of the top marathoners in the country. With about 45,000 participants, 1.7 million spectators, and a half a million dollar prize purse, this is one of Chicago’s biggest annual events, drawing people from all over the world to the fast, flat course. The prize money for winning the 2015 race was $100,000, plus $75,000 if you set a course record and time bonuses (non-cumulative) of $55,000 and below.

3. TCS New York City Marathon

The first NYC Marathon was held in 1970, entirely in Central Park, with only 127 entrants, 55 finishers and a lone female racer, who dropped out because of an illness. With an entry fee of only $1, the prize purse was only $1,000, and the awards for winners were inexpensive wristwatches and recycled baseball or bowling trophies. Over the years, the race has grown and the course has been brought to the streets of New York, while the prize has also become much more competitive. Today, the TCS New York City Marathon prize purse totals a guaranteed $705,000. The men’s and women’s champion receive $100,000 each, with an extra $50,000 for a time of sub-2:05:30 (men) and sub-2:22:30 (women).

2. Boston Marathon

The Boston Marathon is the oldest marathon in the world and the second longest continuously run footrace in the US. The top male and female finishers each receives $150,000, with second place earning $75,000. The total prize purse is a whopping $850,000, which has been sponsored by John Hancock Financial since 1986. There is a bonus prize of $50,000 for breaking the world best time, and $25,000 for breaking the course record. The most rewarded Boston runner of all time was four times champion Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot, a Kenyan runner who has earned a total of $469,000 from the Boston race alone.

1. Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon

While the glamorous city is known for its impressive skyscrapers and luxurious lifestyle, Dubai Marathon does live up to its city’s reputation too. In fact, the Dubai Marathon is the world’s richest marathon with the most expensive prize money of US$200,000 for first place winners and an additional US$100,000 for marathon world record bonus. In January of 2008, the Dubai Marathon was the richest long distance running event in history. The winners received $250,000 (more than double any prize money to that date) and a million dollar offer from Dubai Holding if they set a world best. Unfortunately, no record was set that day, as Haile Gebrselassie won in 2:04:53, which, on that date in 2008, only ranked second in marathon history. He went on to set the 2008 record later that year in the Berlin Marathon with a time of 2:03:59.

Abbott World Marathon Majors

On the other hand, Abbott World Marathon Majors determines the world’s best male and female marathoners, awarding $500,000 each to the men’s and women’s champions. The prize money will be awarded to the top male and female point earners in Qualifying Races, after each full year of competition. This can potentially increase the prize money of any of the marathon winners of the following Qualifying Races:

Tokyo Marathon
Boston Marathon
Virgin Money London Marathon
BMW BERLIN-MARATHON
Bank of America Chicago Marathon
TCS New York City Marathon
Olympic Marathon
IAAF World Championships Marathon

Quick links:

World’s Bucket-List Marathons & Races

Should You Get Those Running Tights?

By

Team JustRunLah!

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October 28, 2015

You have seen other runners wearing them and the tights sure add to their cool factor. However, due to humid weather here in Singapore, most of us runners are used to running in shorts and may even irk at the thought of having to wear long bottoms just for going out, much less for running. Sure, shorts are lightweight and provide us with the extra breeze when we run, but running tights can be so appealing too. While running tights may not be very wallet-friendly, they have plenty benefits for us runners:

Protection from elements

Running tights provide an extra layer of protection for your legs while you run, without compromising on comfort and functionality. They can prove to be an essential piece of your running wardrobe, as they protect the skin on your legs from the elements, whether it is the blazing hot sun or the chilly winds. Running tights are also great for runners who enjoy trail running or running overseas, when you will be exposed to different terrain types or weather conditions, and having your legs covered can give you that extra protection from scratches or insect bites.

Enhanced blood circulation and support to your muscles

Seams on running tights are often designed to follow the lines of your muscles, even providing support to the major muscles like your hamstrings. Tights made from compression fabrics are supposed to fit like a second skin on your legs, giving you extra support and increased circulation to the legs. This is especially important for long-distance runners as enhanced overall circulation to your legs can help to decrease energy expenditure at prolonged speeds, potentially giving you that extra edge during the last stretch of your run.

Decreased resistance

While the wind resistance from a pair of running shorts is likely minimal, running tights create a streamlined profile that can help reduce wind resistance and are often contoured so that your clothes never affect your overall stride. On the other hand, shorts that fit loosely can catch pockets of wind and also make you more susceptible to chafing while running, which may affect your overall performance. This occurs when the fabric of the shorts is moving and rubbing against the skin especially during a long-distance run.

Self-expression

Running tights today have evolved from yesterdays. There are so many different designs available in the market now and this once-dull-looking apparel has become a fashion statement especially for female runners. Who says we can’t look good while we are running?

Tips for buying running tights

Get total coverage tights that cover to your ankle if you are running in cold places. Otherwise, a knee length one will do for warm weather conditions.
Check the opacity of your tights under strong light, you wouldn’t want to be caught with wardrobe malfunction problems during a run!
It is more preferable to get a pair that comes with pockets, so u can keep your ID, debit card, keys (also making sure that your tights do not come off when you run).

Great Eastern Women’s Run 2015 : Organisers to Provide Updates on Haze Situation

By

Team JustRunLah!

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October 28, 2015

The past few months have not been a good time for races due to the prolonged haze period this year. Great Eastern Women’s Run (GEWR) 2015 will be happening this Sunday and organisers have been closely monitoring the situation leading up to Race Day. The organisers place great importance on the health of race participants and contingency plans have also been put in place in the event that the haze situation warrants a race cancellation.

We can expect an update on the race status at 8.30pm on Saturday, 31 October via SMS and on the event website, and GEWR Facebook page. The second update will be made at 2.30am on Sunday, 1 November.

The organisers will be referring to the National Environmental Agency (NEA)’s PSI guidelines, proceeding with the race only when it is a moderate PSI level of 100 and below. However, should the PSI level hit 101 and above, which in accordance with NEA guidelines is considered unsuitable for prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion, the race will be cancelled.

In the event of a race cancellation, alternative collection arrangements of the Finishers’ entitlements will be provided for the runners. They can collect them from Great Eastern Centre at 1 Pickering Street. More details will be shared on the event website and Facebook page.

Colin Chan, Chief Marketing Officer, Great Eastern Life, commented, “We understand that the participants are looking forward to the event and, on our part, preparations have been going on for more than half a year. However, we place the health of our runners, working crew and volunteers as utmost priority and will only proceed with the Race under acceptable conditions. We seek everyone’s understanding on this and I encourage all participants to look out for our updates.”

For more information, please visit greateaasternwomensrun.com or www.facebook.com/GreatEasternWomensRunSingapore.

Congratulations to JRL Academy Head Coach and Trainer

By

Team JustRunLah!

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October 28, 2015

For 5 seconds into the race, Lexxus Tan lead the race. He finished the Osaka Marathon 2015 in 2hrs 50min 11seconds. Beating his time at Gold Coast Marathon 2015 of 2hrs 54mins. At 43 years of age, Lexxus is the top veteran runner in Singapore. The only coach currently training and coaching full time in Singapore always believe in setting the right examples for the academy runners to follow, ran hard, ran well.

Lexxus: “Head wind was so strong! Not good for a light runner like me!”

Assistant trainer to Lexxus, Liu Zhiyong finished the Osaka Marathon 2015 in 2hrs 59mins. Beating his time at Gold Coast Marathon 2015 of 3hrs 00mins. At 32 years of age, Zhiyong is considered a late boomer in the event. An audit manager for the past 8 years joined the family at JustRunLah three months back, believes that enjoying one’s passion is the key to all success.

Zhiyong: “Appreciating the race, taking in the awesome atmosphere and enjoying the experience were my objectives today. I'm happy with a good timing at the end." — Zhiyong: “Appreciating the race, taking in the awesome atmosphere and enjoying the experience were my objectives today. I’m happy with a good timing at the end.”

Congratulations to both runners, may the both of you scale greater heights in the months to come.

Special mention for runners who have broken their personal best. Prasant Kannoth 3hrs 17mins (Previous PB: 3hrs 42mins), Kelvin Chua 3hrs 32mins (Previous PB: 3hrs 35mins) and Mark Chng 3hrs 35mins and Susan Tan for completing her first marathon in 4hrs 34mins.

As our head coach’s famous quote, “With dedication, discipline and determination, every dream can be achieved.”

We thank Flight Centre Active Travel, our academy’s travel partner for the planning and making this overseas race a successful and enjoyable one. With most runners enjoying their trip, we look forward to Penang Marathon with excitement.

We were born to run. Run the world, one race at a time.

In Land of the Rising Sun with FCAT for Osaka Marathon 2015: Race Expo

By

Team JustRunLah!

-

October 27, 2015

Day 2: Race Expo

While the race participants were eagerly queueing up for their individual race packs, the other side of the expo was also filled with energy coming from vendors engaging runners about their newest running products and services. Most activities at the booths were met with long queues of cheering crowds and curious runners. It was great to see all runners coming together to celebrate the one thing we all love – running. The race expo was also accompanied by a mega food expo showcasing the delicacies of Osaka, which provided a good platform runners to mingle around and learn about Osaka’s culture. And as expected of Japanese’s excellent service standards, the vendors and volunteers were very courteous and politely entertained every runners’ enquiries and requests.

The Osaka Marathon 2015 Race Expo was definitely, one of the best race expos we had ever attended. Thank you to Flight Centre Active Travel for giving us the opportunity to experience the passion runners have for Osaka Marathon and a preview of the race on Sunday.

The event

An annual marathon road running event for men and women held in late October in the city of Osaka, Japan. Happening on Sunday, 25 October 2015, the 2015 Osaka Marathon is expecting a staggering 30,000 marathoners. There is also a “Challenge Run” covering a distance of 8.8km. The event will kick off at 8:55 a.m. with the wheelchair race, followed by the Marathon and Challenge Run at 9:00 a.m. Both marathoners and challenge runners will flag off at the exquisite Osaka Castle Park.

The event is jointly hosted by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations and Yomiuri Shimbun, a Japanese national newspaper. Runners are able to select the charity colours representing the charity theme and activities of the charitable organisation they wish to support: Red—to support your hopes to live, Orange—to assist your dreams, Yellow—to support families, Green—to conserve our natural environment, Light blue—to provide clean water, Navy—to brighten children’s future, and Purple—to preserve the beautiful Osaka city.

With FCAT you can combine your love of travel, fitness and adventure.

Click here to enquire about packages!

Benefits Of Drinking Water At The Right Time

By

Shu

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October 27, 2015

Our body is 2/3 made up of water and water helps to keep our body functioning properly. Although we may not be able to feel it, we are continuously losing water from skin evaporation, breathing, urine, and stool. Especially for us runners, we tend to lose more water content when we are working out; it is important for us to replenish and replace these losses daily to maintain a good health. Not having enough water can cause us to experience dehydration – which may result in lethargy, headaches, dry skin, bad breath and many more. In worse cases, it may even result in kidney stones or kidney failure. While it is recommended for us to drink 8 glasses of water to keep ourselves hydrated throughout the day, drinking water at different times of the day can also help our body in different ways. Find out what are the benefits drinking water can bring us:

Top 3 Reasons to Run the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon 2015

By

Jarin T

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October 26, 2015

angkor-marathon1 — Image credit: AngkorMarathon.org

The 20th Angkor Wat International Half Marathon 2015 (AWHM) is a world-bucket list and must-do race for runners all over the world. Manulife – one of the world’s leading life insurance companies, is the principal sponsor for this year’s AWHM, which will be taking place on 6 December 2015 at the majestic Angkor Wat of Cambodia – the largest religious monument in the world.

AWHM aims to encourage families and communities to participate together and live a healthy lifestyle and it is one of Cambodia’s largest fund-raising events. The 5-year sponsorship from Manulife reflects their commitment to build a stronger Cambodian society where peoples’ futures, and those of their children, are better protected. With such huge support and efforts put forth by sponsors, race organisers and participants from many different countries, here are the Top 3 reasons why YOU should be part of the 20th AWHM 2015:

#1 Run in Angkor – UNESCO World Heritage Site, symbol of Cambodia

Image credit: Angkor © Ko Hon Chiu Vincent, UNESCO

Spanning across a total area of 400 square kilometres, including forested areas, Angkor is one of the most prominent and significant archaeological sites of Southeast Asia. It was built in the 12th century by Khmer King Suryavarman in the capital of Khmer Empire, which gradually transformed from a Hindu to Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century. The architecture and layout of the successive capitals bear witness to a high level of social order and ranking within the Khmer Empire. Angkor is therefore a major site exemplifying cultural, religious and symbolic values, as well as containing high architectural, archaeological and artistic significance (Source: UNESCO).

Angkor Wat is the best-preserved temple of the entire temple complex, largest religious monument in the world and is ranked at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. The Cambodia national flag bears a symbol of the Angkor Wat and has been the top destination for visitors to Cambodia, ranked Number One by TripAdvisor’s 2015 Travelers’ Choice Award in June.

#2 Meet a Diversity of Running buddies

Last year, AWHM 2014 saw around 8,000 runners flying in from 78 countries to participate in this world bucket-list race event. There is simply no other race in the world that offers the same adrenaline rush, amazing opportunity of exploration of ancient ruins and interaction with so many runners!

Since 1996, the AWHM races have been the most popular sports event in Cambodia, known for its exhilarating and breath-taking race course amongst the majestic monuments of Angkor Wat, as well as the meaningful causes it supports for the Cambodian society and people.

As the saying goes, “Strangers at starting line, buddies at finishing line” – Such global event creates valuable opportunities for runners to meet new running buddies, forge meaningful friendships and create unforgettable race memories together.

Not to forget, the coolest months of the year in Siem Reap are December and January, in between the dry period of November to March with minimal rainfall. At nightfall, temperatures can go down to sub-20 degrees Celsius and reach a maximum heat of 30 degree Celsius in daytime. As such, December is one of the most popular months to visit Cambodia, and the perfect season to run a race!

#3 Run for a good cause – Support landmine victims

Every year, runners around the world fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia to participate in the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon to show their support for landmine victims by giving them courage, hope and raise awareness of their cause on banning the use of antipersonnel mines. Many landmine victims also personally participate in the race to inspire their fellow people and appeal to the world to support their cause.

Entry fees and additional financial support foster independence among landmine victims by helping to provide prosthetic limbs, social reintegration programs, and supporting other relevant and needed programs such as education and prevention of HIV/AIDS. In addition, the funds raised by the event also help support organizations including the Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital and the Angkor Hospital for Children and the Cambodian Red Cross.

AWHM 2015 – A World Bucket-list Marathon like no other

Choose from 3 race distances of 3km, 10km and 21km (half-marathon) and participate in the wide variety of race categories including families, runners with prosthetic limbs, wheel chair and fellow road runners.

#RunWithManulife in the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon 2015 for good health, a great cause and an awesome race!

Make your bucket-list dream race come true by registering for the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon 2015 here!

Race Day: Osaka Marathon 2015

By

Team JustRunLah!

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October 25, 2015

Marathon Day

Together with Flight Centre Active Travel, we made our way down to the Osaka Marathon 2015! We were greeted by a colorful sea of runners and crowd of enthusiastic supporters who kept cheering on “gambatte!”. It is definitely an unique experience at an overseas race and we are glad to be part of the Osaka Marathon 2015. Great job and congratulations to fellow runners who have completed the marathon!

The event

An annual marathon road running event for men and women held in late October in the city of Osaka, Japan. Happening on Sunday, 25 October 2015, the 2015 Osaka Marathon is expecting a staggering 30,000 marathoners. There is also a “Challenge Run” covering a distance of 8.8km. The event kicked off at 8:55 a.m. with the wheelchair race, followed by the Marathon and Challenge Run at 9:00 a.m. Both marathoners and challenge runners will flag off at the exquisite Osaka Castle Park.

The event is jointly hosted by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations and Yomiuri Shimbun, a Japanese national newspaper. Runners are able to select the charity colours representing the charity theme and activities of the charitable organisation they wish to support: Red—to support your hopes to live, Orange—to assist your dreams, Yellow—to support families, Green—to conserve our natural environment, Light blue—to provide clean water, Navy—to brighten children’s future, and Purple—to preserve the beautiful Osaka city.

With FCAT you can combine your love of travel, fitness and adventure.

10% OFF for Winter Run Singapore 2016

By

Team JustRunLah!

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October 25, 2015

Chill Out And Have Fun!

Join in the Winter Run and enjoy a cool weekend afternoon with your family and friends. Bring them along to experience this rare winter in summer! Last but not least, don’t miss out on the runners entitlements, including a unique ice medal and a mystery item!

Save 10% with JustRunLah!

All JRL readers get to enjoy an exclusive 10% off registration fees by using this code: WINTERRUN10DISCJRL upon checkout!

Register here!

A Quick Chat with Compressport Ambassador: Rachel

By

Team JustRunLah!

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October 25, 2015

Leading up to the Compressport Rail Corridor Run 2016 which is happening in coming January, we had a quick chat with one of their ambassadors Rachel as she shares with us her motivational spirit for running.

JustRunLah!: How will you introduce yourself to Singapore running community?

Rachel: Hello, I am Rachel aka “Rachdaretdream”.

JustRunLah!: When did you first pick up running (what age) and what inspired you to do so?

Rachel: I picked up running back in 2013, running has taught me that I am capable of so much more than I ever imagined.

JustRunLah!: Would you say that one needs to have a certain mindset to take up running as a sport/exercise activity?

Rachel: Depending if you are a competitive or leisure runner. Having a strong and positive mindset will set you in a right direction towards achieving your goals!

JustRunLah!: What would you consider to be your biggest running achievement so far?

Rachel: Inspiring and motivating others to pick up running and keeping fit!

JustRunLah!: How has Compressport products assist in your training/achievements?

Rachel: The Compressport products especially my favourite the R2 calf’s sleeves has many benefits, It is highly compressive and eliminates calf vibrations while running it also aids in my recovering after a hard- workout. The products comes in many beautiful colours that could easily match your workout outfit.

JustRunLah!: What are your future goals?

Rachel: To keep on spreading the joy of running and chasing personal best timings!

JustRunLah!: One reason why runners should join Compressports Rail Corridor Run 2016?

Rachel: It is one of the most unique race course in Singapore! You can get to run on different surfaces such as tarmac, grass, rocks and the woodland trails. You also get to see the historical Tanjong Pagar railway station. Rumours has it that it might be the last chance to run along this route – One race not be missed!

JustRunLah!: What advice would you give to all participants at Compressport Rail Corridor Run 2016?

Rachel: Stay Hydrated, always look out for un-even terrain ahead of you and most importantly enjoy the beautiful scenery when running.

JustRunLah!: What is your mantra for when the going gets tough in a race?

Rachel: If you can dream it, you can do it!

JustRunLah!: Finish this sentence: Running is…

Rachel: not just exercising; it is not just an achievement. It’s a daily discipline that has nothing to do with speed, weight, social status… It’s about the slow and painful process of being the best you can be!

Click here now to sign up for the Compr essport Rail Corridor Run 2016!

Race Day: New Balance Run On Singapore 2015

By

Team JustRunLah!

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October 25, 2015

This year’s race is New Balance Run On’s very first race in Singapore, which many participants were looking forward to run in. However, today’s PSI levels were unfortunately high throughout the day and the race organisers from New Balance Run On had to decide that the weather was not within the ideal conditions to race. To the participants’ disappointment, the race was changed to a non-competitive walk instead.

Despite this, the haze was unable to cause a damper on the spirits of the 4,000 participants that turned up today and many of them also had a great time at the carnival. While the haze was not within the organisers’ control, the whole event was very well organised and participants were also very cooperative. We can see participants queueing neatly at each booth at the pop-up festival to get their free beer, candy floss, truffle fries and tattoos. The race may not have happen as planned, but there were still smiles on everyone’s faces as they enjoy the food and music at the festival.

Check out our youtube channel for more running and race videos!

Race Review: Commando Challenge 2015 (by ‘SmallSteph’)

By

SmallSteph

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October 25, 2015

12045367_396669780525143_2427258463489818451_o — Credit: Commando Challenge Facebook Page

Two years ago, I was a disappointed finisher of the inaugural Commando Challenge. We were delayed for hours at the start point along the green corridor, many obstacles broke down beyond repair, and for a registration fee of $90+ we received a transparent plastic bag of a t-shirt and few vouchers as “race pack”. I did not return for the 2014 edition though it was managed by a different organiser.

But I heard that it went well. So this year, since the 2014 organiser is doing it again, I decided to give Commando Challenge another shot. Held at Sentosa, the 6km race over sand, tarmac and jungle, and featured 13 obstacles.

Credits: Commando Challenge Facebook Page

Two tutorial videos were published on the Commando Challenge Facebook page to prepare us for the race but I didn’t feel those were very useful. Perhaps next year the organisers may wish to consider a 30-day pre-race workout plan like The Spartan Race has for its participants.

Compared with the 2013 plastic bag, the race pack this year improved, albeit very slightly. It’s a drawstring bag, with a t-shirt, a can of Monster energy drink, an AXN handphone armband, and a few vouchers. T-shirts were unisex this year, i.e. men’s cut. An XS was still too big for me. The original registration fee was $85, and a $35 discount was extended to past-year runners. I still don’t think the race pack was substantial enough given the registration fee.

We started on time and none of the obstacles broke down. Red3 has done a fantastic overview of the obstacles, so please do hop over if you’re interested to find out about them.

Two years ago I gave up on the ice bath because it was too long. This year I went through both! I couldn’t feel my legs halfway through the first one which was chest-deep, but I decided the only way out was through the roughly 7m-long pool. The numbness took some time to subside. Then I heard from a friend (who finished the 10km Extreme Commando before running the 6km Commando Challenge) that there was a second ice bath. But we only had to crawl through that, without exactly submerging ourselves in the ice and water, so that went fine for me.

Credit: Commando Challenge Facebook Page

Many of the other obstacles require a certain amount of upper body strength, but everyone I witnessed did fine either by themselves, or with the aid of some awesome friends or fellow racers.

The most memorable obstacle for me was the final one, The Electric Shock. Prior to the race, I noticed a post on Commando Challenge’s Facebook wall that they would be bringing this back (from the 2014 race), and somebody responded with a vehement objection. So as I ran through the wires, I made sure to consciously experience the journey.

The voices in my head went something like, “hmm…nothing leh…oh wait. OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG YAY it’s over!”

So I felt the electricity about halfway through. My calves were pulsating. Strange that the feeling was only concentrated at my calves. I kept on putting one leg in front of another, but my legs seemed to have a life of their own and couldn’t stop right after the obstacle was over. So even after a Commando Challenge official hung my medal over me, I went on for a few more steps uncontrollably. Effects of the electric shocks probably differ between people, as some just collapsed for a breather after passing through the wires, and a friend’s ear was still tingling around 15 minutes after the race.

I felt that the most challenging part of the race wasn’t any particular obstacle, but rather running on sand. The uneven and unstable terrain gave my ankles great training. Washing my sandy shoes afterwards gave my arms great training too! Do you have any recommendations for suitable shoes for running on sand? Please share by leaving a comment below(:

Overall, I enjoyed the race and I felt it went well as there were no major mishaps on race day. Nevertheless, a plumper race pack and a women’s cut t-shirt would have been much appreciated.

Running Makes You Poop!

By

Shu

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October 24, 2015

Ever experienced the sudden urge to do a number 2 while you are running? It can be an embarrassing problem when you are running in a group or even during a race, putting you in a tight and agonising spot. While this may be a difficult topic to approach with your running buddies, let’s not shy away and find out more about the poop:

This might come as surprising, but it is a real problem among runners and there are even names for it. It can be known as mid-run diarrhoea, runner’s trots, jogger’s trots or even runner’s cramps. They have essentially the same meaning – a sudden and overwhelming need to evacuate your bowels during a long run.

A problem more common than you think

In fact, it happens to even the best runners – Paula Radcliffe had to squat at the side of the road to answer nature’s call while she was running the London Marathon 2005. She went on to win the race after pooping, and even setting the world record for women, which still stands today.

Why do you poop during a run?

On the other hand, over exertion can also lead to gastrointestinal stress. As a result, inexperienced runners may experience runner’s trots more often, which adds to why athletes should only increase their intensity and distance gradually.

What can you about it?

Poop before you run – To prevent unwanted bowel movements, the easiest way is to make sure the load is clear. Go for a poop before the race. Have a little food or coffee to activate the bowels and head to the bathroom before you hit the road. A short warm-up run in advance of a race can also help to get the bowels moving and help you empty everything out before the start,

Watch what you eat – Limit or avoid high-fibre and gas-producing foods, such as beans, bran, fruit and salad a day or two before the race. For runners who experience this problem more frequently, it is better to avoid high-fat foods, caffeine, and sugar alcohols. Warm liquids have also been known to speed foods through the digestive tract.

Avoid food 1-2 hours before run – Eating or drinking can activate the gastrocolic reflex, which essentially pushes things out when new food comes in.

Stay hydrated – Prevent your intestines from having difficulty to hold your load in and also to prevent yourself from getting dehydration during the run.

Trial and error to find out which pre-race and race nutrition routine works best for you. The above are simply suggestions for helping your bowel issues during a long run or race, but it may not be the absolute solution for everyone. Having your own tailored nutrition routine also has the added benefit of helping to relieve race stress, which contributes to alleviating gastrointestinal problems.

Good news for us: there appears to be less colon cancer in runners. You may be at lower risk for colon cancer because of your active bowels; the reason being that your bowel contents are not present in your colons as long as non-runners.

Let’s all poop happy and run happy together!

View or share with friends the the full infographic here (click and save image to view the full size):