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Singapore’s First Brain-Body Gym Opens In The Heart Of The CBD

Team JustRunLah!

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May 17, 2023

Singapore’s First Brain-Body Gym Opens In The Heart Of The CBD

SPARKD moves to its new home in the CBD with a greater focus on optimising cognitive health, brain performance, and longevity for professionals and high performers

SINGAPORE, 18 MAY 2023 –SPARKD, Singapore’s first gym specialising in improving cognitive brain function and performance, has re-opened its doors in a new location in the heart of the Central Business District (CBD). Located at 61 Robinson Road, the gym aims to better serve the executive and professional clients around the district.

As workplaces continue to be influenced by global competition, machine learning, and AI, more working professionals are recognising the need to improve, adapt, and maintain their brain performance in order to stay ahead of the curve. Studies have shown that there is correlational evidence that supports the claim that cognitive ability is one of the most significant determinants of job performance (Murphy, 2019).

The 1570 square feet gym takes a science-based approach in their programming, combining physical and cognitive exercises, which have been proven to render better results in cognitive performance than either type of training alone (Lauenroth, Ioannidis, & Teichmann, 2016). Making use of equipment brought in from the US and Europe, such as Reaxing and SMARTfit, participants will go through training designed to stimulate various domains of the brain.

These same technologies are also being used by the Canadian and US Special Forces, Ferrari F1 drivers, Italian Rugby Federation as well as leading soccer teams such as Manchester United and Juventus.

The SPARKD Story

SPARKD was the brain child of Anna Milani after she lost her grandfather to Alzheimer’s in 2014. It ignited her strong desire to find ways to help people maintainor improve their brain health before it was too late. Armed with her research into various studies and speaking to experts within the neuroscience industry, along with familiarising herself with the different technology available, SPARKD was born.

Currently, SPARKD offers a variety of options – from small group sessions to personal training as well as corporate offerings. Each session is a multi-component training consisting of resistance, aerobic, coordination, motor, and balance training along with cognitive motor training drills. The sessions are designed to challenge the body to move in increasingly complex ways whilst engaging the brain to complete a cognitive activity at the same time, training the brain to be a more resilient, responsive, and adaptive organ.

Anna Milani, CEO and Founder of SPARKD shares, “We firmly believe that cognitive training is an integral part of healthy living and SPARKD is equipped to provide the brain fitness training to enhance our brain’s potential. There are many benefits to incorporating brain-body training into our routine and to slow the cognitive decline as we age.”

SPARKD Box Pilot Study

In 2022, SPARKD carried out a study to assess the efficacy of a short-term dual-tasking cognitive-motor training intervention on the well-being (cognitive, physical, and psychological) of individuals. Participants were required to attend three high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions a week consisting of combined physical and cognitive training, either simultaneously (dual tasking) or subsequently.

At the end of the six weeks, they were required to do a reassessment of a series of tasks testing eight different functions – reaction time, hand-eye coordination, inhibition, prioritisation, tracking, attention, executive function, and basic functional mobility. 75%of the participants saw an improvement in at least 6 of the 8 tasks given as compared to their scores at the start of the study. The study also showed that 75% of the participants saw a net percentile increase across the four measured domains -memory, reasoning, verbal ability, and concentration.

The Future of SPARKD

Anna sees the potential in growing SPARKD within the business community as top executives search for non-conventional methods to enhance their cognitive capabilities and perform at their highest level. She has her eyes set on expansion beyond Singapore and is eager to spread the powerful benefits of brain and body fitness with more people.

“We’re excited that our new space will be able to reach a greater audience and look forward to working with corporations and organisations to help improve their teams’ cognitive abilities while getting a great workout at the same time!” Anna Milani adds.

Record-Breaking Feats Created At The 2023 Desaru Coast Multisport Festival

Team JustRunLah!

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May 15, 2023

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Record-Breaking Feats Created At The 2023 Desaru Coast Multisport Festival

More than 1,250 participants took part at this year’s edition
Harry Sinclair from Australia, finished as fastest overall male with a record time finish of 04:26:27
Siblings Daniel John Chen and Esther Joy Chen earn plaudits as top Malaysian finishers
Hong Kong’s Leanne Szeto takes home double wins as fastest female finisher at the 5150 and first finisher in her age-group at the IRONMAN 70.3

Desaru, 14 May 2023 – The increasing mass appeal of triathlon in Malaysia was showcased through the 2023 Desaru Coast Multisport Festival (DCMF), which witnessed over 1,250 participations from more than 50 countries who turned up over the weekend.

The three-day Multisport Festival featured a host of events for beginners to seasoned athletes who participated in various events including the IRONMAN 70.3 Desaru Coast, 5150 Triathlon Desaru Coast, Desaru Coast Sprint Triathlon and the IRONKIDS Desaru Coast.

This year’s event was made even more appealing by the fact that there were 55 qualification slots to the 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Lahti, Finland (26 & 27 August 2023).

25 of those slots were reserved specially for women, which highlighted the intent of the organizers to encourage participation amongst budding female triathletes.

With so many world championships slots to offer, the IRONMAN 70.3 Desaru Coast race on Sunday turned out to be a hugely engaging affair, with close to 900 participants starting out on a 1.9km swim from The Westin Desaru Coast Resort. They soon transitioned to a 90km bike course along the long straight, shaded roads before finishing off with a 21km run that culminated with the finish line back at The Westin Desaru Coast Resort.

Malaysian siblings Daniel John Chen and Esther Joy Chen, who had only just recovered from a Covid-19 bout last week, dominated the course as the fastest Malaysians.

Esther, the 2022 SEA Games Triathlete who beat her older brother with a finishing time of 05:03:09, admitted she didn’t know what to expect on her debut IRONMAN 70.3 race. “I couldn’t have asked for a better performance in my first race. I didn’t expect to do this well and to outrun my brother, especially after recovering from Covid-19 a week ago.”

Daniel meanwhile finished with a time of 05:03:44.

Harry Sinclair was crowned the overall fastest male finisher after the Australian turned in a strong and consistent performance to cross the finish line in first place under scorching conditions in Desaru. The 26-year-old said this was the most challenging race he’d ever endured.

“This was a big mental game and I had to keep grinding. I am glad I got it done, this is the hardest race I have ever done. It was a tactical race, I was at the front and I had to keep pushing to get the win,” said Sinclair.

Choo Ling Er meanwhile continued to make Malaysia her happy hunting ground. The Singaporean who won last year’s IRONMAN Langkawi 70.3 came out tops in Desaru as the fastest overall female finisher with a time of 04:49:52

“It was a good day for me. The plan was to swim steady, go hard on the bike and hold on to the run for the win. The weather was brutal, but I’m from Singapore and the last three weeks we have experienced a heatwave so it was a good acclimatization for me,” she said.

The IRONMAN 70.3 Desaru Coast oldest female finisher was Michiyo Sekiya, 62, from Japan who finished at 07:12:13, whereas the oldest male finisher was Japan-based Michael Turoczy, 70, with a finish time of 07:54:25.

Another notable participant included 2023 SEA Games Duathlete Tahira Najmunisaa who finished 3^rd in her age group of 30-39 with a finish time of 05:31:11

While the IRONMAN 70.3 delivered as the marquee event, the fringe events such as the Sprint Triathlon and 5150 Triathlon also proved a valuable experience for participants who wanted to get a first-hand IRONMAN experience.

The Desaru Coast Sprint Triathlon started out with a 750m swim, before transitioning to a 20km bike and finishing off with a 5km run.

The 5150 Triathlon Desaru Coast provided a more challenging experience with a 1.5km swim, before participants headed out on a 40km bike ride and completed with a 10km run.

For this Olympic distance category, former national triathlete Thiang Choong Yoong finished as fastest overall male finisher and fastest Malaysian with a time of 02:19:28, while Australian Leanne Szeto finished as the top female by clocking 2:24:13. Effarezan Abdul Rahman meanwhile took home the honours as the fastest Malaysian female with a time of 3:13:50.

The IRONKIDS also provided plenty of fun for more than 70 kids who participated, with a comprehensive crew of marshals and security personnel ensuring a safe zone for the children to swim, bike and run.

This year’s Desaru Coast Multisport Festival also served up an array of side activities for the 1,200 plus participants to enjoy throughout the weekend. It included the Milo x Wavvy Hub Surfskate Clinic, 5 Club Speed Golf and the Desaru Coast Festival Village for the weekends’ festival go-ers.

IRONMAN Asia Managing Director Jeff Edwards said yet another successful series in Desaru only highlights the significance of this venue as a pivotal race in the IRONMAN calendar.

“The success of back-to-back IRONMAN races here in Desaru Coast shows what an important event this is not just for Asia, but globally as well. We saw a great representation from not just Malaysians, but also triathletes from all over the world and it is an indication this race will only grow bigger and more successful,” he said.

Desaru Coast Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Roslina Arbak pledged the venue’s commitment to hosting the IRONMAN.

“Desaru Coast had the immense pleasure to host this three-day international sporting gala at our integrated destination resort for the second time. It was heartening for us to watch guests enjoy not only the races but also the festivities and activities throughout the three days.

“For this reason, we are determined to continue growing the festival. In continuing our commitment to host the Desaru Coast Multisport Festival presented by IRONMAN we hope that in the years to come Desaru Coast and the state of Johor become synonymous with the IRONMAN brand in the international circuit, making sports tourism a collective pillar of success for us,” said Chief Executive Officer, Roslina Arbak.

2023 Desaru Coast Multisport Festival Official Results

Are You Up For A Challenge? The National Vertical Marathon Is Not For The Faint Of Heart

Team JustRunLah!

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May 15, 2023

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Are You Up For A Challenge? The National Vertical Marathon Is Not For The Faint Of Heart

Have you ever wanted to climb 33 storeys high? Do you think you have what it takes to reach the top? The National Vertical Marathon is definitely for you!

National Vertical Marathon (NVM) is an annual national sporting event that sees its participants scale the great heights of a skyscraper by racing up flights of stairs. It is the brainchild of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Sports Club, a well-established, non-profit constituent club run entirely by students.

After their 2 years hiatus in 2020 and 2021, NVM 2023 is set to take place on 4 June 2023, Sunday, 7.00am to 5.30pm, at Guoco Tower, where participants of all ages scale the building to level 33 (150m) to enjoy a scenic view of the CBD. Their normal registration opens from 7 May to 27 May 2023. This year’s NVM will have a range of fringe activities, from sports to the arts and crafts, to ensure that there is something for everyone to enjoy and take away. With “Snake and Stairs” as our theme, they hope to transport the participants back in time while also creating new memories that they will cherish for years to come.

Event Information

Date: 4 June 2023
Time: 0700 to 1730
Venue: Guoco Tower, 1 Wallich St, Singapore 078881
Height: 33 levels / 150m

The Guoco Tower

Located in the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District, Guoco Tower is the tallest building in Singapore. The 290m-tall tower is a vertical city that rises directly above Tanjong Pagar MRT station, comprising Grade A offices, luxury residences, retail spaces, a hotel and an expansive urban park.

Guoco Tower’s state-of-the-art facilities and central location make it an ideal venue for hosting the event, offering a unique and challenging experience for those seeking a taste of adventure in the heart of Singapore.

Race Categories

INDIVIDUAL

MEN’S & WOMEN’S OPEN – The Men’s and Women’s Open categories are for runners aged 16 and above who are looking to push themselves to the limit. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a first-time competitor, the Men’s and Women’s Open offer a challenging and exhilarating experience.
VETERANS’ OPEN – Designed for runners aged 45 and above, the Veterans’ Open offers a chance to showcase your endurance and experience. Join fellow seasoned runners and compete for a chance to prove that age is just a number.
YOUTHS’ OPEN – The Youths’ Open category is for runners aged 16 to 24 who are ready to push their limits. Whether you’re a competitive runner or just looking for a new challenge, this category offers a chance to showcase your speed, endurance, and determination.
JUNIOR CLIMBERS – The Junior Climbers category is for young runners aged 10 to 15 who are ready to take on the challenge. With a focus on youth fitness and endurance, Junior Climbers can test their limits and build their skills in a supportive and exciting environment.

TEAMS

TEAMS’ OPEN – The Teams’ Open is for teams of four or five runners, with a minimum of two female runners, aged 16 and above. The Teams’ Open allows runners to compete alongside their friends or colleagues and push each other to reach the top of the vertical marathon course. With a focus on teamwork and camaraderie, this category offers a unique and exciting challenge for groups of runners of all levels.
DUO CHALLENGE – The Duo Challenge is a category for teams of two runners, aged 16 and above, who are ready to tackle the vertical marathon together. Whether you’re competing for fun or aiming for the top spot, this category offers a chance to test your teamwork and endurance as you make your way up the challenging course. Join other duos and see how fast you can make the climb.
YOUTH CHALLENGE – The Youth Challenge is a category for teams of four or five runners, with a minimum of two female runners, aged 16 to 24. This category provides a unique opportunity for youths to test their fitness and endurance in a challenging and exciting environment. This category is open to Pre-U and Uni students with separate pricing.
FAMILY FUN RUN – The Family Fun Run is a category for families to participate in the climb together. This category requires a team of three, four or five runners who are all family members, with at least one child aged 10 to 18, and between 1 to 2 adults aged 19 and above. The Family Fun Run is a great way for families to bond and work together, while also promoting an active and healthy lifestyle.

RELAY RACE

RELAY CHALLENGE – The Relay Challenge is a category for teams of three runners, with a minimum of one female runner, aged 16 and above who will work together to reach the top of the vertical marathon course. Each runner will be stationed on a different level of the building, and they will pass the baton to their teammate before making their way up to the next level. This category encourages runners to showcase their endurance, agility, and teamwork skills, making it an exhilarating and competitive event for participants. There will be prizes for the Fastest Corporate and Fastest Public Teams.

Entitlements

Every participant will receive a race pack containing an Event T-shirt and a Finisher Medal upon completion!

A chance to win prizes

The National Vertical Marathon is also giving the Top 3 placing participants a chance to walk away with prizes and top-placing medals!

Our Prizes include hampers such as the following for all categories:

1^st place – hamper worth up to S$500
2^nd place – hamper worth up to S$350
3^rd place – hamper worth up to S$250

To register and find out more, click here!

Zentosa LiveWELL Festival returns with over 250 activities across five holistic pillars of wellness

Team JustRunLah!

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May 11, 2023

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Zentosa LiveWELL Festival returns with over 250 activities across five holistic pillars of wellness

10 May 2023, Singapore – Zentosa LiveWELL Festival* returns to Sentosa with a holistic wellness compass for guests to curate their personal journey of wellness discovery. From 10 June to 9 July, the second edition of the festival will transform Sentosa into an island retreat with over 250 activities across five holistic pillars of wellness for festival-goers.

Leveraging Sentosa’s unique island vibes, Zentosa LiveWELL Festival will offer a range of experiences all across Sentosa Island, suitable for both Singapore residents and guests from around the region looking for a novel approach to wellness in an island-city getaway. Organised by Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), and in collaboration with the Wellness Festival Singapore, the festival also empowers guests to care for their mental health, even as more Singaporean residents are willing to seek help for their mental wellbeing.

A highlight is the new mental and emotional wellness zone, FeelWELL at Fort Siloso, anchored by art installations and poetry created by local artists Kult Studio & Gallery and Charlene Shepherdson, in collaboration with the National Arts Council and National Heritage Board. The installations and poetry tap into the storied history of Fort Siloso and aim to create an immersive experience for guests as they journey through quiet moments of self-reflection.

The festivities will kick off on 10 June with a specially organised Discovery Walk, where guests can discover more about Sentosa’s coastal and natural history as they embark on the walk with plenty of insightful pit stops along the way. Flagging off the Discovery Walk is Korean mixed martial artist and judoka Mr Choo Sung-hoon (better known by his nickname ‘Sexyama’), who had recently appeared on reality competition series, ‘Physical: 100’. As an exclusive privilege, Sentosa Islander members can register for one of 100 slots for an exclusive meet-and-greet session with him.

Zentosa LiveWELL Festival Village

Taking centre stage is the Zentosa LiveWELL Festival Village, housed at Southside from 10 to 25 June, leveraging the venue’s picturesque bayfront views as a serene yet vibrant backdrop. Aside from the ongoing activities and workouts, festival-goers can look forward to health- related talks, healthy food and beverage (F&B) options, and a range of free music programmes including Jazz by the Beach. SDC has also partnered The Body Shop Singapore which will be conducting yoga sessions at the Festival Village featuring instructor Brandon Chong.

Guests can curate their own wellness journey from across more than 250 activities at the festival, categorised into five key pillars, with mental wellness and the positive effects of strong lasting relationships as new focus areas this year.

FeelWELL – Building on mental wellness at Fort Siloso

FeelWELL will nurture one’s mind and soul through a transformative art installation by Kult Studio & Gallery. The installation ‘The Way to Wellness’ will be exhibited across three tunnels of Fort Siloso and brings guests on a journey to inner peace through visual, auditory, and tactile cues. The installation is deliberately interactive, drawing festival-goers in to evoke a sense of introspection and reflection, leaving them renewed and reinvigorated at the end of their journey. Throughout each tunnel, visitors will get to experience the marvels of Charlene Shepherdson’s literary works and appreciate the series of narratives and poems created by the artist. (Please see Annex for more information about the installations)

Guests can also pledge their commitment to better their own wellness journey by inking their pledge on a coloured ribbon which will be streamed together by local artists into a temporary art installation at the Fort Siloso Skywalk.

Artist impressions of the ‘Resolutions’ installation at Tunnel A Complex at Fort Siloso

Aside from the art installation, guests can also experience the healing power of plants through hands-on therapeutic horticulture workshops, among other activities that nurture guests’ emotional and mental wellness.

Create a piece of moss art at one of the FeelWELL workshops at Fort Siloso

BondWELL – Strengthening relationships with loved ones at Imbiah

Strong relationships with loved ones are key to one’s overall wellbeing, and activities at BondWELL will enable guests to immerse themselves in the welcoming environment and reconnect with loved ones. Stroll through the verdant surroundings of the Imbiah Trail, recharge through the healing and sensorial qualities of the forest via the Therapeutic Forest Walk @ Imbiah Trail, while gaining a deeper appreciation of the natural surroundings. Additionally, guests can ‘digitally detox’ from their devices and reconnect with family and friends through nostalgic and tradition games such as five-stones, pick-up sticks at the Imbiah Forecourt located just outside of Madame Tussauds Singapore.

Reconnect with your loved ones at the Discovery Walk as you explore the lesser-known parts of Sentosa

Return of popular experiences from 2022 (PlayWELL, EatWELL, and RestWELL)

Building on the positive guest feedback and encouraging participation in the inaugural edition, the key pillars of physical wellness (PlayWELL), healthy eating (EatWELL), and mindful resting (RestWELL) will return.

Fitness and mindfulness come together in these curated experiences designed to bring guests closer to their own physical wellbeing goals. One example is the enhanced True Fitness Hour, in partnership with True Fitness, where workout buffs can register for sessions with yoga instructor Yenny Christine and pick up tips to enhance their spinal flexibility, or learn about calisthenics from celebrity coach Jacob Manning. Other True Fitness Hour sessions include Fight Do, a high-intensity class combining boxing and martial arts, as well as KPopX Fitness and Zumba.

*Register for the True Fitness Hour workouts with Yenny Christine (left) and Jacob Manning (right) among other exhilarating classes*

For those looking to take their workouts up a notch, sign up for classes such as Silent Kickboxing, a workout session wit music and vocals beamed directly to an individual’s headset, Beach Pop Cycle, an energetic cycling session with a groovy upbeat soundtrack, or WeBarre Stretch & Technique, a mix of floor Barre moves to achieve deep, active stretches.

Challenge one’s physical fitness at the PlayWELL workouts such as Silent Kickboxing, Beach Pop Cycle, WeBarre Stretch & Technique, and more

Meanwhile, families can also register for another fun walk, Pa Pa Zou, on 2 July, a community initiative founded by Jack Neo that aims to inspire Singaporeans to embrace an active lifestyle by walking alongside local artistes and celebrities.

Discover the art of living well all around Sentosa

Further exemplifying the holistic One Sentosa experience, there will also be a range of health and wellness offerings by businesses on Sentosa as well as event partners and collaborators during this period. These include:

Wellness staycation programmes coupled with healthy meal options at participating hotels Capella Singapore, Oasia Resort Sentosa, Resorts World Sentosa hotels, Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa, Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort and Spa, and W Singapore – Sentosa Cove.
Healthier menu choices at eateries such as Rumours Beach Club, Siloso Beach Resort, as well as eateries at Quayside Isle, and more.
Family bonding packages at attractions such as Madame Tussauds Singapore, Scentopia, Singapore Cable Car, SkyHelix Sentosa, Skypark Sentosa by AJ Hackett, among others.
Yoga sessions in the “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” at Resorts World Sentosa.

Tickets for activities and experiences at Zentosa LiveWELL Festival Village are priced at either $10 or $15 per session and will go on sale from Thu 18 May onwards. Sentosa Islander members can also enjoy a 20% discount off their bookings. For more information about Zentosa LiveWELL Festival 2023, please visit https://zentosafest.sentosa.com.sg

L’Étape Malaysia By Tour De France Returns To Desaru Coast

Team JustRunLah!

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May 11, 2023

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L’Étape Malaysia By Tour De France Returns To Desaru Coast

Organizers fulfill promise to send last year’s winners and a Johor-born cyclist to the prestigious L’Étape Du Tour de France, held in Annemasse, France
This second edition features new upgrades including an advanced timing chip and a separate race-course for THE RACE (140km) & THE RIDE (60km) and a dedicated ELITE Category

JOHOR BAHRU, 10 MAY 2023 – After a successful debut in Malaysia last year, L’Étape Malaysia is back with a host of latest upgrades to give cycling enthusiasts a big mission to fulfill when the Tour De France race model gets underway from July 7-8 at the sun-kissed shores of Desaru Coast.

Dubbed “The World’s Greatest Amateur Cycling Event”, L’Étape by Tour de France is the only cyclosportive series that gives amateur cyclists the opportunity to truly live the Tour de France experience where they will race like a Tour de France participant.

Last year’s participation drew a total of 4,700 participants, making L’Étape Malaysia to be officially recognized as the world’s second largest L’Étape by Tour de France.

L’Étape has been organised in more than 20 countries including Malaysia, and for this edition alone over 2,500 participants have signed up so far, with organizers confident of securing 4,000 entries before the closing date of 9 June 2023.

Like last year, L’Étape Malaysia will consist of fiveracing categories. They include THE RACE (140km) and THE RIDE (60km) made up of individual men and women, as well as the Men’s Team (5 men) and Women’s Team (5 women).

This year’s edition will also see the introduction of the ELITE Category, a limited category that is dedicated exclusively to participants who want to challenge like the pros.

A professional race services will be provided for this category, including dedicated mobile feeding, professional timing chip, dedicated traffic and logistics support, dedicated neutral services and much more.

Not one to sit on their laurels despite a good turnout last year, the co-organizers MUSE Group Asia and KPRJ Sports have noted feedbacks from the last year’s participants and pledged to stage a more comprehensive spectacle.

One key implementation this year is the introduction of an advanced timing chip technology, in a move to ensure the participants’ precise finishing time upon crossing the finish line.

The 2023 L’Étape Malaysia will also feature an improved technical team to drive enhanced performances from the racers. Cyclomotion – the leading technical provider for amateur racing, will form part of the L’Étape Malaysia technical crew, which means a bigger race technical team from troubleshooting to performance related assistance.

Racers can also expect a different challenge this year with a new route introduced at the long, shaded course of Desaru Coast. The 60km and 140km race routes will be separated so that they do not overlap, allowing cyclists to put their full focus on finishing with their best personal time. While having separate routes would cost the organizers more due to more route collaterals, it is a small price to pay compared to the racing convenience and overall experience for the participants.

This is backed up with a big support from the local authorities, including sufficient traffic personnel to ensure the race flow is smooth from start to finish. To reduce the risks of accidents, the water and aid stations will no longer be stationed by the road shoulder, rather it would be transformed into an “R&R” pitstop for participants to stop and fuel up.

The “R&R” would have its own space, meaning cyclists would have to turn away from the racecourse for their break, and this ultimately decreases the possibility of a pile-up, especially amongst first-timers who are not accustomed to water station stops.

A comprehensive race e-guide, including safety instructions would also be distributed before the race. These will be sent to the registered racers, and a short instructional video would also be available prior to race day.

To further prepare for race week, there will also be an eight-week L’Étape Cycling Clinic powered by aminoVITAL® where studio trainers train alongside interested participants. AminoVITAL® is a sport drink that contains 3,000mg of amino acids with mainly Branched Chain Amino Acids, that helps in energy boosting, muscle endurance and muscle recovery.

Helping athletes carve out a successful career is also one of the objectives of L’Étape, which is set to be fulfilled through last year’s male champion Elmi Juhari and female winner Yeong Zhen Yi who will participate at the L’Étape Du Tour de France along with another Johor-born cyclist, Heng Zi Hen.

The Johor-born representation comes as a testament to the growth of road cycling in the state, and L’Étape Malaysia is giving a dream opportunity for this individual to participate at the prestigious L’Étape du Tour in France. The L’Étape du Tour de France is a mass cycling event happening the same week as L’Étape Johor.

Elmi, Yeong, and Heng are set for the ultimate experience of competing at the highest level in ‘Wave 0’, which is a starting group composed of all the winners from L’Étape races across the globe.

MUSE Group Asia is proud to fulfill its promise of sending these three representatives to the L’Étape Du Tour de France, and are confident the introduction of the latest technology and safety features would set this event apart from last year.

“We wanted these selected cyclists’ to experience the best of L’Étape, and we are honoured to send them to the prestigious L’Étape Du Tour de France. We have worked hard to ensure that the participants’ get an enriching overall experience, especially when it comes to their safety and race timing. We want them to be able to go out there and give their best with a peace of mind, and we will strive to make that happen,” said Riduwan Matni, CEO of Muse Group Asia.

Yang Berhormat Tuan Hairi bin Mad Shah, Chairman of the Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development, Cooperatives and Human Resources, was happy to welcome this international event to the Southern state once again.

“Hosting L’Étape Malaysia last year went some way to reinforcing the event on the global map. With a diverse participation from more than 40 countries this year, we are certain that Johor will also benefit immensely from the domestic tourism boost as we welcome them to experience our various attractions. Sending the Johor-born cyclist to the L’Étape Du Tour de France is also a testament to Johor’s commitment to sports development to continue unearthing new talents. We look forward to working together with all the stakeholders to make this another successful event,” he said.

For that, KPRJ would be working in tandem with Muse Group Asia to ensure the racers expectations are met.“Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor Sdn Bhd (“KPRJ”) through its subsidiary, KPRJ Sports Sdn Bhd (“KSSB”) believes for this second year of organising the event, we will deliver the best racing experience for our participants, and it is evident through the latest introductions for this year’s event. We encourage every budding cyclist out there to come and be part of this premium global cycling event,” said Yang Berhormat Dato’ Lukman bin Abu Bakar, Chief Executive Officer of KPRJ.

Ambassador of France to Malaysia His Excellency Axel Cruau was looking forward to everyone converging yet again for this iconic event. “Since 1903, Le Tour de France has been so much more than a cycling race! It is a competition that tests the human limits, and yet that everyone can relate to. It takes place in the unique landscapes of France, and yet it is a show that the whole world can enjoy. It is a part of our national heritage that this year we are thrilled to share in Johor with our Malaysian friends,” he said.

“Chek Hup has been the official beverage sponsor – Coffee, Tea & Chocolate of this iconic cycling event for two consecutive years now. We are thrilled to be part of the cycling community once again, and to play our part by serving chilled and refreshing Kokoo Peppermint Chocolate Drink as an energy fuel to help the riders give their best performances. By constantly beholding the core principle of ‘We Value Life’, Chek Hup ensures that its beverages are all natural without any additives or artificial flavourings,” said Joseph Tan, Group Managing Director of Chek Hup.

Roslina Arbak, Chief Executive Officer of Desaru Development Holdings One Sdn. Bhd., master developer and operator of Desaru Coast, said, “As an international destination, we are once again extremely proud and happy to be chosen as the official venue of L’Étape by Tour de France in Malaysia. This year, we are pleased to have Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast join in as the Official Hotel for the event.”

“Venue hosting L’Étape Johor has become a Desaru Coast showcase to more international sporting events. As one of the biggest cycling tournaments in the world, hosting L’Étape by Tour de France has not only benefited our destination, it has brought a wider gain to the greater Desaru community. For this reason, Desaru Coast is committed to its longstanding support to Johor state in making Johor a hub for sports tourism in the country. We hope to continue making Desaru Coast the home to L’Étape Malaysia in the years to come,” said Roslina.

For more information including the race routes, accommodation ideas, and other FAQs, go to www.letapemalaysia.com / www.facebook.com/letapemalaysia / www.instagram.com/letapemalaysia / www.tiktok.com/@letapemalaysia

PTO Asian Open in Singapore: Race First Class

Team JustRunLah!

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May 8, 2023

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PTO Asian Open in Singapore: Race First Class

As part of the Professional Triathletes Organisation’s (PTO) continued expansion, the PTO Asian Open Duathlon will be held in Singapore on 20th August 2023.

An international duathlon event will take place in a groundbreaking race course along the Marina Bay Financial District as part of a multi-year partnership between the PTO, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Sport Singapore. Spectators will be blessed with the opportunity to cheer their athlete multiple times each leg, while enjoying the festival activities and food and beverages. Bring the whole family and friends for an unforgettable weekend in a truly stunning location.

Commenting on the news, Sam Renouf, CEO of the PTO, said:

“When we were planning the first PTO Asian Open, the opportunity to stage the event in Singapore and seeing the world’s best triathletes race around the iconic Marina Bay was something that made sense on many levels. It is important that the PTO Tour goes to different continents, different kinds of courses and different climates – that will enable us to see who really is the greatest endurance athlete on the planet. Singapore will be a great destination as well as a great race venue.”

The PTO Asian Open will also offer exciting opportunities for amateur duathletes and sports enthusiasts to participate in this iconic event, with a variety of age-group races over the weekend. Amateurs will have the opportunity to compete on the same course seen on the global broadcast of top athletes. Starting with a run along Marina Bay and the famous Gardens by the Bay, the participants will embark on a spectacular bike ride through the city center.

The two Duathlons will take place over two distances: a standard 4.5km Run/32km Bike/4.5km Run and a longer distance 9km Run/64km Bike/9km Run; both races have an individual or relay option that consists of 2 to 3 participants, including one cyclist.

The full list of course details for the Duathlon professional and experienced amateur PTO Asian Open races is available here and includes:

Run 1

The first run is on a flat surface, offering the most picturesque view of Singapore’s iconic skyline. Competitors in the Standard Duathlon will complete one 4.5km lap, while those in the Long Duathlon will complete two laps for a total of 9km.

Runners will be able to fuel up and hydrate at two aid stations per 4.5km lap. After running Run 1, you will arrive at transition, where you will prepare for the bike course.

The Bike

There is a closed city circuit route that starts and finishes at Marina Bay during the bike course. The fast course is mostly flat and on smooth tarmac with low rolling resistance. This course is unique because of its location – in the middle of the city with stunning views of Marina Bay and the city skyline.

Additionally, aid stations will be located along the bike route, where you can replenish energy and hydration.

Run 2

After cycling, you’ll have a chance to test your run strength again with one 4.5km lap for Standard Duathlon competitors and two 4.5km laps for Long Duathlon competitors. The second run follows the same route as the first – a flat, paved surface for blistering pace and a stunning view of Singapore’s iconic skyline.

Fuel and hydration will be available at two aid stations per 4.5km lap. As you finish Run 2, you’ll be rewarded with a grandstand finish fit for world-class athletes!

PTO Tour is also partnering with Warner Bros. to broadcast live the first-ever Asian Open to 170+ territories worldwide.

Join the race!

Become a part of the next chapter of triathlon history by signing up for the PTO Asian Open Duathlon today and enjoy early bird discounts till the 24th of May!

Click here for more information about PTO Asian Open!

Hiking at Bukit Payung (30 April 2023)

stargazer

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May 4, 2023

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On 30^th April, Nee Soon East organized a hiking trip to Bukit Payung, which is located near Yong Peng town at Batu Pahat, Malaysia. It takes approximately 2 hrs to reach Bukit Payung from Johor Customs. Although stands at only 258 m, Bukit Payung offers excellent views of the surrounding terrains and towns.

Bukit Payung has a 10 km trail that is connected to 4 other hills: Bukit Bandkuit, Bukit Alam, Bukit Botak & Bukit Berdiri. The trail has been described as beginner friendly, but it will require considerable fitness if you plan to complete hiking all 5 hills within the same day.

Due to time constraints, the organizers decided to hike only Bukit Botak and Bukit Berdiri.

My friend LC accompanied me on this trip.

Departure to Malaysia

Participants reported at Nee Soon East Community Centre at 6 am morning. There were around 70 of us, including Mr. Louis Ng, Member of Parliament for Nee Soon East. It was a long weekend but thankfully, the traffic was smooth at Tuas 2^nd Link and clearing the customs at both countries was a breeze.

Our Malaysian tour guide joined us after we cleared the Malaysia customs and brought us to nearby town for breakfast before moving on to Ming Ang Restaurant at Yong Peng town. This is a popular stop-over for coaches, where travellers are able to purchase food and local snacks.

After some rest, we journeyed for another hour to the trail head at Bukit Botak. Note that there are some hills in Malaysia also named Bukit Botak (e.g. in Sabah). Hence it is important to clarify which hill we hiked when we are sharing our exploits.

The team of hikers was split into 7 groups and a local guide was assigned to each group. Safety briefing was conducted and we took a group photo before we commenced our hike.

After a short walk of 300 m through the oil palm plantation, we came to the first slope to begin our ascent. While most of the slopes were gradual, there were steep ones which we had to carefully negotiate. Ropes were installed in some areas to assist in the climbing.

It didn’t take long before we reached the summits and were rewarded with the splendid scenery.

We descended back to the start point and once all hikers were accounted for, we returned to the stopover at Yong Peng for rest. It began to rain heavily and we were thankful that the downpour did not occur during the hike.

Return to Singapore

It was another 1.5 hours on the road before we arrived for dinner at De’Atom Dining Restaurant (@Jalan Sentral 24). The organizers took this opportunity for a group celebration with participants whose birthdays fall in the months of April and May.

The journey back to Singapore was smooth, without any traffic or customs delays and we reached Nee Soon East Community Centre at 9.30 pm.

After-Thoughts

I think this trip was well organized. Also, the price we paid for this event, which may be partly subsidized, was affordable compared to commercial hiking groups selling the same destination.

In addition, Bukit Payung does offer excellent scenery, even though it stands at less than 300 m. The summit view is comparable to that of Mount Ophir and Mount Datuk, both of which I had hiked some years back. This probably makes it more worthwhile to visit, considering it is an easier hike and at the same time, not too distant from Singapore.

Lastly, it seems there are lack of markers in the trails. Or I may have missed them during the hike? In any case, since this is a 5 peaks challenge, it would be good to have signages to provide directions to each peak. Perhaps there already are.

Experience a FUN-tastic Weekend with Your Kids at Cold Storage & Giant Kids Run 2023

Team JustRunLah!

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May 3, 2023

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Experience a FUN-tastic Weekend with Your Kids at Cold Storage & Giant Kids Run 2023

Are you looking for ways to encourage your child to run competitively or as a stepping stone for first-time runners? There is no better running event for young runners than the Cold Storage X Giant Kids Run 2023!

The Cold Storage and Giant Kids Run not only provide seasoned child runners with a chance to expose themselves to competition – but also serve as a stepping stone for first-time runners, introducing them to the world of healthy and active living. The 2023 edition of the run will also be accompanied by other fringe activities to help the kids unlock their potential. Who knows, they might pick up a new hobby or two!