This morning runners gathered together for the CSC Run By The Bay 2015, organized by the Civil Service Club. It is a key event in the Public Service STAR Games Calendar, which aims at promoting a healthy lifestyle amongst public officers and the community at large. [ot-video type=”youtube” url=”rOQk6CZLEbU”]
Interview with Singapore’s First Full-Time Triathlete: Choo Ling Er
The Ironman World Championship 2015 concluded last month on 10 October 2015. Homegrown triathlete Choo Ling Er was the only Singaporean to qualify and competed in the World Championship twice, where she achieved her personal best in crossing the line within 11.00.53hrs. We had an inspiring chat with Ling Er about her triathlon journey and how she keeps pushing on for her passion in sports.
JustRunLah!: How will you introduce yourself to Singapore running and fitness community?
Ling Er: Hello! My Name is Choo Ling Er and I am the first full-time triathlete in Singapore. I am a very simple girl trying to chase a not so simple dream of being the first Singaporean to ever stand on the podium of the super prestigious, Ironman World Championships.
JustRunLah!: When did you first pick up triathlon (what age) and what inspired you to do so?
Ling Er: I picked up Triathlon during my Poly Days. I was on the school track & field team at that point of time when I picked up planta fasciitis . I had to lay off running and it was during that time, I self taught and learnt swimming. One thing led to another, I soon pick up a bike to ride and once I was cleared of my foot injury, I took part in my first multisports race. The rest as they say, is history.
JustRunLah!: Would you say that one needs to have a certain mind-set to take on IRONMAN races?
Ling Er: To be really honest, I feel that how one approach an Ironman is purely based on the kind of experience and goal you wish to achieve when you cross the line. But determination is certainly key due to the nature of such long hours form of racing. I have seen athletes at the World Championships over the age of 70 years old crossing the finishing line. That sheer determination knowing that they will never be as fast as athletes half their age still did not set them back from finishing the race.
JustRunLah!: Turning professional in 2012. How has this IRONMAN journey been for you?
Ling Er: It’s really flattering to be regularly named ‘Professional’ but I am simply not! Haha! I do not race on the pro circuit nor do I get a salary to pay me to race. I am an age group athlete who is doing this full-time, in hope of turning professional one day. I do get many people asking why not turn pro now. The answer is simple. I am trying the raise the level of racing here in SEA and when I do turn pro, I need to be in shape to be competitive and not just simply finish the race in the pro fields and be contented with the results. I want to be the one to show women out there that we too, deserve to be in the mix with the men’s and can achieve results equally as well as them! ☺
JustRunlah!: What does the word “BELIEVE” meant to you?
Ling Er: I have it tattooed on my right wrist! It’s a reminder to me that even with the adversity I’ve faced in life, if I really set my mind into it. Nothing is impossible to achieve. I’ve broken both my legs and the doctor’s diagnosis was that I will never resume full functional biomechanics. Here I am 4 years later. First Singaporean to ever qualify and finish the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii as of 2015. ☺
JustRunLah!: What is your mantra for when the going gets tough in a race/training?
Ling Er: Mainly due to the set-backs I had to go through before I finally got to where I am today, I’ve never once not look forward to training. I wake up every day, thankful to have been given another chance to do this again and I pledge to do everything I can to make the most out of it. On days when I feel really sore and tired, all I need to do is to think for the 8 months I spent in clutches after breaking both my legs and I will immediately jump out of bed to get changed into my gears to workout!
JustRunLah!: What are your future goals?
Ling Er: Now that I have achieved my short term goal of being the first Singaporean to ever qualify to the Ironman World Championships, my next goal is to make sure I put Singapore’s Flag up on the podium. This is a feat that have never been done before. But I sure am going to give everything I can to try!
JustRunlah!: Any message for Singapore?
Ling Er: Smile and the world will smile back to you! Don’t be too caught up chasing numbers while doing sports. Always remind yourself why you picked up sports in the first place if it wasn’t for the love of it! Love what you do, do what you love and you will never dread a day doing it!
JustRunLah!: One advice for runners training for their marathons? One advice for triathletes training for their IRONMAN races?
Ling Er: I would say that the most important advice I could give is that for both triathlete and marathoners who are looking to do well, engage a coach. A good coach will be able to tell you when to ease off as well as to give you a good kick in the butt when you are not putting in the effort you need to. Not everybody is able to do this full-time like me and having somebody to monitor you takes a whole lot of pressure of training apart from the daily routines of a job and family.
JustRunLah!: One thing most do not know about Ling Er?
Ling Er: It might not come as a big surprise since it was all over the web during the week of the world championships. I was a major in music and worked in the music industry for some time! Complete contrast to what I am doing now!
JustRunLah!: Any particular person to thank?
Ling Er: My family and friends who have been supporting me throughout every race and training that I go through. Every single words of encouragements spurs me to take another step forward in the race.
Not forgetting my fiancé, Alan. This boy has been the pillar of strength behind me and stood by me all this while. Leading up to the world championships, I didn’t have the best of preparation. Having to deal with the mental and emotional aspect of comments made from male counterparts wasn’t the most encouraging. Alan always gets my focus back on track and is committed to me doing well as much as I am to my training and races! On top of that, he is also my Athlete’s Manager and manages all the sponsorship, logistical and budgets. All this while holding a fulltime job that requires him to travel all the time! What more can I ask for in a man!
JustRunLah!: Finish this sentence: Dreams are…
Ling Er: … will only be dreams if you don’t act on it! As long as you act on it, results will flow!
Photo credits: The Studio Loft
Hands-on Review: Sony’s Smart B-Trainer™
We first laid eyes on Sony’s Smart B-Trainer™ at Sports & Fitness Asia 2015 where we were introduced to its neat features. Smart B-Trainer™ is an all-in-one training aid that will help you set a target and monitor your progress. It comes with built-in GPS, heart rate monitor and 16GB of storage for music, allowing you to leave your smartphone behind. What’s more, it comes packed with sensors that track 11 stats. As a big fan of data and technology, I knew that I had to try it out for myself – hence, here is my in-depth, hands-on review for JustRunLah!
Out of the box
Unpacking Smart B-Trainer™, you will find that it comes with a carrying pouch (perfect for bringing it with you on your next vacation), a USB charger / dock and a number of earbuds of different sizes. The device itself looks a bit bulky, but it is very light in weight (just 43g). The rectangular blocks on either side feature the various controls and house the sensors.
Apart from the default in-ear style buds, there are replacements for swimming; yes, this is a fully waterproof device that is not only rainproof or sweatproof, but it is suitable for swimming and being underwater, up to 2.0m deep for 30 minutes. An extra rubber piece accommodates the heart sensor. All these pieces come in several sizes and you should be able to find a good fit for your ear. Do spend some time trying these out, since a good fit will not only greatly improve comfort but also the quality of music playback.

First run: testing the waters
I downloaded and installed the free app (available on iOS and Android) and paired up the device with it. It is a quick and well-guided process. The first thing I looked up online was how to load music to the device. It turned out that I needed to use Sony’s special software. The reason is that the software analyses the tracks for beats per minute to detect your heart rate, and uses the data to select and play songs to guide your running pace, so you train efficiently in your optimum heart rate zone; however, I have to say that a drag-and-drop method would be much more convenient. If you prefer to bring your phone out with you, you can also use Smart B-Trainer™ in “streaming” mode, that is, operate it as a Bluetooth headphone set that will play anything that your phone transmits.
Moving on to the training menu, there are modes for free run, or, you can plan your training based on distance, calories, pace and other goals. A premium training plan, that is training under the guidance of a professional trainer is also available for “MY ASICS” users, in specific countries.

I wanted to start simple so I chose free running mode. The device will start recording at a press of a button. You can check how you are doing at any point of the run, and you can easily skip tracks, pause and adjust the volume. Using the built-in heart rate, accelerometer, GPS, compass, gyroscope and barometer, the device will log heart rate, calories burned, distance, time, stride, speed, pace, cadence, steps, route and elevation.
With all this information, the Smart B-Trainer™ can monitor your performance in real-time and advises you when to slow down or speed up, depending on the workout you have chosen. The tempo of music can also be adjusted according to your heart beat rate.
Post-run data analysis
After completing a run, the logs are transferred wirelessly to the app. All the information are very clearly presented and easily digested. For each run, you will be able to view all data in graph formats; however, only two out of the five data points (pace, heart rate, elevation, stride and cadence) can be simultaneously presented. Maps and photos are also available. You can track your progress by comparing any of the data between your runs and keep a proper running diary.

50 km in – The only device you need
For a device with so many features packed in so little space, it is expected to have a learning curve. In the first few runs, I found it a bit difficult to remember what each button does. Additionally, a couple of times, after pausing when stopping at a traffic light, I forgot to un-pause my training leading to loss of data (a voice reminder could have been implemented to avoid this user-error edit: Sony has just released a firmware update which allows for auto-pausing when you stop running. This is a great addition that should eliminate the aforementioned issue).
After a few runs, I started feeling comfortable enough to leave my smartphone behind. All you have to do is plan your training at home using the app and transfer it to the device. The built-in MP3 player, the accurate GPS and the other sensors will take care of all the rest. Your run data will be downloaded from the device and synced to the app the next time you pair the devices.
The specs say that a full charge will give you 10 hours of battery life, which should be more than enough to finish a marathon; could this be your new gadget for SCMS2015?

Pros
– The all-in-one approach allows for Sony’s Smart B-Trainer™ to be the only device that you need to bring out with you.
– The sound quality is good, and it can be used to either stream whatever is played on your phone, or as a standalone MP3 player.
– After you find the size of earbuds that fits you best, you will almost forget that you are wearing a device while running.
– The device looks and feels durable and rugged. It is fully waterproof and suitable for swimming.
– The voice guidance and music tempo adjustment can give that extra push you might need at some point of your run.
– It tracks anything that you can think of, adding real value to your running diary.
Room for improvement
– Compatibility with other programs and services (eg. iTunes or Spotify) to simplify the music loading process. Likewise, it would be great if data could be synced with other tracking services (eg. Sports-Tracker.com, Strava, etc).
– At S$399 this is not the cheapest device. Considering all the unique features that you get, the price might be justified. However, you might end up not using or needing everything the device offers; with that in mind, I would like to see a “light” version which includes lesser features and is more affordable.
The verdict
I believe that smart devices and apps do help and motivate you to run more. For that reason alone, I think that you should consider adding them to your running routine.
Sony’s Smart B-Trainer™ is such a device. It comes with a number of features you won’t find anywhere else, and ought to cover all your running needs. Getting one should be seen as an investment, which I think will pay off with time.
In Singapore, Sony’s Smart B-Trainer™ is retailing at a recommended price of S$399, in five colours (yellow, white, blue, pink, and black) and is available at all Sony Stores, Sony Centres and selected Sony authorised dealers.
Click here for more information on Sony’s Smart B-Trainer™ SSE-BTR1.
* Disclaimer: This review represents the genuine, unbiased views of the author. The author was provided with a free unit. SONY’s products have been and might currently be advertised on JustRunLah! via different channels.
10 Golden Rules of Running (Part II)
6. Take Recovery Days Seriously
The day after a tough workout, the most you want to do is jog lightly or do some form of cross-training, like cycling. You need a recovery day after a hard day. No exceptions. Constantly pushing your body will only result in compromising your body.
7. Strengthen Your Whole Body
Good runners condition their whole bodies. The arms drive the legs. Keep your upper body and core toned with a lot of push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and back raises (don’t forget that the back is part of the core). Exercises like pilates, climbing, and dynamic flexibility work like yoga can help build your supporting muscles and allow you to run better and faster.
8. Get More Sleep
As runners, we need more sleep than the average person. When you train hard, sleeping gives your muscles time to rest. When we sleep, our body releases growth hormone. This is what stimulates muscle growth and repair, as well as bone building and fat burning. It enables you to run again another day.
9. No Food In 2 Hours
Wait for about two hours after a meal before running.
Two hours is the average time for food to empty from the stomach. If you don’t wait long enough, food will not be properly digested, raising the risk of abdominal cramps, bloating, and even vomiting. Try to stick with familiar food that works for your body too.
10. Wear The Right Running Shoes
The second most common cause of injuries, next to running too much on hard surfaces, is foot pronation and shoe instability. Choose a pair of shoes that is lightweight and yet offers the support you need. Also, replace your running shoes once they’ve covered 400 to 500 miles.
10 Golden Rules of Running (Part I)
1. Greet Other Runners
Everyone likes a cheery face! Running with a smiling face may also allow you to feel happier and let you enjoy your run more. Besides, it’s nice to be friendly, isn’t it?
2. Keep Running Lighthearted
We understand: running is serious business. But whether you’re training for an ultra marathon or just trying to plan your evening run, running is your hobby after all. Running is life, but life is not all about running. Keep a balance, and enjoy the other aspects of life too. Let’s keep running fun!
3. Run Safe
Stick to some sensible safety rules when it comes to running: don’t wear earphones in busy traffic, wear reflective clothing when it is dark, run on the correct side of the road and always tell someone where you’re going.
4. Tackle Your Doubts
At some point you’re going to push yourself harder, you’re going to enter into a gray area that can be painful, and you’re going to doubt yourself. Push through it. Never think you are mentally weak.
5. Have A Consistent Training Plan
Find a training plan that you can stick to long-term. By repeating workouts week to week you will be able to see progress and work to get better with each training session.
Can Yoga Slim Us Down?
We have seen the rise in popularity of yoga in the last decade — this ancient discipline from India has now become one of the most popular fitness regime throughout the world. Mainstream media and social media platforms often portray women flaunting their impressive yoga poses with their slim and toned body. This gives the impression that people can practice yoga to achieve that strong, toned and flexible body. In fact, many ladies may have signed up for yoga just to slim down.
But, is it true that yoga can slim us down?
What is yoga?
The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit root “yuj”, which means “to yoke” the spirit and physical body together. While many believe yoga to be a form of exercise, some yoga masters may tell you otherwise, and that yoga is in fact a therapy tool for your body and mind. While the main objective of the discipline is spiritual wellbeing, yoga also comes with numerous other health benefits that far surpass the advantages of your regular aerobic workout.

What are the benefits of yoga?
Yoga has been shown to offer both physical and mental benefits to the body and the mind. On top of reducing stress, yoga can lower heart rate and blood pressure; help relieve anxiety, depression, and insomnia; and improve overall physical fitness, strength, and flexibility. Yoga has been shown to help fight everything from addiction and lower back pain to diabetes and aging, in addition to boosting overall well-being. With so many benefits, some may even say that yoga is a panacea for the ailments of modern society.
An 8-week study have shown that their subjects’ muscular strength had increased by as much as 31 percent, muscular endurance by 57 percent, flexibility by as much as 188 percent, and VO2max by 7 percent. The subjects attended yoga lessons four sessions each week, consisting of 10 minutes of pranayama, 15 minutes of warm-up exercises, 50 minutes of asanas, and 10 minutes of meditation. Other studies have also shown that yoga can increase lung capacity of participants, even for athletes who thought that they have reached their maximum from their athletic training.
Can yoga slim us down?
Let’s face the truth: yoga doesn’t burn calories like a good hour-long cardio session, not even power yoga, where you feel like you’re sweating away your insides. On the other hand, de-stressing through yoga helps reduce the release of cortisol, the famous stress hormone, which triggers fat storage. For people who want to slim down and achieve those six abs, the most effective way is to combine your cardio workouts with yoga. The benefits of yoga can enhance the effects of your workouts and help you attain the ideal weight you are working towards to. Furthermore, regular yoga practice can help loosen muscles tightened by inactivity, tension and stress, and help us move better and run better.

Get strong and healthy with an all-rounded workout
For people who want to keep a healthy and strong body, yoga can be enough for them. But it is not the one-stop solution to slimming down or becoming a strong athlete. Yoga may have many benefits for our health and wellbeing, but it is not a miracle discipline and should be practised as a complement to other exercises to maximise the physical benefits for our body. In fact, most fitness enthusiasts who practice yoga regularly also prefer to include some form of cardio exercise in their fitness regime – be it brisk walking, jogging, swimming or cycling.
As yoga comes in a variety of forms, if you want to become and stay physically and mentally fit, make sure your yoga practice includes a balance of poses that build strength, stamina, and flexibility, along with breathwork and meditation to help develop body awareness.
Cover photo credits: http://www.kpfit.club/
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Race Review: Trifactor Triathlon 2015 (by ‘red3’)
This blog may be a few months late but it really needs to be written for posterity. You know, one of those days when most of us Team Costa members have dispersed to other corners of the world and we’ll want to reminisce about those good old days in Singapore. We’re not just amateur athletes training and racing together; we’re friends, we live in the same condo and we party very well together with plenty of poolside encounters.
We’re also a very diverse group representing: Australia, South Africa, Canada, Netherlands, United States, Wales, Ireland, England and New Zealand. Ok so really with the exception of Netherlands we are basically English speaking countries of some kind but we did cover 4 continents.
What makes this event really special out of all the races we’ve participated in is that it is the largest participation by Team Costa in one event. We covered all the categories from Freshmen x 8pax to Sprint x 2pax to Standard x 1pax.
Freshmen Category [200m swim, 12k cycle, 2k run]
The race itself wasn’t a piece of cake though. The Freshmen swim was a mere 200m. The course was in a kinda rectangular layout measuring 100m which meant we had to exit the sea and run along the sand to re-enter down the other end. That would typically be ok but this time the sea was so incredibly uncooperative with extremely choppy water and shallow depth for the longest stretch of the course (we could put our feet down if we got tired in the middle of the swim) that the entry point meant that we had to run pretty much to the first buoy and only started swimming after the turning point.
Quite honestly, I was stuffed by the time I came out. Like my fellow Costans it felt like we did battle with the sea and the sea won. Bedraggled and crawling out of the water I made my way to the bike racks for the next leg of the triathlon and I could’ve done with a coffee break to recover from the swim. Michelle on the other hand was like a machine, just powered through the transition area and just simply disappeared. I think I was barely getting into the run phase of the race and she was already finished. I think she had the coffee break waiting for me to finish the race.
When I consider that I got overtaken on the bike by Caitriona, Maree, Avni and Cindy and three of those ladies have only just completed the Singapore International Triathlon the month before. Really they should call me the ‘sloth’. If I was any slower, I’d be parking. Gotta see the humour in this. A garden snail could’ve overtaken me.
Anyway, these ladies were amazing. With extremely limited triathlon training and for some no training at all, they topped the charts. For the Freshmen female open category (28 participants) Michelle took 1st place, followed by Caitriona in 5th, Maree 7th, Avni 8th and Cindy 10th.
I’m grateful I was old enough to get into the vet category so I have my own class and managed to come in 6/10. I survived the bike (just) but for that run, all of 2km. You know you ain’t got it when you keep getting overtaken by senior citizens and what’s worse coming in last amongst your friends, they band together at the sideline and shout and holler “woohoo!!”, that you know everyone is watching and I just wanted a mighty big hole to open up and swallow me whole.
As for the Freshmen boys well John made leaps and bounds from his last experience the year before, where I’m sure he broke the world’s longest transition between the swim and bike by taking just over 7min. He made a marked improvement this year by transitioning within 4min. I wonder if that’s due to the flack he’s been getting from his mates for the last 12 months, since no one has forgotten yet. Overall he did ok. Came in 35/91 but couldn’t expect much when he was just winging it.
Michiel on the other hand, whilst he placed 27, it was not a bad effort for a first timer. Michiel is a swimmer by nature and I suspect the unappealing element of the swim phase didn’t impress much. The cycling and running were just part of the game. Perhaps the Trifactor Swim race would be a great challenge for him next year. Let’s see.
Sprint Category [750m swim, 18k cycle, 5k run]
Moving onto the Sprint category we have newbies Paul and Ian. Ian is a fitness afficionado. With a triathlon and several runs in the UK under his belt, he’s no stranger to competition. This triathlon was his Singaporean debut and I’d say the humidity may have played some havoc but not enough to deter him from coming in at 12%. Now, I remember him being hard on himself but he went straight into a Sprint when most of us have to get out of Freshmen. I say thumbs up for an awesome effort.
Now Paul, this is one man who doesn’t just live life, he absorbs it whole. He does one mini-triathlon the month before and says that’s just too boring, too easy (sigh, I wish, I barely survive them) need some grunt if he’s gonna bother getting out of bed to race, so what’s he do. Goes straight into a Sprint triathlon. The swim goes from 200m to 750m, the bike from 12km to 18km and the run from 2km to 5km. With a busy schedule, four kids and an abudance of living, I’ve no idea where he fitted in the training (if any); but check it, he still wings it and makes it into the 30% percentile. Next year it’s the Standard for you my friend.
Standard Category [1.5k swim, 36k cycle, 10k run]
And this brings me to our hero of the hour. Stanislav is a consistent trainer. It first began with running and training for marathons. Somewhere in the last couple of years he discovered cycling and with regular round-the-island trips, a couple of gran fondo tours, bi-weekly 50km round trips and he’s never looked back. Just one small hiccup and that’s the swimming. His least favorite but one that he needs if he’s going to do a Standard in the Trifactor where the swim is 1.5km. Stan was the only crazy who went all the way to Standard and came out on top. With over 500 participants he topped it at 23%. That experience incensed him further by registering with is buddy Chris for the Laguna Phuket Triathlon in November consisting of 1.8K swim (in open ocean), 55K bike (across two major hills) and 12K run. Of course the haze hasn’t helped with the training, so I say good luck, cause you’ll need it.
The triathlon concluded the Trifactor Series and Michelle, John and I were the only participants who completed all of the races in this series. As a bonus we received a display case to store our finisher medals along with a personalized plaque. To add to our overall experience Michelle adds a 3rd place in the 35km Bike event (F-Open Cat) as for myself, I took 2nd place in the 500m Swim and 1st place in 21km Bike event (both F-Vet Cat).
On a final word, Team Costa is made up of a group of amateur athletes with families, commitments and other interests; the races are mostly for fun with some elements of seriousness but not too much. It gives us objectives to train towards and keep fit; and it ensures we don’t get too bogged down with the daily grind.
Cheers
Race Review: Ubin Wayfinder 2015 (by Shereen)
What? An orienteering race.
When? 1 November 2015.
Where? Pulau Ubin.
How? With a map on hand and a compass, you and your team navigate through forestry in search on checkpoints.
Why?

Osportz wanted this race to introduce orienteering as a sport and as a way for people to bond. With just a compass and no water points in sight for a couple of miles, the routes to take and the checkpoint positions made the race more challenging than I expected. Especially for the less outdoorsy ones, it makes a good step out of your comfort zone. The race provided a meaningful platform for people to work together, show support and push limits.
Set at the last remaining ‘kampong’ in Singapore, the race is the perfect opportunity to explore the less-trodden paths of the area. The checkpoints bring you to must-see sites at Ubin, and the start pen is located right at the heart of the village.
When the Wayfinder series reappears in 2016, this review would hopefully give a good gauge of what to expect and how next year’s version might have outshone its predecessor.
Race Pack Collection (Rating: 10/10)
Delivered right to your doorstep, a good few days before the race. The t-shirts and race bibs for your team packaged neatly to arrive safely at your doorstep. Save the queue; I definitely want them to keep this service next year.
Race Day (Rating: 9/10)
The baggage deposit was one of the quickest. Allergic to long queues and tiresome waiting, I avoid depositing any baggage like a plague. With Ubin Wayfinder, you and your team members’ bags are wrapped up in one huge waterproof bag. One of your team members’ bib would be tagged. It took a grand total of 5 mins. When you return to pick up your bag, just one person needs to be present.
Flag-off was team-by-team. There wasn’t an entire barrage of people going at once. Indeed, you lose the exhilaration of marching onward with your band of runners and rubbing shoulder to shoulder with the person beside you; but you definitely have the space to huddle with your team and plan your route. I liked that since this race is focused on the orienteering sport and teamwork.
The pre- and post-race events were similar. There was a stage, simple photobooth and a DJ playing tunes at the background. It was terribly hyped up. Most of us wandered around with our bananas and energy drink after the event, rather aimlessly. The village was coming to life by that time so there was a bit of activity to witness as we walked back to the pier.

I liked the finisher goodie bag, the medal was beautifully designed and not being a huge fan of carnivals, I quite enjoyed the simplicity of the setting.
Shout out to Organizing Team
This is a special shout out to the team on the ground that day. They exuded energy and really infected us with their passion for exploratory races. Throughout the race, there were volunteers and photographers at various checkpoints who enthusiastically cheered us on.
The Wayfinder series is definitely a must-try at least once.
How much are your races costing you?
Now, let’s take a vote. How much have you spent on races this year?
Race fees alone are expensive, approximating at $50. Those really good ones like the Standard Chartered Marathon can go up to $90 or $100 (and that’s already the special rate for residents). Above that, we need to consider the transport fees expended when we wake up (usually too late) to reach the destination. Or, those extra time spent queueing for a race pack for singlets that more often than not don’t fit.
And to think running was always considered a simple sport, one that anyone can pick up. No matter how amateur, no matter how busy. After all, shouldn’t it just require a pair of good running shoes and a trail long enough so you don’t have to repeat it more than 6 times (which is what we’ve been trained for since NAPFA came into play)?
Holding firm in this belief, it is unsurprising that I do lament about “wasting” too much time, money and effort on official races. So in this state of mind, I reflect on the reasons we runners may have for signing up for a race. Ultimately, if you know what you’re asking for and got what you asked for, the decision really shouldn’t be relegated to a regret.
Here’s my top five.
#1 The lead-up training
In my last post, I mentioned that my milestones as a runner included doing my first 21km and my first time beating my personal best. Every new race we sign up for is reinvigorating because it’s a new chance to raise the bar for yourself, to celebrate new accomplishments. It starts from that instant you click “Pay Now” and mentally resolve to religiously follow your training regime for the next couple of weeks. There’s a goal now and while it’s excruciatingly cliche to hear once again about how it’s the journey that matters, you’d be encouraged in these lead-up trainings as you witness yourself growing stronger and more resilient.
#2 The motivation of the race organisers
Source: My favorite image of GEWR from Ah Girl
Upcoming next is CSC Run by the Bay, a key event on the Public Service STAR Games Calendar. Their aim? To promote an active lifestyle among public servants. Another race just over is the Great Eastern Women’s Run. The aim? To make running accessible to women from all walks of life. When you find yourself aligning with their motivation, you’d want to be that one out of thousands to put in your vote for them. You sign up.
#3 Type of race
The most stark example is from the recent Ubin Wayfinder. It was borne out of the desire to grow orienteering as a sport and as a means to band people together. For the least outdoorsy, with just a map at hand and no water points, Osportz were true to their mission. Above all, the route brings you around the must-see places of Pulau Ubin. It was a meaningful alternative to the just running and just round the usual Nicoll Highway, F1 race pit or around the outskirts of Gardens by the Bay. There are other fancy races, in which they throw colored goos at you or get ferociously masked facilitators to chase after you. It’s all about preferences.
#4 Race Route
The Rail Corridor Run would be a prime example of an interesting race route. It covers the railway routes close to our heritage, from Bukit Timah Railway Station to Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. Even for races with commonly covered routes, I am the kind who’d scrutinize the map to make sure they aren’t repeated for some 5km or along paths flanked by forestry. The route riding the sides of the Marina Bay Golf Course is always dreaded.
Source: CSC Run by the Bay Route Map
I quite like the route I’m seeing here for the CSC Run by the Bay, even if the Marina Bay Golf Course. It’s a pretty common route. Do tell me what you think about this route or if any one of you are going for this race too!
#5 Post-run breakfast
When I sign up for runs, I sign my family up for them together. So the prized outcome of these races is when everyone’s faces gleam with pride and satisfaction, and we gather around the table of a nearby hawker centre for good ol’ kaya toast and a cup of kopi-kosong. We all run for a reason.
One of my many is that these races are a reason for my family to group together on a weekend morning before the busy day lays out ahead. You might have started running because your father said it’s time to rid yourself of that tummy, or you ran the race because your friends begged you to join them. Either way, the post-run breakfast lets you bathe in the delight of committing to and finishing something.
Being a student from an average family, I’m conservative about my selection. I run certain races for specific reasons; and if I’ve got the experience I paid for (within budget, of course), I’d say it’s a worthwhile cost.
Think about it. What’s the cost of your running?
Race Review: Great Eastern Women’s Run 2015 – 10th Year Anniversary (by ‘red3’ / Team Costa)
From humble beginnings of a mere 3,000 participants, the 2015 Great Eastern Women’s Run (GEWR) celebrates its 10th year anniversary with a participation of 17,000 women. One of the largest races in Singapore it draws women young and old, local and foreign across three major categories: half marathon, 10km and 5km.
My debut in the GEWR was in 2014 as a running greenhorn with only three months experience under my belt. Whilst I completed a 10km run back then, this year I settled on 5km as I continue to heal my fractured ankle that happened way back in March.
Joined by friends from the Team Costa group we were grateful the haze has abated so that we may have a good and enjoyable race. Given nearly two months of air pollution and limited outdoor training opportunities, quite surprisingly multiple personal bests have been accomplished.
With a familiar route and a sea of red tees, Michelle, Lisa, Caitriona and Avni tackled the 10km route, departing the Flyer past the F1 Pit onto Nicoll Hwy, returning via Republic Boulevard to finish off at The Float.
Michelle knocked off a minute from last year’s GEWR race to finish off in 54.53min and in 39th place. Those bi-weekly 50km cycling outings are definitely paying off. For Caitriona, this is her first GEWR but when compared to her 2014 SCMS race, she shaved off 9min on her 10km. Lisa is no stranger to GEWR having completed 5km last year, however, she is a total newbie to 10km distances and she marked that well with GEWR’s 10th anniversary, finishing very well at 1:09hrs. Lastly, Avni is no stranger to races or long distances. With legs of steel and sheer determination she crossed the finish line in 58:48min.
Photo credit: Running Shots (thanks guys always doing a great job)
Forty minutes later the second half of the Team Costa ladies were flagged off for the 5km category. Vika and I were joined by Angela, Wizzy and Kate who are new to GEWR. I lost sight of Vika after a couple of hundred metres and not surprisingly she finished ahead of the rest of us in 32min.
Angela did quite well given that she’s never run in any SG event before. It’s not easy handling the humidity here, so she did quite well for someone who hasn’t trained and still managed to finish off in 36min.
Wizzy and I maintained the same pace for the first couple of kilometers until her fitness outdid mine and the gap between us just kept widening. After the 3rd km I didn’t see her in the crowd anymore. With a finished time of 36.34min, I was only half a minute behind her. It was a good yardstick for me. I’ll be chasing you again Wizzy.
With regular 6km jaunts to our local mall, Kate is a solid walker with GEWR being her first exposure to a racing event. Whilst walking alone can be calming and solitary, I think Kate enjoyed the atmosphere and camaraderie of the group and overall event.
To celebrate a race well done we met up with friends at Cafe Melba for a seriously good breakfast and some great company.
In overall, GEWR was a great event, well priced at $31, with tonnes of goodies in this year’s race pack and a nice gold finisher medal commemorating their 10th anniversary. Thanks GEWR and see you next year.
Is Alcohol A Runner’s Enemy?
Fancy some drinks after a hard day at work? We know that too much drinks is bad for our liver, but what about how it affects our muscles? Some of us may experience body aches after drinking too much, while some make it a motivation to go for a run after a night of indulgence in these calorie-loaded drinks. There are even runners who order a beer before a race and joke about it as carbo-loading. But the most important burning question of all – does alcohol affect running performance? Let’s find out more about alcohol:
Drinking before a workout
While some alcohol such as beer do contain some carbohydrates, most of these excess carbs are stored as fats due to how alcohol is metabolised. Rather than carbo-loading, you are actually fat-loading when you drink alcohol. Alcohol is also a diuretic; drinking too much the night before a run or race can leave you dehydrated in the morning, which leads to coordination problems and less oxygen to the muscles. If you must have that glass of beer to relax before a race, you should drink water before and after your beer.
Drinking after a workout
A study done by John Hawley’s group investigated how alcohol affects post-exercise muscle protein synthesis, meaning the process of how your muscles build themselves after an exercise. When you drink alcohol during recovery period, the signals that would normally tell your body to adapt and get stronger are suppressed immediately. This means that the effects of your workout or training will be reduced, and you will not get the optimal muscle building outcome you expected from the effort you put in. If you have an injury, alcohol can also delay our body’s ability to heal, as it limits the production of natural anti-inflammatories. It is therefore wiser for us runners to drink only after our recovery period.
Conclusion
We have heard that moderate consumption of alcohol has its benefits — positively affecting cholesterol levels, potentially protecting bones from thinning, and supplying the diet with antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. However, too much drinks can affect the rate of injuries during exercise and appear to induce detrimental effects on exercise capacity. So while moderate alcohol intake may positively affect health, this impact is no greater than benefits found with regular exercise. There is no need to abstain from alcohol altogether, but we should drink only in moderation and drink wisely. After all, water is still a runner’s best friend.

Race Review: Ubin WayFinder 2015 (by TheMinionGoesRunning)
For the third year running, Singapore’s largest orienteering race Ubin WayFinder was held on 1 November 2015 at Pulau Ubin. This year, my 2 friends and I decided to participate in the non-competitive Ubin Explorer team category as it was our first time trying orienteering as a sport. I was pretty glad that it was a haze-free morning as I had been anticipating this race since my race pack arrived a few days before the race!
Race Pack
While most races will require runners to proceed to a certain venue to collect the race packs, Ubin WayFinder actually sent the race pack directly to my house! I would say it is a good move as it actually saves me the trouble of going down to collect the race pack in the mist of my busy school schedule. (Plenty of reports and presentations to be done. :/ ) The registered mail arrived at my house about 5 days before the event, which consist of the event tee and the race bib. The event booklet was emailed to the participants on the same day as well, providing the essential details such as things to bring, point to take note during the orienteering race, how to read the legends on the map etc.
Race Day
Left house slight past 6am to meet my teammates before taking a cab to Changi Ferry Terminal (CFT). Upon arrival, we proceed on to the registration area at the CFT. Volunteers were also present to help assist in the registration process, which includes checking the essential items that are required for the race-compass, whistle and race bib. We were also issued the timing chip so that we can “check-in” at the various checkpoints. At the same time, we were issued coloured chips so that we can take the ferry over to Pulau Ubin in groups of 12. Personally, I feel that the ferrying of the participants over to Pulau Ubin could be improved as there were several times where there was confusion with the crew trying to find groups with the same allocated colour chip so that we can be transported over.
Upon arrival at Pulau Ubin, participants were directed to the main pavilion to wait for the flag-off. I was early enough to witness the flag-off of the Mixed Duo Category- each pair, consisting of one male and female, were eagerly queueing up before the officials flag them off in intervals of 30 seconds. Meanwhile in the pavilion, there was a photo-booth for participants to capture their moments at the event, deejays playing music etc. The general atmosphere was quite high as I could see many teams participating in the Ubin Explorer category are actually families- with kids as young as 5 years old!

15 minutes before the flag-off timing at 8.30am, we were given a safety briefing by the official staff to introduce to us the key checkpoints, things to look out for during the race etc. And after much anticipation, we were finally flagged-off! After looking at the map, my team decided to focus on a few checkpoints to clear- there were a total of 15, and we thought that attempting to clear all in 2.5 hours would be insane given that it was our first time doing orienteering.



Some of the checkpoints were really challenging (and ulu)- we had to venture into the woods, go pass trees and forest just to find the particular checkpoint. Along the way, as we meet other participants, we were also sharing information about where the checkpoints were. I think this is the positive spirit of orienteering as well! 🙂


The checkpoint that really wow-ed me was the Ubin Highest Point. We had to climb some steep steps before finally reaching this checkpoint, but I would say it is totally worth it. The view at the point is simply breath-taking!

We decided to head to the Finishing Point approximately 2 hours into the race, considering that the cut-off is 2.5hours. Upon arrival, the friendly crew generated the real-time data and we were told our official timing. Banana, 100Plus, Red Bull and goodie bags were also given out to those that had completed the race.
Race Reflection
On the whole, I would say that my teammates and I enjoyed the race a lot. It was challenging considering the terrain of the race, but we had fun throughout. I would recommend this event next year for those who would like to try orienteering for the first time.
Race Review: Ubin Wayfinder 2015 (by RunningShu)
This morning I ran my first ever race and first ever trail in my life! (There’s always a first for everything, eh?)
I was a little worried that I wouldn’t be able to perform because I had never ran a race or a distance longer than 5km before, but these worries proved to be unnecessary once I started running. On the other hand, I didn’t have much concerns for the orienteering segment of the race because I chose a great partner for my Mixed Duo category and also because I had prior orienteering experience from my NCC days.
Throughout the trail race, we got to see the rural, undisturbed, natural side of Pulau Ubin as opposed to the bustling urban jungle on mainland Singapore. As this was my first ever trail running (I was probably too brave to sign up in a competitive category when I had no prior experience in trail!), I went into it as a blank slate and came out with many useful learning points. These points can be important and I would like to share them with all runners who are thinking of starting on orienteering or trail running:
#1 Be prepared!
I saw several other runners carrying a backpack to hold their water bottles but I was holding mine in my hand. While my bottle did not give me too much problems during the race, but trust me, you would rather have free moving arms while you are trying to balance as you climb up the hills or waddle through the muddy mangrove swamp. And yes, you do need the water to rehydrate during the race because you may take more than an hour to complete it! For me, I do not like to carry backpacks when I run because they tend to bounce too much and hinder movements. What I noticed though, was that many trail runners were carrying this thing called a hydration pack, which looks like this:
This hydration pack can be very useful because it comes with a tube for you to drink from the bottle without having to take it out from the bag. It is also very lightweight and you can keep small important belongings such as cash and keys. Great for people wearing bottoms that do not come with zipped pockets!
#2 Stay protected
The Ubin Wayfinder organisers were kind to recommend us participants to wear long sleeves and long pants to protect ourselves from insect bites and scratches. But being the typical Singaporean who doesn’t like to cover up so much in the hot weather, I only wore the race tee and a mid-length tights. As expected, I had plenty of scratches on my arms and legs, and a couple of bites from red ants, with lots of mud. Most of the scratches I had were on my legs. However, they are not a big deal, and can be prevented with full length bottoms and tops.
#3 It’s okay to go to the wrong checkpoint
It is the toughest at the beginning because you are not familiar with the map. My team had difficulties finding our first few checkpoints and we even made a few big detours because of that. But after the first few mistakes, we learnt how to read the map better and the rest of the checkpoints became much easier to locate!
#4 Anything is possible
As an inexperienced trail runner, I could not tell if there was a route behind the trees right off the pavement, when there were no markers or signs. Turns out that in trail running, any route can be a route! Never would I have thought that I would be pushing away tree branches to open up a route, or to be crossing over a mangrove swamp and getting myself all muddy. It definitely felt like an adventure and I was like a kid discovering new things.
#5 Be aware of your surroundings
As you push away the tree branches to make way for yourself, do be careful if there are people behind you. Likewise, try not to walk too close if you see the person infront of you pushing away any obstacles. I had the first hand experience as my partner released a tree branch, which swung back too quickly, and slapped me in the face. And of course, look around and enjoy your surroundings instead of only focusing on the trail – you’d never know what you’ll find! In my team’s case, we found a few durians and spotted some monkeys.
I really enjoyed myself during this trail running as I get to experience the beauty of Pulau Ubin firsthand. I love how there are abandoned kampong houses in the middle of the forest, how animals roam freely around the island, and how the air is so fresh! I guess I will probably find more opportunities to explore this island, or even other islands around Singapore. For now, I am happy that I have completed my first race and it was a trail race! Let me flaunt my first race medal and race pack:
Happy running y’all! I hope my tips are helpful for new runners like me!
Race Review: Great Eastern Women’s Run 2015 [21.1km] (by ‘runforfun’)
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’)
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!
[ot-video type=”youtube” url=”bt5UQGnwJhE”]
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
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:
[ot-video type=”youtube” url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt5UQGnwJhE”]
Official press release:
10th 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 10th 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 |
1st | Vivian Tang | 1:28:37 |
2nd | Rachel See | 1:28:45 |
3rd | Mok Ying Rong | 1:31:11 |
4th | Neo Jie Shi | 1:31:38 |
5th | Lim Baoying | 1:31:42 |
21.1km Half Marathon Elite Open
Position | Name | Time |
1st | Kim Ji Hyang | 1:12:53 |
2nd | Yuko Watanabe | 1:16:01 |
3rd | Sin Myong Sun | 1:17:06 |
4th | Mary Joy Tabal | 1:19:36 |
5th | Misaki Nishida | 1:22:11 |
21.1km Half Marathon Individual Closed
Position | Name | Time |
1st | Jasmine Goh | 1:38:36 |
2nd | Qi Hui | 1:41:23 |
3rd | Jenny Huang | 1:42:14 |
21.1km Half Marathon Individual Open
Position | Name | Time |
1st | Peninah Kigen | 1:25:49 |
2nd | Tarus Gladys Jepkechel | 1:26:50 |
3rd | Esther Karimi | 1:27:16 |
10km Individual Closed
Position | Name | Time |
1st | Cheryl Chan | 39:17 |
2nd | Ng Yu Jun | 40:48 |
3rd | Janielle Lim | 42:03 |
10km Individual Open
Position | Name | Time |
1st | Isebllah Kigen | 36:16 |
2nd | Heidi Makinen | 41:25 |
3rd | Fleur Legrain | 41:33 |