The track is a runners’ playground – long distance runners included. It isn’t just for sprinters and middle distance runners. In fact, long-distance runners can benefit greatly from track workouts.
In essence, there are 3 ingredients to becoming a great long-distance runner – speed, endurance, and specific endurance. Specific endurance which is the race pace for your event, is the ultimate goal, but this cannot be achieved without speed and endurance. This is why it is beneficial to incorporate speed training into your training.
Here are 4 classic track workouts:-
#1 400m Repeats
400m repeats done at 1500m race pace would mean that you would be running at 110 percent of your VO2 Max. You would be training your anaerobic capacity, however, you won’t be compromising your aerobic capacity. Beginners can start with 4 sets and slowly advance to 10 set and then work your way up to 15 sets. Take a minute rest in between each interval.
#2 800m Repeats
800m repeats done at 3000m race pace would mean that you would be running at 100 percent of your VO2 Max. 800m repeats are said to be the bread and butter of speed training. Take a look at the Yasso 800 workout for instance which is based on 800m repeats. Beginners can start with 4 sets of 800m and slowly work your way up to 8 sets. Take a 2-minute rest in between each set.
#3 1km Repeats
1 km repeats done at 5000m race pace would mean that you would be running at 95 percent of your VO2 Max. 400m and 800m sessions will prepare your body for the demands of the 1 km repeats. Beginners can start with 4 sets of 1000m and work your way up to 8 sets. Take a 3-minute rest in between each set.
#4 1600m Repeats
1600m repeats done at 10 km pace would mean that you would be running at 90 percent of your VO2 Max. The workout is long, which means your heart rate is high for a substantial amount of time. It is a tough workout. Beginners can start with 3 sets and work your way up to 6 sets. Take a 3-minute rest in between each set.
Well, the saying does go, if you want to run fast, you’ve got to train fast. This speed workouts train your speed, lungs, and legs.
Talk about girl power, here’s one for the ladies. Here are 6 women only races all ladies should not miss!
#1 Mizuno Lady Running, Taiwan
Mizuno Lady’s Running is a run in Taipei, Taiwan, exclusively for women. The tagline for the Mizuno Lady Run is – We can do anything better! The run aims to empower women and encourage women to challenge themselves, whether it is to conquer a new distance or a new personal best.
Instead of a finisher medal, the Mizuno Lady Running event always gives out something special – last year it was a shoe charm. How cool is that?
There are always 2 categories for you to opt from – this year being a 12.5 km and 3 km.
Happening Next: 28th May 2018
#2 Nagoya Women Marathon, Japan
Photo Credits: Nagoya Women Marathon
The Nagoya Women Marathon is very popular because of the finisher commemorative item you receive upon conquering the marathon distance. Instead of a finisher medal, you receive a Tiffany & Co pendant in their iconic blue box, handed to you by a man dressed in a Tuxedo. The experience is a glamorous one.
Run Sisters Run! is the tagline of Malaysia’s Women Marathon. This women, for women run is the biggest event for women in Malaysia. This is a marathon that wants to build a culture for women to run and feel great joy running; be it the marathon or the shorter distances. Their movement to empower women is not limited to one but so many ways – with running clinics and women-centered dialogue sessions before race day!
Happening Next: 4th March 2018
#4 Borneo Women Run, Malaysia
Photo Credits: Borneo Women Run
The Borneo Women will be making its debut this year. Their tagline is: We are capable of amazing things! The run seeks to encourage women to believe in themselves, that they are capable of challenging themselves and achieving great heights. The run will feature a 14 km and 7 km.
Happening Next: 15 April 2018
#5 Great Eastern Women’s Run, Singapore
Photo Credits: Ah Mei
The Great Eastern Women’s Run seeks to unify women in health and fitness. The year 2018 will mark its 13th edition. You can opt for the 5 km, 10 km or 21 km. Great Eastern stays true to being a LIFE company – helping women live well, stay healthy and feel empowered. Whether you are a daughter, a wife, a mother or a sister, the Great Eastern Women’s Run encourages you to live a healthy life. We’ve heard the 2017 edition was a dazzling one with an opportunity to win a diamond.
The phrase eat till you drop is practically the motto of Osaka. The food here is amazing! Hence making the Osaka Women Marathon the place to be. Women come to run a good time and eat all the amazing street food Osaka has to offer. This run is always held on the 4th or 5th Sunday of January and is a course for fast times. The finish line of the race is at Nagai Stadium, which was the host venue for the 2007 World Championships in Athletics. There is no better place or way more grand to cross the finish line.
Southeast Asia’s Pokémon-themed fun run in its second edition is happening this weekend! Are you ready to get immersed in the life of a Trainer and catch’em all? This is huge all fans of the movies, the games and trading card collectors.
Read on to get all the information you need!
Important Info
Date: January 27, 2018 (THIS SATURDAY!) Venue: Marina Barrage (8 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018951) Time: From 2pm onwards
Getting There
By Car Limited parking space is available at Marina Barrage and Satay By The Bay (Gardens by the Bay). Prevailing parking charges applies.
To get to Marina Barrage, head towards Central Boulevard from AYE (East Bound) into MCE (Exit 2) or ECP/KPE (Towards City) into MCE (Exit 3). Follow the road/directional signs along Central Boulevard towards Marina Gardens Drive (right turn). Stay on Marina Gardens Drive passing by first Gardens by the Bay and Satay by the Bay on the left before reaching Marina Barrage. Alternatively, travel from Rochor/Ophir towards ECP (West Bound) through Sheares Avenue into Central Boulevard.
By Bus
SBS Bus 400 Operating time: 0700hrs – 2300hrs (Frequency of 15-20mins) From Tanjong Pagar Station: Take bus 400 in front of International Plaza (03223) From Marina Bay Station and Downtown Station: Take bus 400 at Marina Bay Financial Centre (03391) along Marina Boulevard.
Here’s a list of what you need to know before you embark on your journey:
Arrive at least an hour before Flag-Off and do your own warm-up. This is important for your personal safety during the run!
Participants must show their bibs in order to enter the Start Area.
To collect your Finishing Medal, you must show your bib to the Crew at the finish point.
The cut-off timing for the collection of your medal is at 7.00pm. Remember to be back at the Village by then!
If you are not feeling well during the run, approach the nearest marshaller for assistance.
As with most fun runs, there won’t be a Baggage Deposit. So pack light and bring only what’s necessary!
Programme Schedule
2.00PM: Start of Carnival Exclusive Meet & Greet with Pikachu 2.30PM Bingo Party 3.45PM: Warm up with Pikachu 4.00PM: Flag Off – Wave 1 4.30PM: Flag Off – Wave 2 4.45PM: Warm up with Pikachu 5.00PM: Flag Off – Wave 3 5.30PM: Flag Off – Wave 4 6.15PM: Pikachu Parade 6.30PM: Stage Segment : Q&A Giveaway 6.45PM: Pikachu Dance 7.00PM: Bingo Party (Final Medal Collection) 7.35PM: Pikachu Parade 7.50PM: Stage Segment : Q&A Giveaway 8.05PM: Pikachu Dance (Closing Parade)
The standard distances such as the marathon distance, half marathon distance, and 10 km are popular. You would always have a benchmark as to your time to beat for a half marathon or a marathon. But do you know your personal best for an odd distance, for instance, a 32 km or a 15 km? But, yet, these 4 odd distance races are really popular in Singapore and Malaysia. Bookmark them!
#1 32 km Newton Run, Singapore
The Newton Challenge is very popular and is a must-do race for many. The distance of 32 kilometers gives you a great opportunity to push yourself across a 32 km distance. It’s easier to push yourself during a race as compared to a training run on your own. You do not need to worry about your hydration needs because there’ll be water stations along the way. It’s basically a great way to get in a good long run training!
The Newton Challenge is also always strategically held a couple of weeks before the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. So, the Newton Run is a good training run and also provides you a good gauge as to your fitness before the big marathon!
We heard that the post-race food is amazing as well!
This run is a run to save lives. Racing against cancer means coming out to make a statement against cancer, to minimize cancer and maximize life. Thing is, no one should fight cancer alone! So, this event invites people from all walks of life to stand with people who have been impacted by cancer. Run 15 km with possibly the strongest people you would ever meet! It’s a great cause – one that touches the heart of many runners, hence, making this a run that is much loved!
This run is a unique one but oh-so-much-fun! Challenge your limits with a 3.9 km uphill and a 16.6 km downhill run. You climb 3.9 km up via 4,287 steps all the way to the top of Gunung Raya which is the highest peak in Langkawi. It is misty, but right at the top, when the stunning view reveals itself, you will be in awe. Thereafter, you run downhill all the way right back to the finish line. Speeding downhill for 16 km – there’s no greater feeling for any runner!
#4 30 km Dragon Back Run, Malaysia
Runners somehow for some incomprehensible reason find joy in pain. It’s tough to explain why runners love this run, but they do keep coming back for more. The Dragon Back Run – as the name suggests – has a route like a dragon’s back. It goes up and down, and up and down, and leaves you wondering when the up would ever end. Yet people keep coming back for more. This year 2018, there’s even a 30 km distance.
It’s my runcation trip with Sabrina! ? Thank you Sabrina for accompanying me ? But it’s a dim sum and hiking trip for Sabrina as I’m the only one who balloted for the Hong Kong Standard Chartered Marathon slots ? Yup, other than running SCHKM, I enjoyed the hike at Violet Hill and Dragon’s Back and the dim sum most ?
Though I’ve just ran Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon last year, I decided to try to ballot and register for it this year as it’s a place I’m more familiar with and in the recent years I won’t be brave enough to run 42.195km in the humid and hot Singapore ? Hong Kong is cold, with a nice temperature to run in during this time of the year. Luckily when I was there, I didn’t experience any haze.
I think it’s baby steps for me to register for overseas races such as SCHKM, Osaka Marathon and Vietnam Mountain Marathon in Asia last year before going to places further, and I have Gold Coast Marathon in Australia coming July. I have a really long list of marathons I would love to run in mind and use running as a chance to explore other parts of the world as well ?
Last year I joined the SCHKM with a running club after unsuccessful in balloting and got a marathon slot won during a contest with a condition which was to purchase a travel package to the marathon with the running club. So accommodation and transport are taken care of and I didn’t have to make any plans at all. But this time, I’ve balloted successfully for a marathon slot, bought my own air tickets and booked the accommodation myself. It’s much cheaper and I saved about 50% of the money than what I’ve paid for than last year ?
It’s a pity that I didn’t manage to go to the race expo as it was held one week before the race unlike many of the international marathons which their race expo held just a few days before race. International runners only collect our race pack in Kowloon Park and there’s no queues when I went to collect my race pack.
It doesn’t seem real that I am running SCHKM, another 42.195km again just shortly after 2 months running the Osaka Marathon till I was in the start pen when they started counting down to flag off. Maybe that’s part of the reason why I didn’t train for this marathon. I wanted to rest, I was only doing my happy 5km or 10km runs. Too much LSD is just so scary ? To run happy is what matters most right? If it’s so gruesome then it’s too much for me to handle then I shall really cut down in running long distances? ???
The temperature is fine, about 17 degrees not very cold so I just turn up in singlet and went to deposit my baggage in the truck. The baggage deposit and collection is efficient and took only few seconds as there’s a bag given at race pack collection and it’s the same bag that we need to put everything in it and there’s a baggage tag with our bib number on it to retrieve it. But the queue for the portable toilet is crazily long ?
Theres different timing for the flag off and my flag off was at 7am. I heard that those who went to the the wrong wave could not get their official timing. I didn’t study the route but I think it’s the same route as last year. Many killer slopes and I started walking after 18km. There’s nothing wrong with me, legs no pain, not super breathless but I was just so not motivated to run and start doing the maths calculating the amount of time I can walk so that I can finish within the 6 hours cut off time. Yes, it’s a strict 6 hours cut of time but it’s really doable and there’s cut off times at various check points they will stop the runners who can’t meet the cut off times at the check points to board the sweeper bus back to the finishing. When I was at the last underground tunnel towards Central, I met this guy from Britain, he’s running his first marathon and we had a good chat, about an hour later I met him again and ran the last km towards the finishing. Thank you for motivating me, Eukon (Didn’t know how to spell his name but I hope the spelling is correct)
When the sun is out already, I tell myself I really need to start running already. The day before I was mistaken as from Nepal and Philippines. I’m so universal, previously people thought I’m Taiwanese, Indonesian ot Japanese ?
It’s nice to meet many friends from the running community that I know of on Instagram and Facebook along the way at the marathon and have little chats and just simple words of encouragement meant a lot when you’re running the 42.195km. I feel so tempted to board the bus to the end point at various check points, the bus with seats looks really so shiok parking by the side of the road and I was seeing it as if there’s red carpet inviting me to board it. I then convinced myself just finish it, I don’t want to have my first DNF. At times I really hope that Willis was with me by my side, maybe I will be more motivated.
There’s many hydration points along the way and each hydration points is like 100m long and spread out, there’s water, isotonic drink, peeled or not peeled bananas and chocolates along the way. Really love the chocolates but still, Osaka Marathon hydration points is my best experience I ever had so far. Maybe Nagoya or Tokyo marathon if I’m lucky enough next year? ? And interestingly, now then I realised that the little human on the medal can be taken out to use as a pendant for necklace! That’s so awesome! ? The medal was sponsored by Lukfook jewellery and the podium runners medals have real diamonds! ?
The Abbott World Marathon Majors is a series of the 6 of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world. Together, they form the marathon global championships to determine the world’s best male and female marathon runner. The races take place in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City – making it a great race-cation opportunity. And, unless you are an elite or semi-elite runner, your fate lies in the hands of lady luck – you need to ballot for a slot.
The series qualifying races are as follows:-
#1 Tokyo Marathon – February
Tokyo Marathon is one of Asia’s largest marathons. Tokyo Marathon’s tagline is – the day we unite – bringing together the heart of runners, volunteers, and supporters. The atmosphere at the Tokyo Marathon is an experience of a lifetime in itself. The whole city shuts down and the people of Tokyo come out to show their support for all runners. The support is really like no other – people cheering you right from the very first kilometer right till the final kilometer.
#2 Boston Marathon – April
This is the bucket list marathon for one-too-many runners. To run in the oldest marathon comes with great prestige and honor. The race is filled with so much history. To stand and the start line of the Boston Marathon, you know you’re amongst the best. You have to earn your place to be in this marathon – you have to hit the qualifying mark. Many runners attempt tirelessly to qualify for this prestigious marathon to be part of the experience.
#3 London Marathon – April
Photo Credits: Visit London
The London Marathon is a fast course – many world records have been set and broken in London. It is, in fact, the 2nd fastest course after Berlin Marathon. The courses showcase many landmarks of London – starting at Greenwich Park, bringing you along River Thames, Canary Wharf and the Houses of Parliament. The marathon is a tour of London and there is no better way to experience this British City.
#4 Berlin Marathon – September
The Berlin Marathon is the fastest marathon course there is. If you’re looking to break a personal best, here’s your chance! Elite marathoners flock here to attempt the World record, where the rest come to attempt a personal best. The course is pancake flat with minimal turnings. And of course, the post-race meal of German sausages and beer makes the experience even better!
#5 Chicago Marathon – October
Photo Credits: Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Marathon is a fantastic way to see Chicago. The route showcases both city and suburbs and tours through 29 neighborhoods! It also brings you through several landmarks. You are guaranteed to see the very best Chicago has to offer. Thousands of spectators and volunteers will be there to cheer you on as you weave through the heart of Chicago.
#6 New York City Marathon – November
Photo Credits: NY Times
The New York City Marathon is the largest marathon in the world in arguably the greatest city in the world. The number of applicants is always at a record high. Your chances of getting a slot are much much lower as compared to the other World Marathon Majors. The run brings you through the 5 boroughs of New York City – Brooklyn, The Bronx, Staten Island, Queens, and Manhatten. You see the whole of NYC in 42.195 kilometers.
Some 100 runners gathered at One Marina Boulevard on the 16th January 2018 morning for the launch of #RUNHOMESG, an initiative launched by Income Eco Run to encourage everyone to pick up running as an alternative mode of transport.
Flagging off at 7:20 pm, runners headed off in four different guided routes – North East, East, West, and North – passing by major landmarks such as Kallang River, East Coast Park, Old Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and MacRitchie Reservoir. Led by pacers from Running Department, the Official Pacer for Income Eco Run, runners had the flexibility to alter and deviate from guided routes midway to reach their personal destination.
What?
The initiative aims to encourage an eco movement to reduce carbon footprint, in support of Income Eco Run’s quest to run towards Zero Waste. #RUNHOMESG aims to clock 10,000km by 27 April 2018, which is equivalent to 486 liters of fuel and can power-up a 4-room flat for up to three months! Take a step forward and run-commute home as a community to reduce your carbon footprint!
How? – Be A Part Of #RUNHOMESG
Following the launch of #RUNHOMESG, runners are encouraged to continue running towards the collective goal of 10,000km. Runners will stand to win attractive prizes along the way.
To participate, runners will need to track their runs with their respective activity trackers and upload screenshots of their completed runs on social media with the hashtag #RUNHOMESG by 27 April 2018. 10 winners will be picked every week from 16 January to 31 March. Income Eco Run has prepared some suggested routes from One Marina Boulevard, which are available at the following links: North East, East, West, North, and runners may engage with the community on the #RUNHOMESG Facebook page.
Some popular activity trackers include:- Runkeeper, Strava Running & Cycling, Nike+ Running Club, Map My Run, Runtastic, iSmooth Run Pro, Footpath Route Planner, Sports Tracker, Runmeter, Endomondo, Rungo, Pumatrac, Google Fit
East
West
North East
North
Income Eco Run 2018 will take place on 29 April 2018 at the F1 Pit Building. Early bird registration for Income Eco Run 2018 starts from $15 and ends on 22 January 2018. For more information on #RUNHOMESG and to register for Income Eco Run 2018, please visit IncomeEcoRun.sg.
One of the popular races, Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2018 just happened last weekend, and some local elite runners took part the event. Big congratulations from JustRunLah! to all the elite runners, such as Neo Jieshi and her husband, Jackie Ho, Rachel See and her husband, Poon Zi Li, and of course, to all the JustRunLah! buddies for completing the tough race!
Especially, we would like to congrats our inspiring female runner from Singapore, Rachel See for winning the Half Marathon in Women’s Master 1 category (1:25:08)!
We know you can’t wait to find out the results. Here are the results of general position for you! Click here to find out the category position.
Marathon Challenge
KENNETH MBURU MUNG’ARA (2:13:29)
BONSA DIDA DIREBA (2:13:44)
BARNABAS KIPTUM (2:13:52)
Marathon Run 1
KWOK, MAN KIT (4:14:42)
LEE, IAN (4:26:43)
LAM, MAN YIN ANISSA (4:00:40)
Marathon Run 2
CHAN, KING FUNG (4:00:08)
CHAN, KING FUNG (4:59:21)
LOK, SIN YIN (4:50:27)
Half Marathon Challenge
LI, CHUNHUI (01:10:00)
LIU , HONGLIANG (01:10:00)
WANG, KUN (01:10:25)
Half Marathon Run 1
WANG, RI (01:43:27)
QING, YU (01:50:10)
LO, CHUN MAN ERIC (02:19:29)
Half Marathon Run 2
YIU, YAU HO DANIEL (02:29:33)
莫, 家煒 (02:54:50)
CHOI, HOI TAT (03:01:16)
10 KM Challenge
KOK, YU HANG (00:31:58)
SHUEN, CHUN KIT (00:32:01)
GI, KA MAN (00:32:05)
*The informations above are retrieved from Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon official website.
Looking forward to join Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon next year?
Photo credit: Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon Official Facebook Page
The first marathon of 2018 in Malaysia took place Sunday morning and kudos to the organizers, all finishers and volunteers. Over 8000 participants challenged their limits at the Twincity Marathon, and one couple even got engaged!
Now it’s time to wear proudly your finisher t-shirt, show your shiny medal, record your thoughts and photos on your running app, JustRaceLah!
Watch this space as we will be bringing you updates as soon as they become available. You can keep track of all changes in real time and add your own comments via our mobile app, JustRaceLah!
If you think that your last race was overcrowded, imagine yourself taking part in a running event together with another 100,000 people! We here take a look at history’s largest races around the world.
Various distance races
In the top of the list, we find “A Run for the Pasig River” that was held in Manila, The Philippines, on October 10, 2010. A massive 160,000 runners registered for this event, out of which 116,086 finished the race. Run for the Pasig River was certified by The Guinness World Records as having the most participants in a racing event on December 26, 2010. It should be noted, though, that this event included multiple categories and as such, the number of participants per category was diluted.
In terms of a single-category race, the “Bay to Breakers” race that was held on May 18, 1986 in San Francisco, California holds the record of most participation with 110,000 runners.
The largest Marathon
Unsurprisingly the record comes from one of the world’s most famous marathon, that of New York City Marathon, and specifically, its 2016 edition. Early morning on Sunday the 6th of November 2016, 51,388 runners crossed the finishing line, an amazing percentage out of 51,995 people who started.
The top 10 largest Running Events
Position
Race Name
Location
Date
Distances
Participation*
1
A Run for the Pasig River
Manila, Philippines
10 October 2010
10 km, 5 km, 3 km
116,086
2
Bay to Breakers
San Francisco, California, United States
18 May 1986
12 km
110,000
3
Cursa El Corte Ingles
Barcelona, Spain
5 June 1994
11 km
109,457
4
Broloppet
Malmö / Copenhagen, Sweden / Denmark,
12 June 2000
Half-Marathon
92,266, 79,837
5
City2Surf
Sydney, Australia
14 August 2011
14 km
86,696, 68,930
6
Dam tot Damloop
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
20 September 2009
10 miles, 4 miles and kids runs
74,020
7
Hong Kong Marathon
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
15 January 2015
Marathon, half-marathon, 10 km, 10 km wheelchair race, 3 km wheelchair race
73,070
8
Round the Bays
Auckland, New Zealand
10 March 2013
8.4 km
70,000
9
Lilac Bloomsday Run
Spokane, Washington, United States
5 May 1996
12 km
61,298
10
United We Run
Beirut, Lebanon
10 April 2005
5 km,
60,000
* bold indicates number of race registrants, and italics the number of race finishers
** “Kahit Isang Araw Lang Unity Run” (Just For A Day: Unity Run) was a running event held in The Philippines on January 22, 2012 that reportedly had over 300,000 participants. That would bring it to the top of the list, however, the event was spread to different venues and there is no proper documentation.
Singapore, 21 January 2018 – Run For Hope 2018 celebrates its 25th anniversary as Singapore’s largest run for cancer awareness and research. Co-organised by Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, Regent Singapore, A Four Seasons Hotel and the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) since 2008, Run For Hope has raised close to $1.5 million in nett proceeds for the National Cancer Centre Research Fund. A new logo was unveiled to commemorate this milestone, using the design of a silver ribbon emblazoned across the iconic Run For Hope logo, symbolic of a runner crossing the finishing line. The logo illustrates and represents medical breakthroughs, a will for victory and a determination to reach a desired goal, both in a personal capacity for patients and their support network.
This year’s run was graced by Mr Chee Hong Tat, Senior Minister of State for Health, Communications and Information, who flagged off the 10km category and participated in the 3.5km run. Joining in the good cause were Team Singapore athletes as well as celebrity Paul Foster, Daniel Yun (local filmmaker) and Eden Ang (YouTube influencer), who all ran along the stunning city view route that passes through the Kallang Bay area, Marina Barrage and Gardens by the Bay. In addition, 23 children from the Singapore Kids Philharmonic Orchestra played the violin, viola, flute and trumpet as they greeted runners at the finish line.
Cancer survivor ambassadors who were present at the run, shared their personal stories to raise awareness on cancer research:
Esther Sim, a 67-year-old retiree and a two-time breast cancer survivor. She now regularly keeps herself active through dragon boat and tai chi.
Paula O’Callaghan, a 50-year-old interior designer at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore. She is a stage one breast cancer survivor who has undergone lumpectomy in 2015.
Wan Petom, a 51-year-old mother to a 8-year-old son, is currently battling multiple cancers including stage four breast cancer.
Ms Sherona Shng, Run For Hope 2018 Chairwoman and Hotel Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Singapore said, “For our Silver Anniversary, we wanted the focus to be on our cancer survivor ambassadors and their support network. Each year, more than 12,000 people in Singapore are diagnosed with cancer, and chances are we might know someone dear to us who is affected by this disease. Cancer research has resulted in a higher chance of survival and our contributions today give hope for a cancer-free tomorrow. We are grateful for the support of close to 10,000 attendees at this year’s Run For Hope and we thank all for their commitment to this meaningful cause.”
The sound of the alarm clock startled me from my dream and my eyes opened slowly whilst adjusting to the dim light of the table lamp that I have left on throughout the night. It was 4 am on a Sunday morning of 17 December 2017 at Taipei, Taiwan. I have decided to end the year on a high note by participating in an overseas marathon and challenging myself to run in the cold weather having been running in the sweltering heat in Singapore. The day before, I had checked in at The Tango Hotel that is just a 10-minute walk to the Taipei City Hall Plaza, which was also the starting point for the Taipei Marathon 2017. I got myself ready and contacted Sam who was another running buddy of mine and we decided to meet at the 24-hour lounge in the hotel for our breakfast. Having filled up our “tanks”, we set off on foot at 5.30am and immediately the cold air rushed all over our bodies the moment we stepped out of the hotel. It was 9ºC and the cold spell had just hit Taipei. The both of us who were only clothed in our t-shirts with an additional singlet donned on the outside provided by the main sponsor, Adidas and with our running shorts and caps on, braved through the already rainy weather and wet roads to the “battleground.” Soon joining us, we saw similar participants hurrying to the destination despite the coldness. Crazy us came through both our minds as we could have lain lazily on our beds and hibernate off comfortably in this weather. We looked at each other and shook our heads.
The Taipei Marathon 2017 attracted 27,000 participants of which 3,500 of them were foreigners. There were 7,000 participants for the full marathon and the remaining 20,000 for the half marathon. Registration for the marathon started in early September 2017 and selection of the participants was by way of a lucky draw. Both Sam and I were lucky to have been picked by the lucky draw that was announced after the registration date. Before the Taipei Marathon 2017, I had participated in the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2017 and almost immediately after this, I flew off to Taiwan to acclimatize to the cold weather and started on my training, days before the event.
The Run
We reached Taipei City Hall Plaza at 6am and the event site was already jam-packed with participants and we had to wriggle ourselves through the narrow and tortuous barricades to get to the start pen. The coldness we felt earlier became warmness soon after due to the massive heat generated by the bodily temperatures of the other participants that stood close to each other whilst waiting for the marathon to start. Sam and I wished each other good luck and we took our positions in our different zones promising to meet later at the finishing line. The marathon kicked off at 6.30am sharp and was flagged off by the Taipei City Mayor, Mr. Ko Wen-je with much fanfare from both the participants and spectators.
The Taipei Marathon 2017 relived the experience of going back and forth through the historical and modern parts of Taipei City. This includes cultural and historical sites like the North Gate (Cheng-En Gate), East Gate, (Jing-Fu Gate), South Gate (Li-Zheng Gate), Auxiliary South Gate (Chong-Xi Gate), The Grand Hotel Taipei, National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Park (Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall), Taipei Expo Park, Taipei 101, etc. Along the running routes, there were supporters both young and old and some with motivational placards that stood along the roads cheering on the participants despite the early morning coldness and wet rainy weather. It was raining and cold winds blowing at us throughout the entire race but our spirits were not dampened by it as our bodily heat generated by our runs had dissipated the cold and the goal of completing the race as our end in mind. The highest temperature recorded that day was 11ºC and the cold air actually dries your throat off easily during the run and hence, I have to constantly replenish myself with water and sports drinks whenever I chanced upon a hydration station. You are still dehydrating even though you are out running in the cold. There was almost a hydration station at every 3km mark and besides, there were also bananas, crackers and chocolate cookies as giveaways to participants who wish to replenish their energies. At one particular station, the MacArthur Bridge (Mai Shuai Er Qiao), there were also free giveaways of Brands’ Essence of Chicken as well. I could never imagine myself drinking a bottle of this during the run despite it being thought to be an energy booster with its high nutritional value, as I would probably be nauseous and throw up after that.
As this is the largest annual running event in Taiwan since its establishment in 1986, all affected roads were closed and there were police officers directing and controlling the traffic as well as marshallers guiding the participants that made the marathon safe and secure. The running routes were also well demarcated with distance markers and proper directional signage for the full and half marathon. The roads are wide enough to accommodate the participants with its scenic views as well. However, there were strict rules that participants have to adhere to. There are certain roads that will have to be re-open to traffic at certain timings and participants who are unable to reach the destination point in time will be disqualified from the marathon and be picked up by a vehicle and brought back to the finishing line. This is because of the high traffic intensity in Taipei and any further delays in re-opening the affected roads will definitely cause disruptions and inconveniences to the city. Moreover, those who did not complete the race within the stipulated time of 6 hours for the full marathon and 3 hours for the half marathon will not be entitled to the finisher medal and finisher towel.
Run to Dream
Despite being inexperienced running in such cold weather, we still managed to complete the marathon on time and thanks to my constant training, I too have achieved a Personal Best that I am guessing that the weather must have played a part too J
Besides both the finisher medal and finisher towel, there were also many goodies stored in our goodie bags such as sports drinks, biscuits, fruits, lunch box, sandwiches, chocolates, etc. which I collected at the race village. Hot tea was also served to the participants, which was indeed heartwarming. There were many happy faces and I stayed a while longer to mingle with some of the other participants and also to soak in the atmosphere of our achievements as finishers. It was indeed a run to remember and a Run To Dream. Thereafter, both Sam and I celebrated the successful completion of our marathon to a warm and hearty hotpot meal. An item checked off my bucket list! And will I do it all over again? Yes, of course.
And I’m back (not so fresh) from New York City and I will be sharing about my NYC marathon experience with Team For Kids as promised.
Race Expo was held at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on Eleventh Avenue, between 34th and 40th streets, in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, New York City.
Race Expo. The Marathon Expo presented by New Balance was so huge that I had to go back at least three times I guess just to make sure I was able to check everything. It was a 3-day expo if I am not mistaken and I was so busy the whole 3 or 4 days as Team For Kids has program invites for their fundraisers and it was quite tiring too walking here and there, rushing and getting lost like most of the time. I went to Jacob K. Javits Convention Center where the expo is half an hour before it closed on its first day. I was back there again before the Parade of Nations the next day to collect the 5 km Abbott Kids Dash bib and one last time after the TFK breakfast on Saturday, a day before the big race.
Race Expo
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Team For Kids have their own booth where goodies awaits the fundraisers.
TFK bibs are collected here so TFK runners need not to queue along with the massive crowd.
The entire experience of fundraising was just so humbling given over 6 months of publicizing through different platforms, asking and knocking from friends and strangers repeatedly, even to those whom I have just met, runners and non-runners alike. I am so much grateful for everyone’s participation and for the immediate response when I reached out especially at those times that I felt hopeless and desperate. It wasn’t I who was given hope actually but the kids who for sure you have impacted a lot and made a difference in a special way on their lives through the donations made for Team For Kids. Let me take this platform and allow me to use this opportunity to thank my donors. You all know who you were. Singapore running community in general, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!
Anonymously; Theresa Castaneda-Ward (USA-PHI); Elgincolin Family (CAN-PHI);
Joseph and Jenny Cabugon (USA-PHI); Ronald Seah (SIN); Gerlie Valdez (SIN-PHI);
Alan Morley (USA); Nicky Nah (SIN); Muruganandam Ramupillai (SIN);
Noel Bautista (SIN-PHI); Dan Gilbert Co (SIN-PHI); Reynaldo Po (SIN-PHI);
Noel Galang (SIN-PHI); Meiting Ng (SIN); Mark and Mai Bondoc (SIN-PHI);
Richelle Valdez (SIN-PHI); Glenn and June Cosue (SIN-PHI); Edmund Baey (SIN);
Riana Montisano (SIN); Rosalie Serrano (SIN-PHI); Ray Marshall Bautista (PHI);
Celerino Mercado (SIN-PHI); Tsurayuki Murakami (SIN); James Ong (SIN);
Zhiyong Liu (SIN); Cindy and John Gomez (SIN-PHI); Jena Tan (SIN);
Corrine Kang (SIN); Grace Bautista (UK-PHI); Ashraf Ali (SIN);
Holly Puno (USA-PHI); Ressylene Canta (USA-PHI); Sheril Labog (USA-PHI);
Joanna Mae Bascarra Serrano (USA-PHI); Lourdes Manuzon-Torifiel (USA-PHI);
Zayda Zafra (USA-PHI); Chiela Harris-Loyola (USA-PHI); Juana Lee-Lim (SIN);
Ralph Jose (UK-PHI); Glaiza Requinto (SIN-PHI);
Charissa Layosa-Pontanoza (SIN-PHI); Thomas King (SIN)
Been fortunate to be the Philippines flag bearer during the Parade of Nations
Parade of Nations. A month before the race I was chosen to represent my country to be a flag bearer during the opening ceremony on the November 3, 2017. It was an extraordinary experience leading the pack of runners from my hometown. Through this event, I met a few runners I followed and started to follow on social media, something surreal. It was participated by runners across the globe to celebrate diversity. Delegate countries were welcomed one by one in alphabetical order and the event, which lasted for over 4 hours was ended by a spectacular fireworks.
Parade Of Nations
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With Singapore flag bearer, Alvin!
Norway guy.
Para.. para.. Paraguay. lol
5 KM Abbot Kids Dash. Marathon runners and the public were also invited to run the Kids Dash on November 4, 2017. I did sign up too expecting for another medal but there was none. It was participated by a fairly large crowd. I regarded it as something like a shake out and familiarization run. We were late though as we lost our way to the start pen. What I am more excited with that day was the Marathon breakfast where Team For Kids fundraisers have VIP seats at the Marathon Pavilion.
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A bunch of happy runners here.
at the stretch of 6th Avenue
With Ams leading acclimatization runs around Liberty Park. She used to work in Singapore and is now based in Jersey City.
TFK Marathon Breakfast. After the shake out run, we headed straight to the Marathon Pavilion for the TFK invite only breakfast.
Team For Kids Alumni 2017-18
Representative fundraisers from all over the world were recognized as well as first time runners for Team For Kids. I learned that some of the runners have been raising funds for over 10 years now as well as how TFK and New York Road Runners are contributing to the society. I also learned and listened to Meb Keflezighi who ran his last marathon, as he gave a speech on giving back and his advocacy on youth health, education and fitness.
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Meb talking at the stage
with TFKer Gigi
TFKer Joan
TFKer Drew
TFKer Irapaul
Cool Finds at the Marathon Pavilion.
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Searched this board at the Expo but it was actually at the Marathon Pavilion
Inspiring.
Race Day. The most exciting part! I had a good dinner on the night before November 5, 2017. We were reminded to adjust our clocks for the Daylight Savings and tucked in early. It was freezing at slightly below 10 degree Celsius with a little wind. TFK buses are waiting between 6th and 7th Avenues. Pick up time was as early as 5:30 AM and took us an hour or more to reach Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island where the race started.
It was cloudy and was expected to get a slight downpour. My flag off was at 10:15 AM and had to wait 3 hours at the TFK tent at the race village.
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TFKers going in towards the TFK tent
Officers everywhere
Security Gate at Fort Wadsworth
Security Check
Runners waiting in the cold for their flag-off
The TFK tent was warm, complete with entertainment as in some runners share experiences on mic, encouragements from the coaches and last minute tips. Runners are all seated comfortably inside the enormous tent equipped with warm air blowers housing hundreds of TFKers offering unlimited bagels and all sorts of refreshments including coffee, tea, water, energy gels, disposable ponchos, etc.
Runners at every wave were assisted to their respective corrals with warm up exercise conducted by assigned coaches before they were set to the base of the Verrazano-Narrows bridge. I managed to take a few photos at the start and proceeded to run as keeping still made me really feel colder intensified by the crosswinds at the bridge. (Read More)
With Singapore Runner Amanda right at the finish.
Team For Kids Runner Feature Article: Why Sam Ancheta is Flying 9,500 Miles to Take on 26.2
New York City Marathon 2018 application for drawing has opened. Click here for more info.
RUN AND help the City of Marawi rise again by joing the “NCAA Solidarity Run 2018: Bangon Marawi” to be held on January 28 at Plaza Rajah Sulayman along Roxas Boulevard. An estimated 5,000 students and alumni of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s 10 member schools and fun run enthusiasts are expected to answer the starting gun at 4:00 AM.
“We want to help our brothers and sisters in Marawi recover from the siege last year,” said Fr. Glynn Ortega OAR of San Sebastian College. “We also want to promote physical fitness to our students and to everyone as well by joining fun runs like this one.”
Runners can choose from 10, five and three kilometers. Special kiddie races of one and three kilometers for those aged seven to 10 years will also be held but members of the school’s Track and Field varsity are not allowed to join.
Registration fee is set at PHP 500.00 for all distances. The race kit consists of a singlet and race bib plus all participants will be treated to a rave party immediately after the run.
Log on to www.tinyurl.com/ncaapreregistration to register and pay fees via bank deposit to Banco de Oro account 004550210934 under the name San Sebastian College-Recoletos Manila Inc. Keep the deposit slip for kit claiming.
Fr. Ortega added that this is only the beginning. The NCAA, the Philippines’ oldest school-based sports organization, is expected to hold similar activities with a charitable cause in the future.
It’s happening this weekend! The very first marathon of the year is taking the streets of Putrajaya and Cyberjaya!
As we are psyched for the flag-off, here are some important last minute information for all runners.
Flag-off times
Route & Hydration Information
Log your time at JustRaceLah! – The Free App for Runners
Keep track of your results and progress by adding any of the 1000+ races of our database to your own portfolio. Keep your running memories organised and see your timings improving!
To mark the 10th edition of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon, there will be 10 new race features. The 10th feature is – to introduce new marathon and half marathon routes. To keep the race fresh and challenging, the Full and Half Marathon categories will have a new route that navigates around more of Kuala Lumpur’s iconic landmarks.
Photo Credits: Nagoya Women Marathon
Photo Credits: The Star
Photo Credits: Borneo Women Run
Photo Credits: Ah Mei
![My Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2018 [FM] (by Lingderella)](https://www.justrunlah.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/93EFFD8B-974B-47C2-B3C8-E2C4AC783FA5-768x1080.jpeg "My Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2018 [FM] (by Lingderella)")
Photo Credits: Visit London
Photo Credits: Chicago Tribune
Photo Credits: NY Times
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