HOKA ONE ONE launches Carbon X and Clifton 6

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June 1, 2019

Carbon X

The Carbon X is a formidable competitor. Made using never-before-seen HOKA ONE ONE® technology, this high-performance shoe features a specially engineered carbon fiber plate and an aggressive Meta-Rocker, designed to provide an efficient, propulsive ride. Our PROFLY X technology, a special combination of foams, employed with our trademark geometry, delivers an inherently stable, soft and responsive experience. Completed with a lightweight upper scrutinized through the lens of speed, the Carbon X is designed to empower athletes to fly.

Key features include:

Single layer engineered mesh upper offers breathability across forefoot
Embroidery reinforcement delivers a secure heel fit
Gusseted tongue provides a lightweight mid-foot lockdown
Early stage Meta-Rocker delivers an up-tempo ride
Light and resilient PROFLY X technology provides both a soft and propulsive experience
Carefully positioned Carbon fiber plate curls under the lateral toes to deliver a smooth transition through the gait cycle
Wider forefoot platform provides support and stability along with an accommodating and comfortable fit
Rubberized foam outsole offers a lightweight, responsive, yet durable ground contact

HOKA ONE ONE Carbon X is available at Running Lab Marina Square at S$299.

Clifton 6

The shoe that changed runners’ perceptions of what HOKA ONE ONE® could be, the Clifton 6 joins the award-winning Clifton family. Building upon the Clifton’s best qualities, the “6” continues to deliver that perfect combination of soft and light. The Clifton 6 has a smoother ride with a more comfortable fit and includes an embroidered design that improves lockdown without extra weight. Find your sweet spot in the Clifton 6.

Key features include:

Embroidery reinforcement reduces layers and offers support and midfoot lockdown
Reinforced eyestays provide increased durability
Early stage Meta-Rocker offers a smooth ride
Full compression EVA midsole provides signature HOKA ONE ONE® cushioning
Moderate heel bevel gives a smooth transition
Flat-waisted geometry provides inherent stability
Full ground contact design
Strategic high-abrasion rubber zones to reduce weight

HOKA ONE ONE Clifton 6 is available at Running Lab* stores (all locations) at S$219.

* Running Lab is a specialty running store retailing technically advanced running apparel, equipment and footwear. Staffed by sports trainers and experienced runners, they provide assistance to match the right shoe to your foot type and gait, helping to maximise your running performance and reduce risks of injuries. Their facilities include an in-house treadmill for gait analysis, as well as to allow customers to put their shoes to the test before deciding if the pair of shoes they are wearing are truly the right pair for them.

Key Information For Your OSIM Sundown Marathon Singapore 2019

By

Team JustRunLah!

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May 31, 2019

Asia’s biggest night run, OSIM Sundown Marathon Singapore 2019 is coming to you this weekend! Here are some important pieces of information for both runners and your cheerleaders!

Race Details

Race Date: 1 June 2019, Saturday
Venue: F1 Pit Building (1 Republic Boulevard, Singapore 038975)

Race Day Flag Off Timings

Race Category	Flag Off Timing	Cut off Timing
5km Fun Run	8:00 pm	2 hours 30 mins
10km Challenge	10:00 pm	2 hours 30 mins
21.1km Half Marathon	11:30 pm	4 hours 30 mins
42.195km Full Marathon	11:30 pm	8 hours

Race Day Schedule

Race Routes

OSIM SUNDOWN MARATHON SINGAPORE 2019 5KM ROUTE

*OSIM SUNDOWN MARATHON SINGAPORE 2019 10KM ROUTE*

*OSIM SUNDOWN MARATHON SINGAPORE 2019 21KM ROUTE*

*OSIM SUNDOWN MARATHON SINGAPORE 2019 42.195KM ROUTE*

Start Pen Feeding for Full & Half Marathoners

To ensure a smooth and safe start for our Half & Full Marathoners, runners are pre-assigned to the Start Pen entries based on your estimated finishing time indicated during registration.

Please take note of your assigned Start Pen Entry and proceed to the correct entry. Your race bib number also indicates which Start Pen Entry you should be entering from (i.e. AXXXXX, BXXXXX, CXXXXX).

Start Pen Entry points are located through the F1 Pit Garages. Please follow the directional signage at the Sundown Race Village. Runners in the 10 KM Challenge and 5 KM Fun Run are not pre-assigned to any Start Pen. Entry into the earlier waves is based on a first-come-first-served basis.

Race Village

Enjoy an array of exciting new experiences lined up at the race village till the break of dawn.

FREEDOM YOGA
1) Sunset Flow 1845HRS
An awesome pre-run warm & stretch or the perfect way to end your day.
2) Glow Yoga 2010HRS
A choreographed vinyasa class of flowing & breathing with the beat of the music. Experience the strength, grace & awareness of your breath & your body in a moving meditation-like flow from asana to asana. Connecting the breath, body & beat of the music from the inside out

MASSAGE ZONES
Enjoy a relaxing post-run massage presented to you by Salonpas. This will be provided to Half and Full Marathon runners from 0130HRS to 0630HRS (2 June).

FOOD & BEVERAGE
Whether you’re a runner looking to refuel after your run or simply a supporter, fuel your hunger needs through the night at the race village. Street Food vendors and Sawadeecup will be at the race village to satisfy all cravings.

MARVEL MOVIE NIGHT
1 June 2019 2045HRS – Marvel’s Black Panther
2 June 2019 0015HRS – Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL LIVE VIEWING PARTY
2 June 2019 0300HRS – SPURS VS LIVERPOOL

Runner’s Entitlements

Every runner who crosses the Finish Line within the stipulated cut-off timings of your race category will receive an OSIM Sundown Marathon 2019 Medal for your race category.

Full Marathon finishers who complete the race within the cut-off timing of 8 hours can collect their exclusive Full Marathon Finisher’s Tee when they cross the Finish Line.

Both the Medal (all categories) and Finisher Tee (Full Marathon) can only be collected at the event. There will be no mailing of either items after Race Day so do remember to pick up your entitlement(s) and wear it with pride!

Getting To And From the Village

VILLAGE ADDRESS
F1 Pit Building, 1 Republic Boulevard, Singapore 038975

BY MRT
– From Promenade MRT (Exit A). Proceed along Raffles Boulevard to the F1 Pit Building.
– From Bayfront MRT (Exit B). Proceed along Bayfront Avenue followed by Raffles Avenue to F1 Pit Building.
*Do note that several MRT stations along the East west Line will close earlier at 2300HRS on 1 June. Please check train service timings on SMRT website.

By Bus

By Car
Parking will not be available at the OSIM Sundown Marathon Race Village. Please consider the following possible parking locations nearby instead: Marina Bay Sands, Marina Square, Millenia Walk, Singapore Flyer, Suntec City.

By Taxi/Private Hire
Please instruct the taxi/ride operator to alight you at the Singapore Flyer. About 5 minutes walk to the Race Village.

By Shuttle Bus
Post-run shuttle bus pick-up services will be available for runners on 2 June 2019, at the various timings:
0000HRS | 0130HRS | 0300HRS | 0430HRS

Book your shuttle bus pass now at the ShareTransport App or website. For more information on how to purchase your ticket, visit HERE.

To all OSIM Sundown Marathon Singapore 2019 Runners,
all the best and sleep can definitely wait!

Celebrate Your Everyday Heroes at NUS Giving Run BIG (Believe in Giving)

By

Team JustRunLah!

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May 30, 2019

With the purpose of supporting and celebrating the everyday HEROES who have impacted the lives of others, NUS Giving will be organising NUS Giving Run BIG (Believe in Giving) on 29 September 2019, Sunday.

The event welcomes NUS students, staff, alumni and partners as well as members of the public, for a unique run experience around the vicinity of Singapore’s top university. NUS Giving Run BIG is NUS’ first not-for-profit run, with the theme of celebrating heroes – individuals and organisations that have made a positive impact to the lives of others, the event seeks to showcase how the spirit of gifting has benefited many within the NUS family – students and faculty alike.

Runners can choose from four categories – 10km Run, 10km Mixed Team, 5km Fun Run, and 1.2km Kids Dash. NUS will also be holding a contest where participants can nominate their heroes and stand a chance to win attractive prizes.

NUS Giving Run BIG (Believe in Giving) Entitlements Set

***FINISHER MEDAL (Upon Completion of the Run only)***

**NUS Giving Run BIG (Believe in Giving)**Tote Bag & Race Bib

NUS Giving Run BIG (Believe in Giving) Registration Fees

Nominate Your Hero

There is a hidden hero in everyone. If you know a hero, tell us. He or she could be a parent, a stranger, a friend, a family member, a co-worker or even a public figure. Heroes give hope and inspire a better world. Nominate your Hero. Spread the word.

For more information, check out more about NUS Giving Run BIG (Believe in Giving) here at JUSTRUNLAH!

World-Class Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon Announces New Evening Race Format For 2019; Bolsters Ambition for Abbott World Marathon Majors Bid

By

Team JustRunLah!

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May 28, 2019

Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon targets 2021 to meet all requirements for induction as member in Abbott World Marathon Majors series of events
New evening start, three-day format from 29 November
1 December caters to both competitive and casual runners

SINGAPORE – At a launch event today, the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) announced that the 2019 edition of the race will upgrade the athlete experience with a new 6:00pm evening flag off on Saturday 30 November for the Marathon, Half Marathon and Ekiden distances while shifting to a three-day event format. The Kids Dash will take place on Friday 29 November while the 5K and 10k races will take place on Sunday 1 December providing a distance for everyone. These steps were taken to further the appeal of the race for participants and spectators and is a significant step towards the goal of SCSM being inducted into the illustrious Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM), a series of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world. If successful, SCSM would become the seventh marathon within AbbottWMM joining the BMW Berlin Marathon, Boston Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Virgin Money London Marathon, TCS New York City Marathon, and the Tokyo Marathon.

“Since announcing the bid to join the Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2017, we’ve been working closely with our respective partners to improve the Singapore race experience for both runners and spectators. We have consulted Sport Singapore and the relevant government agencies and they have shared their support for the night race.” said Geoff Meyer, Managing Director for The IRONMAN Group in Asia. “Enhancements are happening every year to build up the event festivities as well as programs and initiatives that promote the running culture and community engagement in Singapore. We are now closer than ever to the required criteria and strongly believe that the change in flag-off time, and a number of other improvements over the next two editions will see more marathoners and community support than ever as we position ourselves to qualify in 2021.”

The SCSM has been recognised as a Gold Label event by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) since 2012 for its world-class excellence in global sporting significance, organisational quality, athletes’ safety and compliance with the IAAF Rules and Regulations. Singapore has shown it is an ideal year-round run destination to the international running community and will see the best elite and elite wheelchair division in event history. Since the inaugural race in 1982, the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon has grown to a globally significant event that attracts approximately 50,000 runners each year across all race categories from more than 125 countries, regions and territories.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth & Transport, Mr Baey Yam Keng, who was the Guest-of-Honour at the launch event, said, “The Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon has been a longstanding highlight on the regional sports calendar, attracting elite marathoners and running enthusiasts from Singapore and around the world annually. It is heartening that the organisers are continually improving the Singapore Marathon experience so that it can be among the best in the world. With the flag-offs on Saturday evening this year, I anticipate many more Singaporeans coming out to cheer on the runners and join in the excitement. I hope to see the Singapore Marathon join the ranks of the World Marathon Majors in 2021!”

2019 To Bring Significant Improvements to Athlete and Spectator Experience

The IRONMAN Group in Singapore is working closely with the local authorities to plan a spectator-friendly route through Singapore’s most iconic streets and modern architecture to give fans and runners a different perspective and intimate view of the city. From cultural and historical diversity to lush greenery and a buzzing metropolis that includes modern marvels such as the Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, and The Singapore Flyer, locals and run-cation visitors will be treated to a visual tour of the city-state.

For the first time, the Marathon, Half Marathon and Ekiden distances will flag off in the evening of Saturday, 30 November, a key evolution after ongoing consultation with the Abbott World Marathon Majors team and government stakeholders, which began in 2017. This will present a host of benefits for both competitive and casual runners. Most notably, cooler temperatures will lead to a better experience and performances for runners while creating an exciting race environment that takes full advantage of Singapore’s bright lights and night life.

Tim Hadzima, Executive Director of the Abbott World Marathon Majors said, “Today’s announcement is another step forward for the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon in their long-term aspiration of becoming an Abbott World Marathon Major. The changes for this year’s marathon are just a few parts of stringent criteria that we assess each year, as there are many stages of this process still to be met. We are excited to see how the runners react to the improvements that they will experience this year.”

To encourage added participation and support from the public, organisers are introducing all new spectator zones, which will feature a myriad of lifestyle and entertainment offerings. This will add to the more than 26 on-route entertainment points to create a vibrant and uplifting atmosphere for both runners and supporters.

“With SCSM, we have enjoyed a great run over the past 18 years. Making the World Marathon Major pitch this year is very meaningful for us at Standard Chartered as 2019 marks our 160th anniversary in Singapore. With the support of IRONMAN Asia, Sport Singapore and our partners, I am confident that we can make SCSM truly a world-class event and showcase the best of Singapore to our friends and supporters from around the world,” said Mr. Patrick Lee, CEO of Standard Chartered Singapore.

The 3-day event will kick off with the Kids Dash on Friday evening at 7:00pm while the 5km and 10km categories will flag off on Sunday morning at 8.30am and 6.30am respectively. To begin preparing for this year’s race, runners can now participate in training programmes such as the Women’s Squad, run with pacers or get involved in SCSM’s virtual running community on Strava, which will help runners put their best foot forward as they prepare for the race.

For more information, please visit Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2019 (Day 2). Standard Chartered Cardholders will enjoy 15% off registration fee across all categories.

Eat Your Water For A Better You

By

Team JustRunLah!

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May 27, 2019

It is advisable for you to drink 8 cups of water daily to keep yourself hydrated and to also take care of your skin. However, there some of you who couldn’t drink too much water or just don’t like to drink.

Great news for you, you can now eat your water. Yes, you read it right! Here’s are some foods that you can eat that contain a good amount of water which could also act as a hydrating tool for your body.

Apples – 84% Water
It is a nutritional powerhouse which contains important nutrients such as vitamin C and B-complex, dietary fibre and calcium. This fruit also boosts the immune system and is a great energy booster. Just like they said, an apple a day, keeps the doctor away!
Strawberries – 90% Water
Definitely, the popular pick to eat with your cakes or as a smoothie.
Watermelons – 92% Water
Known as the fruit with the most water content. Besides that, it is also high in fibre, minerals, and nutrients.
Iceberg Lettuce – 96% Water
It is high in water content and it is loaded with fibre.
Oranges – 87% Water
Rich in nutrients such as vitamins A, B and C and as well as calcium, magnesium and potassium. Regular intake of oranges can boost your immune system, reduce cholesterol levels and improve your skin.
Spinach – 96% Water
One cup of leaves contains 15% of your daily intake of vitamin E, which is an important antioxidant. It is also rich in lutein, potassium, fibre and brain-boosting folate.
Celery – 95% Water
It is great cancer-fighting food and is also good for your pancreas.
Grapefruit – 91% Water
It contains important electrolytes that help to prevent dehydration. It can also lower your insulin level, control your appetite and make your skin beautiful.
Tomatoes – 93% Water
Low in calories but high in vitamins and antioxidants.
Cucumbers – 96% Water
Rich in fibre, minerals and are cooling for the body.

OCBC Cycle 2019: The Straits Times Ride

By

stargazer

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May 27, 2019

OCBC Cycle is the biggest cycling event held annually in Singapore. This event allows cyclists to visit iconic landmarks and places of interest under closed road conditions. There were around 6800 participants in this year’s edition.

After a two years hiatus, I decided to participate this year’s Straits Times Ride with my friend Lian Chye (LC). Like last year, there is a discount for the Straits Times Run if you sign up for the OCBC Cycle. But I did not take up the bundle deal as I had not decided if I will be joining this year’s Straits Times Run.

Race Pack Collection

Race pack collections commenced on the 10th at The OCBC Arena, Sports Hub. Cyclists who wish to deposit their bikes at the Arena till race day could so. But their bikes must be identified by their bibs (sticker) and sufficiently secured as the organizer is not responsible for any loss.

The race pack itself contained just the bib, bib stickers, event shirt, and a water bottle. The ‘goodies’ did seem ‘pale’ in comparison with we what get from run races. Well, perhaps this was because the would-be goodies were already at the Expo at discounted prices?

There were many retailers at the Expo, including Garmin, Shimano, Rodalink and Key Power Sports. They offered a wide range of cycling related accessories, such as helmets, jerseys, lights and even energy gels.

Cyclists were also trying to locate their names in the ‘Participants Board’, a reminisce of the recent Income Eco Run.

First Day (11 May)

The competition at the Club and Corporate levels started as early as 6.30 am until 4.00 pm. It started raining at 10.30 am and caused some of the races to temporary stopped and delayed.

I went to give my support to the first slot of Family & Kids Ride at 4.40 pm. There were many parents taking part with their children, some of whom appeared less than five years old. All of them had fun cycling and spending quality time together.

Second Day (12 May)

The main categories on the 2nd day are The Sportive Ride (42 km) and The Straits Times Ride (23 km). Both rides visit the same scenic places around the city. Except that for the Sportive Ride, more distances were added to extend the routes to Pasir Panjang and East Coast Fort Road. Sportive Ride commenced at 5.15 am while Straits Times Ride started at 6.45 am.

LC stayed overnight at my home on Saturday. We discussed the route and locations where we planned to stop for photo shoots. The next morning we had a light breakfast and rolled our foldable bikes to take the first train to Sports Hub.

We arrived at 6.30 am. Some cyclists were still retrieving their bikes from the Arena although the majority of them would now be at the Start Point at Nicoll Highway.

We set up our bikes and proceed to make our way there with other cyclists. Volunteers offered us bottled water and 100 plus for hydration. After passing Kallang Wave Mall, Security Officers told us to dismount and pushed our bikes instead of riding as the pathway was not sufficiently broad for cycling.

There were several waves of flag offs due to a large number of cyclists. It was also safer as we need more space to manoeuvre our bikes. We belonged to the 2nd last wave (it appeared so), and we were flagged off at 7.15 am.

The Nicoll Highway and Republic Boulevard were familiar roads, as they were the usual parts of a run route at city area. We cycled along to F1 Pit, where we had our photo shoot with Gardens By The Bay and Singapore Flyer in the background. 10 mins later, we continued towards Bayfront Bridge and the Central Business District.

It is always refreshing to cycle at the CBD. But I think the road here was only partially closed as compared to full closure during Car Free Sunday. Perhaps it was not authorized for full closure today. One of the highlights in the route was a short ride through the MCE tunnel. Cycling at Expressway is not allowed in Singapore, so this was really a unique experience.

We took some rest when we reached the hydration point outside MBS Hotel. After that, we cycled to the top of the Benjamin Sheares Bridge. It was the most scenic part of the route and a recommended photo shoot area. Many cyclists briefly stopped here and enjoyed the surrounding scenery.

I am not sure about the 2017 and 2018 editions, but this year’s Straits Times Ride did not allow cyclists to cycle down the Benjamin Sheares Bridge Flyover. The road was blocked by ambulances and we were told to u-turn. Looking at the Sportive Ride’s route, cyclists appeared to be able to do so as the route goes all the way to East Coast Parkway and u-turned before Fort Road. Having experienced that before, I felt a sense of disappointment as the downslope brought out the most in terms of speed and adrenalin.

It wasn’t long before we exited Sheares Bridge and embarked on the return route to the Sports Hub via Nicoll Highway. It was getting hot, but I chose to cycle rather slowly to enjoy the last bit of the ride.

I reached the Finish Point inside the Sports Hub and collected the finisher medal and 100 plus for hydration. There wasn’t much post-ride activity. Cyclists were mingling around to rest, chat, and take photos at the photo booth.

We took some rest, before continuing our ride to East Coast Park for lunch at the East Coast Lagoon Food Village.

Comments

1) The organizer could consider having baggage deposits for the cyclists, similar to most of the run events.

2) I hope next year’s edition will remove the combi 3-in-1 medal concept. Cyclists have to take part in 3 consecutive years to complete a full gear medal. What if he/she is unable to attend one of the edition? Perhaps they could have a whole medal and another separate piece for that purpose, just like Spartan Race?

3) There are some comments that the fees are expensive. But in my opinion, the prices are still reasonable if you register early (bird), considering that it is the only cycling event in Singapore where you have major road closures for you to enjoy a scenic ride.

Ramadan Running

By

Team JustRunLah!

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May 24, 2019

muslim girl running beach — Credits: 123RF.com

We have recently entered the 2^nd half of the month of Ramadan. I bet by this time, most of us are already used to the fasting schedule, and this is actually the perfect time for you to include running or training for your next full marathon in your daily activities.

So before we continue, here’s a brief explanation of what Ramadan is for all our non-muslim friends.

Muslims abstain themselves from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk for the entire month of Ramadan. They fast, intending to be closer to God and to remind them of the suffering of those less fortunate. The daily fast begins immediately after the pre-dawn meal of Sahur and it continues during the daylight hours, ending with sunset with the evening meal of iftar.

So for those of you who are training for a marathon or wish to run daily in Ramadan, here are some tips for you!

Best Time to Run

Pre-iftar run – Set aside 1 hour right before breaking fast
Late night run – Run after you’ve done your late-night prayers and just in time when the food has digested.

There are days when you feel like you are high on energy and might probably go for a longer running session. But there also days when you feel low on energy. Those days, go for a short and slow run.

Hydrate Yourself As Much As You Can

Drink lots of water during sahur that could last you throughout your day and your pre-iftar run.
Similarly, drink lots of water during iftar too. If you plan to go for a run after the late-night prayers, remember to hydrate yourself before and after your run.

Take It Easy

Don’t do your running sessions on strenuous pathways which includes a lot of uphill. Try to run on a flat surface route as this will not be too taxing on your body while fasting
Also, take a break once in a while during your run.

OCBC Cycle 2019 Sportive Ride Review (By KenJoe)

By

KenJoe

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May 24, 2019

The OCBC Cycle was into its 11th year running, held on 12th May, two weeks after my Eco Run Half Marathon. I first signed up in 2015, then in 2016. Yes, after I started taking an interest in running. Looking back, those were the two years where a lot of stuff were happening in the ‘active’ phase of my life. But I was forced to take a hiatus from cycling in late 2016 because a bicycle accident broke two of my lumbar vertebrae (spine) and my left wrist as well. I spent the last two-plus years trying to get back to my pre-injury form even though I couldn’t say I was in good form then.

Still, I had continued to run despite the setback. Cycling and obstacle courses had become almost impossible in the meantime because of the persistent pain I suffered at the back and tailbone as a result of the accident.

The event pack collection was held at OCBC Arena over two days before the actual event, in conjunction with the Expo @ OCBC Cycle. It took me only 5 minutes to collect. The expo boasted the latest cycling gadgets, accessories and sports merchandise on sale and there were indeed a lot of folks trying out some of the accessories. I only bought some energy gel for my running races and two led lights for the front and rear of my bike. I decided to stick to my old basic helmet bought off Lazada from 2015 though I was tempted to get a new, more fitting helmet. I didn’t have the budget. For this event, there was also an online auction held in the evening, and the proceeds were donated to charity. I bid for the hydroflask and thought I would get it at $27. For the same price, because it was online (time lag), another bidder’s bid got through just milliseconds before me. So still, no hydration container for me on the bike to this day… yet.

Cyclists could also leave their bicycles in the hall overnight for free and save some hassle on the actual event day. I saw security guards, but it would still be at cyclists’ risks. I decided not to take this offer.

I had enrolled for the Sportive Ride 42 km. The other category is the Straits Times Ride – 23 km. About 6800 participants in total turned up that Sunday morning.

I got back to cycling only in early April due to my schedule. Another reason was also I needed to make time to get the bike back to Trek Technology to fix the front punctured tyre. (Ended up, I had to replace both!)

Checking my Strava, it was only on 10th Apr that I cycled 8.1 km in the safety of the connector park. Then other life events happened and also due to weather on some days, I ended up cycling a total of 54 km two weeks before the event, from 5 rides ranging from 3 km to 20 km. Then another 20 km ride on Tuesday before the event on Sunday, 12th May. I wouldn’t exactly advise on such low mileage before you do the 42 km sportive ride, but I believe I had benefited somewhat from all the training runs I had done this year. Plus, a bit of Faith – what is meant to be, would be. What I signed up for, I needed to commit and complete.

Again about 3 hours of sleep on the event morning, I loaded up my bike and reached the venue more than an hour before the official start time as requested by the organizer. But I could see that participants were streaming in still even near start time. It seemed like they were not as strict back in 2016.

The first wave started slightly late too. I was in wave C, but there were several sub-waves as I inched towards the start line with my bike. A few metres onwards, someone already fell off the bike somehow. I told myself to cycle slower this time and enjoy the view. There was not much scenery for most of the journey because it was dark. There were a lot of sharp turning, bends and curves and slopes, uphill and downhill, especially at the Benjamin Sheares Bridge. I stopped at one of the hydration points at the U-turn to get my thirst quenched with the 100 plus. After that, it was again non-stop until I reached the stadium. The downhills were exhilarating, and I was going at a maximum speed of 71 km/hr at certain points according to Strava. The uphills were straining but this time too, I didn’t have to stop.

During this event, I enjoyed it because I went ‘slower.’ But it was probably a state of mind that I didn’t have any falls, unlike the past two previous events. I ended up with a PB by my Garmin, 1:50 though it was about 40.6 km in total. The organizer did mention online it would be about 40.8 km due to certain limitation this year.

It was a pleasant experience considering everything that had happened in the last 3-4 weeks. I strongly recommend this event if you want to have the freedom of riding on Singapore roads and highways without interfering traffic lights and other vehicles. The roads are closed for the cyclists, which also meant that you need to reach certain checkpoints by specific timing. I managed to do the entire route without issue. The weather that morning was cooperative too, and it was cool mostly.

At the finishing point, I collected the medal, drank, and then walked the bike out of the stadium to the open area. I had time to take a photo because there were only three persons in the queue at the time. All in all, it is an enjoyable day with my faithful Trek with its two new tyres. Also, as part of the green initiative by OCBC Cycle, 140 trees were planted – 1 for every 50 cyclists. A little effort towards the green environment. Happy and Safe Riding.

Running Groups in the East: SSTAR.fitness Crew

By

Team JustRunLah!

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May 23, 2019

Are you bored of running alone? Why not join a running club?

With running clubs, it will enhance your running experience, create new friends and you might also notice improvements in your performance. Fret not, there might actually be running clubs around your area! If you wish to run stronger, smarter and faster, SSTAR.fitness Crew is perfect for you!

Read more to find out what’s special about SSTAR.fitness Crew.

SSTAR.fitness Crew’s Purpose

To build a running community where everyone runs Stronger, Smarter and Faster. We welcome beginners to Boston marathon qualifiers and everyone gets to train at the pace you wish. We have a buddy system so you will never run alone. We follow the SSTAR.fitness training program, where you can Run Less, Run Faster.

SSTAR.fitness Crew’s Where and When

Singapore Sports Hub, meet outside the Library every Thurs 6:30 pm and Saturday morning outside OCBC Arena 6:30 am

How to join SSTAR.fitness Crew

Sign up on our Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/sstar.fitness and fill up the online registration form.

10 Special things about the SSTAR.fitness Crew

Weekly QnA with qualified running coaches just before training every week in a comfortable air-conditioned classroom setting.
Time-trials and fitness tests every quarter to measure and track your progress online.
We follow a global, proven training methodology from the Furman Institute of Running and Scientific Training (F.I.R.S.T.), For the time-crunched, busy executive, you can run less, yet run faster. https://www.runnersworld.com/…/run-your-best-marathon-with…/
Pacer-led training runs, you will be grouped into teams of the same fitness and speed and be assigned a training buddy. You can run with people at your pace.
Every training session and workout is different, yet it is tailored to meet your race goals from 5k to the marathon
Every 6 weeks, we complete a training mesocycle, and you get to compare your fitness level six weeks ago. Chart your progress and train as hard or easy as you wish.
Our training routes are 100% on safe park connectors, no cars, no junctions, no interruptions. We have options allowing us to train uninterrupted under shelter, rain or shine.
Isotonic drinks provided after training. Chilled and refreshing.
Safe, secure bag deposit in a seminar room or in free lockers
Discounts for products from leading sports brands for active members

Looking for more running groups in your area? Check out JustRunLah!‘s comprehensive list of running clubs near you.

Bangkok Midnight Marathon

By

Team JustRunLah!

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May 22, 2019

The third edition of the Bangkok Midnight Marathon (BMM) is back! It will take place on 25th August 2019, starting at Sanam Chai Road and finishing at Sao Ching Cha (Giant Swing) in Bangkok, Thailand.

As this is one of the few night races across the region, runners will get a different experience running through the cool temperature, quiet surroundings and closer to the historical, religious sites, cultural and rich heritage landmarks where Bangkok has been known for.

BMM is one of the only three IAAF/AIMS-certified road races in Bangkok and as a certified course, the event adhered to strict measurement criteria to ensure the accuracy of the race distances and also the safety of all participants are of paramount concern in planning for this event.

Bangkok is notorious for its heavy traffic flow, but BMM allow runners to run on the same tarmac where tuks tuks and colorful taxi buzzes around during most part of the day and at the same time , being greeted by the stunningly brightly lit landmarks and the cool breeze. Runners will be whizzing around the Victory monument (where the famous boat noodles are), be inspired by the majestic looking King Chulalongkorn Statue, get a picturesque view of Chao Phraya River from the Rama VIII Bridge or feel the aura from the sacred Wat Saket (Temple of the Golden Mount) before dashing towards the finishing line at the Red Giant Swing!

Scroll to the bottom for exclusive registration/discounts promo codes
for all JRL members

Another unique feature of BMM is that it focuses on what Bangkok has to offer: its amazing food culture. Unlike most other running events in the region where snacks, fruits, and drinks are being served, finishers at BMM will be extremely happy to know that a local delights feast awaits them upon their completion, besides the race’s entitlements such as the finisher medals and t-shirts!

After putting their bodies to the test, finishers of BMM may choose to take a short rest after the event at their own leisurely pace before resuming their free and easy tour down local streets, indulge in happy shopping time at local shopping malls or night markets and could even throw in a massage or two before flying home. Well, isn’t that what most of us travel to Bangkok for?

Event Details

When: 25th August 2019
Where: Sanam Chai Road
Flag off time: 00:59 am onward
Registrations fee:

For more information, please visit http://www.bangkokmidnightmarathon.com/

Enjoy exclusive registration / discounts for all JRL members when you register here with the promo codes below:
~ Full Marathon – 42km Promo Code: JR42-71974 (200 baht off Original Price of 2,400 baht)
~ Half Marathon – 21km Promo Code: JR21-16394 (200 baht off Original Price of 2,200 baht)
~ 10km Promo Code: JR10-24322 (Exclusive registration: 700 baht)

My Supersports 10 Mile International Run Series Thailand – Bangkok [10Mile] (by Lingderella)

By

Lingderella

-

May 21, 2019

Wooohoooo! Runcation! ? And it’s Bangkok again this time to participate in Supersports 10 Mile International Run Series Thailand! ? Though I went to Bangkok just a few months ago in February to shop, eat, sight-see as well as to participate in Amazing Thailand Marathon but I’ll never complain of having too many runcations! ?

To me, a trip to anywhere overseas would be most awesome when a race is included. Now I would always search for races available in that country that I wanted to go and go during race period ? Thailand is one of the countries that also have many running races throughout the entire year and is just conveniently a 2 to 3 hours flight from Singapore. Got bus to travel there also lah just that whether the buttocks, legs and back can tahan the journey or not ?

It’s held on 19 May, a super good date to travel as it’s a long weekend in Singapore! ? Supersports 10 Mile International Run Thailand is organised by Supersports (Thailand Number 1 sports retail store) and Skechers and part of the entry fees will be donated to charities. There is trophy and prize money for the top 3 runners of each category of gender and age group and even SEA games athletes also participated in this race!

It’s a series of 5 races throughout the year and spread out over Thailand. Bangkok was the 3rd race of the series ? I didn’t go to the first 2 races which were held in Hatyai and Phuket as I didn’t know about this series of races before. There’re still another 2 races of the series in Korat and Chiang Mai coming up ? Chiangmai would be awesome as it will also be held on 27 October during our long weekend period and also the weather in end October would be quite cooling for a shiok run! Don’t say bo jio ? Click here to sign up ? Race entry also sibeh cheap cheap 500Baht (Only about SGD20 lah! ? I think the Skechers race singlet itself is worth more than S$20 already) for the 10-mile category and even cheaper for the 5-mile run. I didn’t know of Korat before, Earth is huge, I should go about exploring more places through runcations! ?

Flag off was conveniently outside Central World at 4.40am just 5 minutes walk from the hotel that I was staying in. Other than the run, I seriously enjoyed shopping at Central World and at Big C supermarket as well ? And of course, I’d visited Erawan Shrine that’s so close by to pray for an easy run ?It’s so nice to see Rey from Singapore at the run! ? Out of about 10 thousand strong runners, Rey managed to spot me at the start pen!

The 5-mile runners were flagged off just minutes before the 10-mile runners. There are just a mere slight 5 minutes of delay as many of the 5-mile runners were still heading to the pen to start their run. Though the 10-mile runners were all segregated into different pen queues, we all ended up all into the same pen for flag off.

There are quite a number of hydration points along the route with both cold water and cold Gatorade and the volunteers were so nice to hand out the drinks to the runners ❤ It was a warm and humid morning but still alright to run in as even by the time I completed the run, it’s only the break of dawn and the Sun wasn’t really out yet.

At first, I was worried that I would run the wrong route as it’s 2 different loops and some part of the route was repeated but I couldn’t really differentiate the streets because they look similar. The directional signs were all well displayed and prominent and I finished the 10 miles as 16.07km on my sports watch. It’s my first run that calculates the distance by miles and I’m really not used to it as I was doing the maths converting miles to km whenever I see the distance boards.

Though the road was not entirely blocked off for the runners because it’s like the prime city area, but it was still awesome and traffic was very well controlled by the many many traffic police officers and the road marshals throughout the entire course ? Though I was caught thrice in the traffic lights but it wasn’t really a big issue for me as these were all just very short stop in less than 30 seconds and before I could use the time to catch my breath it’s time to start running again ?

Upon finishing the run, I was handed a super chio and colourful medal ? Then the volunteer passed me a food coupon and I headed to explore the race village.
I wondered did I actually participated in a running race or I had also just walked into a food festival ?There are fruits such as watermelon and bananas and there are so many food and drink stations in the race village! ? There are so many drinks stall around that I am sure no runners would go back thirsty. It’s just so fantastic to have choices of what to drink, there’s ice water, Gatorade, Heineken which contains no alcohol and Meiji’s High Protein Milk which I kept going back for more ?

For the food there’s also a wide selection of choices such as the Hainanese Chicken rice, pork congee, pork fried rice, fish maw soup and I settled with fish rice porridge as it looked delicious and it didn’t disappoint me ? Though I have 3 coupons, I only used 1 coupon as I didn’t want to waste the food as I was already quite full and I needed to save some stomach area for coconut ice cream and Thai milk tea at Chatuchak Weekend Market during my shopping spree afterwards ?

Yes yes, after the 16km run, my legs were not tired yet and could still go for jalan jalan ? I think it might be the magic of my new pair of Skechers performance shoes, it’s super lightweight and good cushioning that my feet didn’t feel so heavy and sore like it usually do after a long run!

I find many female runners in Taiwan and Thailand very pretty ? Even the female pacers for this run were all so pretty that they can easily pass off as models or artistes. You see you see:

(Credits: Supersports 10 Mile International Run)
I love the Thais eyebrows especially, it’s drawn so nicely and they still look so pretty even after the long run. I tried drawing my eyebrows but at the end of my run they looked melted like ice cream ?

While I was leaving to make my way back to the hotel to shower, I spotted this line of vans parked by the roadside of the race village and they are toilets! ? Didn’t think of going in to have a look but I’ve heard that it’s super clean and comfy and there’s even music to enjoy while doing whatever business inside! Singapore races should consider using these types of van instead of the portable loo, could save plenty of time that was used to handle and transport the portable loo as well.

Race results, e-certificate as well as race photos were out super efficiently on the race day itself ❤

So far for Bangkok’s International Run I’ve participated in Amazing Thailand Marathon and this Supersports 10 mile run and they’re both nothing to be fussy about as these were the most awesome races I’ve participated so far in South East Asia ?

Last year, I participated in Skechers Friendship Walk in Singapore and it was honestly one of the most fun events that I’ve participated in as there are many activities offered at the race village in exchange of getting a free gift and to stand chances to win a whole year supplies of shoes. Hopefully, there’s another Skechers event coming up soon back home in Singapore and looking forward to participating in more Skechers events! ?

Smart Factory Half Marathon – Combining Automotive and Marathon Culture

By

Team JustRunLah!

-

May 17, 2019

The Great Wall Motors 2019 Smart Factory Half Marathon is Great Wall Motors’ first marathon and the first car manufacturing base marathon in China. The event has recently been announced to be held on 2 June 2019 at the Great Wall Motors Test Site in Baoding, Hebei Province, consisting of three categories: Half marathon (21.0975 km), a healthy run (8 km) and a family run (2.6 km). Participants will be witnessing the top-notch automotive technology in the country’s most advanced car manufacturing plant.

Marathon in a car manufacturing base – The most expensive track in history

It will be the first of its kind where runners will be running through the Xushui manufacturing base, which cost more than 30 billion Chinese Yuan. It will be the perfect marathon course where participants can expect to run their best results.

The course starts from the high-altitude runway to the pressing workshop, and stretches to the welding workshop, followed by the assembly workshop. It runs through the entire Xushui manufacturing base including the high-altitude runway which has a maximum speed limit of 240km/h. Participants will be immersing themselves as though running through scenes in sci-fi blockbusters, releasing power and energy from their bodies, as they unveil the mystery of SUV manufacturing in the world-class high-tech automotive manufacturing plant.

The various marathon events in China and abroad are mainly held in urban settings. This event combines the extensive mass participation culture of marathons with the industrial civilisation and development culture of the automotive industry. This not only enriches the marathon culture but also created a new benchmark for China’s automotive companies and marathon events.

Garmin® introduces the stylish Forerunner® 245/245 Music GPS smartwatch for the serious runner

By

Team JustRunLah!

-

May 16, 2019

Advanced runners can now learn to train better and smarter with the addition to the Garmin® Forerunner® series – the Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music, bringing an option with integrated music capabilities for the advanced runner.

Building upon one of Garmin’s most popular GPS running smartwatches, the Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music include even more data and advanced training, safety and tracking features¹ to help runners improve. The Forerunner 245 Music holds up to 500 songs and lets users sync playlists from select preloaded music streaming services², like Spotify® and Deezer, or transfer music from a computer.

Available online with free delivery from JustRunLah! at https://wejust.run/Garmin245

Train safer with the Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music
Designed with the runner in mind, the new Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music will not only track a run, but will monitor stats, crunch the numbers and get to know all about the runner’s performance, training history, goals and more. A newly introduced Body BatteryTM feature will help the user plan the day for activity and rest by using the collected data to gauge the user’s energy reserves at any moment.

Using the new Running Awareness feature, Users can pre-set emergency contacts so the smartwatch will automatically share your location with them when a potential incident such as a fall is detected.

Thoughtfully designed for serious runners to train smart
The Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music is engineered with lightweight materials for easy running and an intuitive 5-button design that is easy to operate with or without gloves, and in any weather condition. The watches include an always-on, sunlight-readable display with GPS, all-day activity tracking³, smart notifications, wrist-based heart rate, and new safety and tracking features³ that allow users to share their real-time location with chosen contacts in case they need help.

Available online with free delivery from JustRunLah! at https://wejust.run/Garmin245

Train with Garmin Coach
Garmin users can now get custom training plans to train for a 5K run with the help of three running coaches – Jeff Galloway, Greg McMillan and Amy Parkerson-Mitchell – through Garmin Coach to guide and motivate them. Garmin Coach also offers free training plans that adapt based on a runner’s goals and performance.

Push your limits with advanced training features
Offering personalized training and recovery insight, both the Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music include performance monitoring tools like VO2 max and training status with adjustments for heat, recovery time and aerobic and anaerobic training effects. With the addition of a Running Dynamics Pod or compatible heart rate strap, athletes can go even further with their running data, seeing all six running dynamics right on the watch. Even after a workout, the Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music feature additional tools to track a runner’s well-being, including a wrist-based Pulse Ox sensor⁴ that will help gauge how oxygen is being absorbed.

The Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music is a fuss-free reliable training companion with outstanding battery life – up to 7 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, up to 24 hours in GPS mode and up to 6 hours in GPS mode with music.

Pricing and Availability
The Forerunner 245 is available in Slate Grey and Amp Yellow, an exclusive colour for Southeast Asia and Japan. The Forerunner 245 Music is available in Black, Aqua and Lava Red (exclusive colour for Southeast Asia). Both versions will be available from 18 May 2019 at a recommended retail price of SGD 459 and SGD 529 respectively at all authorised retailers.

Available online with free delivery from JustRunLah! at https://wejust.run/Garmin245

To learn more, visit garmin.com.sg/minisite/forerunner/

The Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music is the latest solution from the ever-expanding Garmin fitness segment, which focuses on developing technologies to enhance and promote healthy and active lifestyles. Whether running, cycling, swimming or simply looking to stay active throughout the day, Garmin fitness devices can help athletes of all levels reach their health and fitness goals.

¹ When paired with a compatible smartphone. For safety and tracking features requirements and limitations, see Garmin.com/en-US/legal/idtermsofuse
² Requires premium subscription with a third-party music provider
³ Activity tracking accuracy
⁴ This is not a medical device and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or monitoring of any medical condition; see Garmin.com/ataccuracy, Pulse Ox is not available in all countries.

5 Signs Inflammation is Hurting Your Quality of Life

By

Team JustRunLah!

-

May 16, 2019

Life slowly but surely takes its toll on our bodies. As we age, a variety of day-to-day actions become more difficult. These challenges – often brought on by poor diet, lack of exercise and other unhealthy habits – can be increasingly difficult to overcome with age. Many of these conditions result in pain that can further inhibit our ability to live active, healthy lives.

Perhaps the most common ailment that people struggle with as they age is inflammation. This natural and vital response to stress and injury can appear in virtually every part of the body, but most often pops up in joints and extremities. Inflammation can occur under basically any situation: from vigorous exercise to underlying health issues, this ailment can be a menace to our daily routines.

While inflammation is a natural and common physical experience, there are some situations in which it becomes too much. Many sufferers utilize natural anti-inflammatories like curcumin to relieve pain and discomfort, but what should you look for to determine if it’s time to take action? Here are five signs that inflammation is hurting your quality of life beyond what’s acceptable.

You Suffer from Daily Joint Pain

While it’s perfectly natural to feel sore or have aches after a strenuous day, those who suffer from chronic inflammation need little to no obvious excuse for this pain. Inflammation that causes aches and pain most commonly surfaces in various joints, including the knees, elbows, ankles and shoulders. This pain can severely limit the amount of physical activity you participate in and ultimately makes it difficult to enjoy life from day to day. For joint pain, it’s important to get to the bottom of the situation: here, Vitamonk discusses what to take for inflammation.

You Break Out in Rashes

While pain in bones and joints are most commonly considered the primary form of inflammation, there are other ways in which it can manifest. One such example is in the form of a number of rashes, which is the skin’s response to infection, stress or other stimuli. This can include conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and even shingles (herpes zoster). Rashes can also develop when you are experiencing a chronic allergic reaction to something around you: finding the source of this problem is crucial in restoring your quality of life.

You Are Constantly Congested

Virtually every part of the body can become inflamed due to a plethora of health conditions and problems. This includes the respiratory tract and sinuses, which respond to inflammation somewhat differently than other parts of the body. Those who are chronically experiencing congestion, coughing and/or excessive mucus production may be experiencing at its core a form of inflammation. If every day is met by difficulty breathing or smelling, then consulting with a medical professional on how to end this will lead to a better quality of life.

You Have Digestion Issues

Dietary choices, allergic reactions and inherent genetic conditions can all cause digestive problems. For those who have trouble making it through each day without bloating, constipation, diarrhea and abdominal/intestinal pain are likely suffering from some form of inflammation. This can be due to specific food allergies or the result of a variety of conditions such as IBS/IBD and Crohn’s disease. Digestive inflammation often needs medical treatment to improve, so do not ignore these signs.

You Are Always Tired

It turns out that when the body is constantly fighting infection or damage by producing inflammation, that can leave you feeling drained. At their core, many individuals’ struggles with fatigue, lethargy and energy levels in general are caused by one or more forms of inflammation. This can manifest through conditions such as rheumatoid diseases, arthritis and even cancer. As such, you shouldn’t put off seeing a doctor if your quality of life is suffering due to having no energy.

Inflammation can affect any part of the body, and the causes for inflammation can be numerous. If inflammation is negatively impacting your quality of life, then consider these five examples and be sure to seek medical assistance – your happiness and health are worth it.

100-Day Challenge Mission Accomplished!

By

Maylindateo

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May 15, 2019

I have successfully completed running at least 10km a day every day for 100 days straight! I’ve never missed a single day of running, no matter how tired I was. This is a challenge I set for myself to test my perseverance and fitness potential. I had previously written something about this challenge when I was on my 28th day. You can read it here.

What happened after that 28th day? I kept running every day toward my goal. This challenge gave me a sense of purpose and served as a motivation to jump out of bed every morning.

I ran at a nearby park most of the time, occasionally on the running track, and sometimes explored new places when I feel adventurous. On one of my running days, I picked up two bags of litter on the street, also known as “Plogging”, which was inspired by a Runkeeper challenge. I also took part in a Terry Fox Run 10K, explored parts of the coast-to-coast trail route and had fun running from checkpoint to checkpoint and completing quests! It was indeed an exciting experience as I spotted a wide range of wild animals in their natural habitat such as baby wild boars (a.k.a running watermelons) near the reservoir to meeting a black spitting cobra (talking about luck!). All these are precious memories during this 100-day journey, which will stay with me forever.

A strange thing that happened to me during this period was, both my lower legs experienced the extreme itchy sensation. It happened after slightly more than one month of running every day. The itch could get very very unbearable, without visible rash. I only developed fierce red rashes after I accidentally applied an expired cream. I googled and found out that this is called exercise-induced histamine response.

Histamine is a substance in the body that is most commonly associated with an allergic reaction. But researchers are beginning to understand that histamine also plays a role in exercise. According to an old popular theory, it had to do with blood vessel expansion. The body expands the blood vessels during exercise to help bring more oxygen and nutrients to the working muscles and eliminate carbon dioxide and waste products. The idea is when blood vessels expand after a period of inactivity, the surrounding nerves, unused to the phenomenon, mistakenly register the expansion as itchiness. One Japanese study showed that histamine might be released during exercise to help protect the body against exercise-induced fatigue or exhaustion. Unfortunately, histamine also sends itch signals to the brain. I took antihistamine pill once in a while if the itch affected my sleep and it did help a little. I read that I should continue exercising (running) and eventually, the itch would be gone once my body/legs adapted. And yes, after about two months, now it is gone.

I also experienced on and off shin pain and lower leg pain. I would take it easy on days when I had pain but I was still clocking mileage. The discomfort would go away after a few slow runs. I quickly learned that by running every day, the body and legs go through a learning process, learning how to cope with the extra physical demand, run on tired legs and overcome training barriers. Perseverance and determination can break the barriers and achieve what you once thought impossible. Eventually, running 10km every day becomes easy and natural. If you persist, your body will adapt.

As I complete the mission that I set out to do, my stamina and fitness level has improved. I am proud, satisfied and feel that my life is immeasurably enriched. I feel lucky to be able to complete this challenge without any injuries. I am thankful for this positive influence and consistency in my life. Even though I am much tanner now thanks to the relentless sun exposure, I am also healthier and fitter than ever. I have lost 4 kgs of body weight (unintentionally) which makes me feel lighter and better.

Lastly, if you are excited, driven and willing to put in the necessary time, you will surprise yourself with what you can accomplish.

Happy running, everyone!

Chengdu Marathon Announced as Abbott World Marathon Majors Candidate Race

By

Team JustRunLah!

-

May 14, 2019

mf840-02632076 — Photo Credit: www.gochengdu.cn

The China Athletic Association, Chengdu Municipal People’s Government, Wanda Group and the Abbott World Marathon Majors have announced that the Chengdu Marathon is an official candidate race for the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM).

As a candidate race, the Chengdu Marathon will begin a long-term, multi-year evaluation process conducted by the AbbottWMM. The Chengdu Marathon is the first marathon race in China to be nominated as a candidate race, aspiring to join the esteemed ranks of the Tokyo Marathon, the Boston Marathon, the Virgin Money London Marathon, the BMW Berlin Marathon, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and the TCS New York City Marathon as a member of the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors in a few years’ time.

Marathon running is the most rapidly developing mass participation sports event in China. According to official statistics from AbbottWMM, 6,155 runners from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan participated in the Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2018.

One key element of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, alongside the elite series, is the Six Star program where everyday runners aim to complete all six majors in their lifetime in order to receive a special Six Star Finisher medal. So far more than 6,000 runners globally have achieved this.

The inaugural Chengdu Marathon took place in 2017, co-hosted by the Chinese Athletic Association and the Chengdu Municipal People’s Government and the 2019 edition will take place on October 27, 2019. Since its establishment, the marathon has been striving to become the most influential and popular marathon in China.

After Wanda Sports became the organizer and promoter in 2018, with its unique course setting, perfect logistics support and great participation experience, the comprehensive level of the competition has been significantly improved and won unanimous praise from runners and media.

Over the past two years, the Chengdu Marathon has attracted 48,000 runners from over 54 countries and regions, becoming an emerging power in the marathon race series in China.

Chengdu is located in the center of the Sichuan Province, southwestern China. It is the capital of Sichuan Province and is home to 16 million people. It’s also the scientific and technological center, trade center, financial center, transportation and communication hub of Southwestern China. Chengdu is a famous historical and cultural city that attracted 15 million tourists globally last year. Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is also very popular among international tourists which is less than 10 kilometers drive from downtown.

The conservation project has been very successful since 1980s with the number of giant pandas growing from just six to more than 100. Chengdu will be hosting the World Games in 2025, as part of the cities acceleration in pace to develop a sports-tourism friendly environment.

The 2019 Chengdu Marathon was also launched and race registration will open in June. The scale of the race will further expand, and the overall number of participants will increase to 30,000. In order to fit the international image of the competition, the event name will be changed from “Chengdu International Marathon” to “Chengdu Marathon”. In addition, the prize money, athlete service level, the internationalization level of organization and the course design will be upgraded comprehensively.

The course map of the race is being further optimized on the basis of last year, to reduce the short distance turn-backs in the second half of the race to improve the performance of the athletes. The course will link the present with the past, as the runners will get to fully immerse themselves in the elegant historical city and the splendid late autumn scenery.

The race will start from the Jinsha Site Museum, pass through the Qintai Road, Wangjiang Pavilion and other historical and cultural attractions. The second half of the course will mostly cover the “Golden passage”- Tianfu Avenue, which has forged Chengdu into a highly international city.

(Article Source: www.worldmarathonmajors.com)