The 5 August run was organised by The Gardens Mall and Mid Valley Megamall to support the protection of the environment and sustainable use of natural resources
KUALA LUMPUR, 6 AUGUST 2018: Jointly organised by The Gardens Mall and Mid Valley Megamall, the Mid Valley City Charity Run (MVCCR) 2018 was held for its fifth consecutive year on 5 August. This year, the charity run saw its first collaboration with Global Environment Centre (GEC) to promote environmental education as well as toraise awareness on global environmental issues. MVCCR aims to support the protection of the environment and the sustainable use of natural resources.
In total, 2,000 runners gathered at Mid Valley City at 6 AM to gear up to run a 5km route on the Mid Valley Ring Road, including running through the two shopping malls. All participants’ registration fees, amounting toRM100,000 was channeled to GEC’s efforts. Before the flag-off time at 7 AM, a mock cheque for RM100,000 was presented by Elizabeth Tan, Executive Director of IGB REIT Management Sdn Bhd to Dr K Kalithasan, Coordinator of GEC’s River Care Programme.
“We are encouraged to see that people are even more inspired to run to raise funds for a good cause,” says Antony Patrick Barragry, CEO of IGB REIT. “As corporate citizens, we want to actively help alleviate the environmental issues that affect our local communities. This year, we hope to support, to the best of our abilities, our non-profit beneficiary GEC, and we admire their commitment to the cause,” he added.
At 6.30AM, Celebrity Fitness Malaysia hosted a warm-up session for all participants. The flag-off time at 7 AM signified the start of the run for all runners. Runners who completed the run received a finisher medal to commemorate the experience and achievement. Each participant also received an exclusive New Balance high-quality running shirt, and various vouchers and gifts. This year, a little extra effort and some observant eyes during the run earned lucky runners the chance to win SUUNTO watches from Solar Time.
In addition, the run also featured other key partners including Citibank, 100 Plus, Ice Mountain Mineral Water, Milo and New Balance. Refreshments from tenants including Auntie Anne’s, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Delectable by Su, Lavender, Moo Cow, and The Chicken Rice Shop were scheduled to be available for all runners after the run at the event area from 7.15AM till 9.00AM.
Shoppers who visited The Gardens Mall’s South Palm on the Ground Floor from 27 July to 5 August were able to witness the photo exhibition held in collaboration with GEC to learn more about GEC’s conservation efforts. GEC community merchandise were on sale at the booth, such as accessories made from waste materials by Island Ranger Seri Pangkor Community and handicrafts made by Friends of North Selangor Peat Swamp Forest Association. The booth also welcomed first-come, first-served registration from members of the public for GEC’s monthly tree planting activity, an annual activity aimed at conserving the various species of the North Selangor Peat Swamp Forest and restoring the deteriorated area to its former glory.
It’s the race 3 of the series and this time it was held at Bedok Reservoir. Bedok Reservoir is a nice place to run and I’ve been there a couple of times before to run ? It was a happy morning for me as I had enough sleep and had saved a lot on traveling time as Fannie is kind to tompang Eleanor and me to the race site ?
After 3 REPC, which was held at a very not so convenient place for me, I really hope that if there’s any TPS series next year, runners that registered for the entire series are able to collect all of the bibs and race tees at once, it’s also like a privilege to encourage runners to sign up for the entire series right? ? Though now I am contemplating of giving up running race 4 of the series as it clashes with Great Eastern Women’s Run! ? It’s the only run that I ran without fail yearly for the past 3 years since I started running.
Flag off was on time at the usual 7.30am. Race route was 2 loops of Bedok Reservoir and there’s a super long slope to run up ? But when there’s upslope also means that there would be the shiok and happy downslope ? The downslope was quite steep and while running down I was thinking if I tripped I can really reach the end of the downslope the fastest way by rolling down ? While at the second loop I was thinking I shall take a rest and walk all the way up for the coming upslope but lucky me, runners do not need to run up the scary slope for the second loop. I was also disappointed a bit actually because I have no excuse to walk already but to keep running ? Never study route map some more lah! ?
There’s many photographers along the route to take many photos for runners too! Really thankful for their hard work ?
(Photo credits: Ang Chi Song)
It was pretty hot already by the time I was on the second loop, Sun was out but luckily it’s not too hot yet. The terrain is mostly gravel and I find it not easy to run on. Public toilets were available throughout the entire park and there’s 2 hydration points spaced out along the route which meant runners would total run pass hydration points 4 times which had kept the runners pretty hydrated. The route was slightly over distance as many of my friends and my running watches showed 10.2 to 10.3km.
Hahahaha! Though I don’t have the habit of choping a table in hawker centre or kopitiam with tissues and umbrellas, but I find the medal so Singaporean and cute lah! ?
Back for its sixth edition, The Color Run – 2018 Hero Tour, is proudly presented by Union Pay. The Color Run Singapore aims to give their valued Color Runners a fresh new experience each time they participate. Therefore this year, they strive to soar to greater heights with their brand new hero-themed tour!
Get your powers super-charged as you crash through double the colour in their brand new SUPER colour zones, and then take off and fly through skies of dreamy foam clouds! Here, anything is possible, and you are unstoppable! After you’re covered from head to toe in different colours, celebrate and reward yourself at the Finish Festival – filled with music, dancing, and more colour throws.
The Happiest 5km on the Planet
The Color Run, also known as the Happiest 5k on the Planet, is a unique paint race that celebrates healthiness, happiness, and individuality. Now the largest running series in the world, The Color Run has been experienced by over 6 million runners worldwide in 35+ countries. The event is returning to Singapore on Saturday, 29 September, at 4 pm, for its sixth year!
IMPORTANT – How The Event Works
This is it, its the time of your life to take part in such a fun event! The Color Run is a five-kilometer, un-timed event in which thousands of participants, or “Color Runners”, are doused from head to toe in different colors at each kilometer.
With only two rules, the idea is easy to follow:
Wear white at the starting line!
Finish plastered in color!
After Color Runners complete the race, the fun continues with an unforgettable Finish Festival. This larger than life party is equipped with music, dancing and massive color throws, which create millions of vivid color combinations. Trust us, this is the best post-5K party on the planet!
This year, Siem Reap hosts its 5th Khmer Empire Marathon and turn out for the run since it first started has increased exponentially. If I heard the host correctly, this year the largest international runners turn out was from China, followed by Japan.
Race Pack Collection:
Race pack collection was a breeze and no major hiccups there. Location of the collection is at Apsara Angkor Resort. No vendors were on site to sell anything. However, you may do a donation of any amount for charity (donation will benefit the less fortunate and kids hospital in Cambodia) if you choose to do so.
Early Sunday morning – Race day:
The Half Marathon start time was at 5.30am. It was still dark when the race started and you should make your way to the race site early. Music was loud and festivities were engaging.
All runners raring to go
After a quick speech by the VIP on stage, the race was flagged off on time. The day before the race, I had a paid tour around Angkor Wat so for most parts of the route, I have already seen the setting up of medical tents and water points done up.
Running along the moat outside of Angkor Wat
If you want a rough idea what the route consists of, here are some of the details that you may like to know:
Race route:
The run surrounds 3 main structures (Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm). You basically start off in front of the majestic Angkor Wat and run towards Ta Prohm. Then approach Angkor Thom from the east and enter it from Victor Gate. After running within the temple for about 4km, you will exit the temple at the South Gate and you will be on your way to finish line in the next 2km or so.
Entering the Victor Gate from East of Angkor ThomExiting South Gate of Angkor Thom
We were blessed with the perfect cloudy weather for this run. Like most other runs in Asia, you do have to assume a certain amount of risk when it comes to traffic.
Countries like Cambodia do not have traffic lights and proper road signs in this part of the remote Siem Reap.
I would not recommend listening to music but just enjoy the sound of your surroundings.
Running along the entire route is mainly on asphalt and water point is readily available every 2 km. There are also public toilets along the route to be used. I strongly beseech you as a runner to dispose your trash where they should rightfully go. You will not believe me but the roads are extremely clean to begin with. Kids will stand along the roads to give you “high fives” but I decided to have a little fun and try something different with the kids. From a distance, I showed them my fist. Then mimicked the posture and we all had “fist bumps” when I approached them instead. Very obedient kids and certainly something they wouldn’t have learnt from the TV.
Deploying Scouts for road marshaling
And some parts of the race, you will get to see temple structure upfront.
Buildings along the running route for runners to enjoy and be in awe of.
Finally, as we approach the finish line, you can’t help but to get the feeling that the entire race was so enjoyable and you would want to go to the start line and do this all over again immediately. The race has seriously won my heart over and I highly recommend runners who wants a taste of what it feels like to run in a less developed country.
The Sports Hub National Day Fiesta will make its return for the second year. In celebration of the nation’s 53rd birthday, Sports Hub brings to Singapore an array of exhilarating sporting and family-friendly festivities to ignite the spirit of ‘We Are Singapore @ The Hub’. Held at the OCBC Square on 9 August from12 pm to 9 pm, visitors will be able to participate in fitness workouts, sports challenges, and family bonding activities.
Key highlights of the fiesta include an innovative cardio-fusion dance programme choreographed with a unique Singaporean twist, ‘Workout Lah!’; quizzes and games on Singapore’s culture and heritage; and ‘Junior Super Warrior Challenge’ – an obstacle course consisting of activities such as tyre jump, plank walk, tunnel crawl, beanbags toss, tyre flip, spiderweb and low wall which are suitable for pre-schoolers and families. The day’s activities will culminate with the live National Day Parade telecast, where families and friends can picnic at the OCBC Square while watching the parade on a large screen. Free popcorn and picnic mats will be given out from 5 pm onwards on a first-come-first-served basis.
“The Sports Hub National Day Fiesta is a great opportunity for everyone from all walks of life to celebrate the joyous occasion together and bond through a dazzling array of shared sports, entertainment and lifestyle experiences. Families can join in our first-ever ‘Junior Super Warrior Challenge’, a special initiative for the young to conquer the obstacles with their mums and dads. There’s also a host of sports offerings for the more adventurous crowd and local-themed activities for all to bask in the spirit of togetherness as ONE Singapore. We hope that all Singaporeans and visitors can join us in the celebration of the nation’s 53rd birthday at Singapore Sports Hub,” said Ms Christine Lau, Director of Sports and Community Programming, Singapore Sports Hub.
An exclusive peep into the back-of-house of National Stadium
As part of the festivities, the Singapore Sports Hub will be offering 53 free guided tours till 17 August, for the public to explore the beautiful 35-hectare site. There are two types of tours available: a 90-minute tour around the Sports Hub, and a 60-minute exclusive back-of-house tour of the National Stadium. The backof-house tour of the National Stadium is open to public from 8 August onwards, and subject to stadium availability. The tours will be conducted in English by professionally trained venue tour guides and offers great insights and discovery into areas such as the executive suites, premium lounges, media areas, and the players village.
An array of family bonding activities
Parents can also keep their kids entertained with the various family-friendly activities including bubble performances, block-building challenges, bouncy castles, and ethnic craft activities such as tile and batik painting, bookmark-making and pyssia beads coaster art where participants can bring home their own masterpiece. There will also be flag-making activities, badge-making workshops, and storytelling sessions at the Singapore Sports Museum and Sports Hub Library throughout the day.
The first mobile container gym for fitness buffs
Fitness enthusiasts can look forward to rediscovering their fitness potential at ELXR Arena’s first mobile container gym, equipped with ten stations including battle rope, box jump, chin-up bar, dips, rope climb, sandbag, skipping rope, slam ball, TRX and wall ball. Members of the public can work out at this unique gym and try out ELXR’s new fitness mobile application which functions as a DNA-based sports training programme. In addition, there will also be parkour tryouts and demonstrations, e-sports gaming that combines physical activity and Augmented Reality (AR) technology, and RED-X Games – a functional fitness challenge that integrates obstacles with functional fitness movements for a total body workout.
Full array of sports, entertainment and lifestyle activities
Visitors can also look forward to a local curators’ bazaar featuring customised gifts and crafts, music performances by local talents, as well as partners’ activations such as ‘Let’s Beat Diabetes’ by Health Promotion Board (HPB), where participants can stand to win attractive prizes such as $1,000 travel vouchers, Nintendo Switch and iPad, and the Singapore GP’s F1 Roving Truck, where participants can race on the Marina Bay Street Circuit in simulators. All activities are free for the public.
For latest updates on the Sports Hub National Day Fiesta, please visit www.sportshub.com.sg/NDFiesta. The Sports Hub National Day Fiesta is held in conjunction with GetActive! Singapore. For more information on GetActive! Sngapore’s activities, visit www.getactive.sg.
SINGAPORE – Organizers of the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) 2018, IRONMAN, have unveiled a new medal design for the Marathon category for this year’s 42.195km race. The new design is the first ever gold-plated medal to be unveiled and is 20 per cent bigger than the 2017 medal. It features Singapore’s icon, the Merlion, commemorating the race’s prominence in Singapore’s sporting calendar – celebrating national pride and excellence. More than 14,000 runners in the Marathon category are expected to receive the iconic medal upon completion of the race on 9 December.
Ours to Run
Set to take place on the 8 and 9 of December, the 17th edition of Singapore’s marquee running event, offers a new two-day format with a myriad of community-centric offerings and an improved race experience to over 50,000 runners across six different categories.
Saturday
Ensuring SCSM remains accessible to runners of all abilities, the 5km category has been reintroduced at this year’s edition. Participants looking for an entry-level distance but full marathon experience are encouraged to join this category, which will be flagged off after the 10km category run. The race will begin at the F1 Pit Building and end by the scenic views at The Float at Marina Bay on Saturday morning.
A few kilometers away, parents will be cheering their kids on at the revamped Kids Dash. The fun run, for children up to the age of 12 will take see the participants run through an exciting adventure as they dash through the scenic zones at the Universal Studios Singapore. Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2018 Marathon category medal design features the iconic Merlion
Sunday
The main event is Sunday’s Marathon and Half Marathon, which will take place on a brand new route, covering many of Singapore’s iconic and historical landmarks. Both runs will kick off at the F1 Pit Building, and conclude at The Float at Marina Bay.
This year’s Ekiden category will offer 500 groups of five runners the opportunity to run 42.195km as a team. The race will see each runner cover a distance of over 8km.
The most seasoned runners can take up the Double-Up Challenge, providing them access to either the 5km or 10km category on Saturday, before proceeding to participate in either the Marathon or Half Marathon on Sunday. They will get a special Double-Up Challenge medal on top of their individual categories medals.
Registration for all categories are available, starting with $60 for 5km, $80 for 10km, $90 for Half Marathon, and $110 for the Marathon.
To register and for more information, please visit www.singaporemarathon.com. Standard Chartered Cardholders will enjoy 15% off registration fee across all categories.
Bintan Resorts will be hosting the inaugural world-class running event, International Bintan Marathon on 9 September 2018 with the tagline, ‘Run and Discover’. Offering a wide range of distances; 10km (Charity Run), 21km and 42km. The event is expected to host more than 2,000 runners. The marathon will start and finish at a popular tourist spot at Bintan Resorts,Plaza Lagoi in Lagoi Bay. Just a 60 mins ferry ride from Singapore, you can race alongside the breath-taking sunrise and white sandy beaches.
Sign up for International Bintan Marathon 2018 and Stand a chance to win a 2D1N stay at Nirwana Gardens at Bintan Resorts
Great news for JustRunLah! readers – 3 lucky participants of International Bintan Marathon 2018 will stand a chance to win a 2D1N stay at Nirwana Gardens.
Just fill in the form below to take part in the contest!
The contest has ended. Thank you!
Exclusive for JustRunLah! readers: 10% OFF Promo Code!
Great news! You can now enter code: IBMJRL to enjoy 10% OFF Public Rates during registration.
Even die-hard runners have days when they just don’t want to run. For example, it’s a rainy day, or the night was crazy, or you have too much work, or there’s a new TV-show on Netflix… Perhaps, the real problem is that you’ve just got bored of your everyday jogging because it doesn’t seem to be a fun thing now. In this case, listening to the right podcasts is what can change your mind and put you in a right mood. Of course, podcasts won’t change the weather or make you the best runner in the city, but they will give you more motivation, and you will learn something new while having a workout.
What Makes Podcasts so Addictive and Pleasurable?
First of all, podcasts are convenient. This method of consuming the information is much easier than reading a text. You can find interesting podcasts, subscribe to them, and your device will automatically download new episodes. Podcasts also involve a more personal approach, as you hear a speaker talking to you directly. It makes you more involved in the process and increases your attention.
Another great thing about podcasts is portability. You can download them to your iPhone or Android smartphone, iPod, or PC. Most podcasts are available for iTunes, Google Play, RSS, Sticher, and hundreds of other apps. You can even synchronize new episodes with all your devices and listen to them no matter where you are.
So, if you are lost and you don’t know where to begin, we have compiled this handy go-to list! Happy training!
This podcast is about everything associated with running. Interesting discussions, interviews, and advice from coaches — hosts Tom and Martin do everything possible to make your jog informative and fun. There are more than 400 episodes, so you may not get some jokes at first, but after a while, you’ll love stories about their families as much as discussions about doping in sport. Episodes are about 90 minutes long.
This podcast is hosted by coaches Chris McClung and Steve Sisson (who worked in the University of Texas and founded the Rogue running community in Austin). Having many years of experience, they share their ideas about training strategies, motivation, and sports in general. This podcast will be interesting for both beginners and professional athletes. The atmosphere of friendly, relaxed chatting will surely help you get in the mood.
Hosted by two running mothers, Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea, this is one of the oldest podcasts for runners. Here you can learn a bunch of health tips, as well as new diets, and fun facts. The hosts interview various fitness experts and talk about everything that runners want to know. Episodes are 60 to 120 minutes long.
Hosts David Herald and Jody Raynsford describe this podcast as the alternative for those runners who are tired of all the other podcasts. It’s less focused on running itself and resembles conversations in a pub after a workout. The hosts (who are also running journalists) claim that, in this podcast, everybody will find something to be offended by.
As the name suggests, this is a great choice for beginners. Debbie Voiles will tell you everything you need to know about sports, and running in particular. You will learn how to prevent injuries, how to prepare for your first race, and what habits you need to avoid if you want to become an athlete. However, experienced runners will also find some useful information here, for example, interesting training strategies.
This podcast is about everything from sport to personal development to mindful lifestyle and business. Once an overweight 40-year-old man dependent on the alcohol, Rich changed his life for good and became a vegan athlete. However, this podcast is not only for vegans but for everyone who also wants to change his or her life for the better. Rich gives a lot of food for thought and interviews outstanding personalities from various areas. Every episode is 90-120 minutes long.
Even if you’re a road runner, you’ll find a lot of useful and interesting information here. Professional athletes and enthusiasts talk about increasing performance, rules of trail running, and motivation. When listening to this podcast, you’ll certainly want to run a longer distance.
The host of this podcast, Kelly Roberts, is not only smart but also fun. She honestly talks about all the difficulties that may stop us from running and explain why we should never stop. Here you can find inspiration and laugh.
Lindsey Hein is honest, inspiring, and fun. She invites various athletes (mostly runners) and asks them about everything, from races to favorite movies and biggest failures. Lindsey always manages to balance between serious and funny, making every episode unique and interesting. Episodes are 60-90 minutes long.
These are just a few of many wonderful podcasts for runners. You can always make your run more meaningful, interesting, and fun by listening to people who devoted their lives to sport and fitness. If you need a little more motivation to wake up and put on your tracksuit, now you know what to do!
Guest Author / Bio:
Berta Melder is an experienced brand manager and co-founder of the Masterra. She finds her inspiration in creative writing and blogging. Enjoys aerial yoga and hiking/backpacking tours. Her Twitter @BertaMelder.
All run information including routes, elevation charts, updated mandatory gear and a race briefing video were made available to runners before race weekend.
elevation profile
Upon reaching race pack collection point, we were directed to have our information checked and submitted our indemnity forms. Then we had our mandatory gear checked. Only after all these are done were we allowed to collect our BIBs.
Mandatory gear check
There was no actual race briefing this time. However they were playing the race briefing video at the BIB collection area.
There was a tea party for runners the day prior to race day. So we went there to eat and mingle with fellow runners.
Prata was served at the tea party
Run day
As the hotel I was staying at IS the event venue, I did not have to take a transport over. So I just went to have my breakfast at the hotel at around 0300hrs before walking over to the start point. It was no fault of the organiser but the hotel breakfast served was not hot at all. I guess they prepared the food early and did not heat them up before putting them out for our breakfast buffet.
Start Point
It was party atmosphere at the start point with music blasting and runners all mingling around. If I did not know any better, I would have thought this was the starting area for a 5km fun run. But it was to be the start of a gruelling 100km by 290 runners and at 0345hrs, off we went into the mountains.
Start Point to CP 3 (16.5km)
The toughest section of the run with close to 80% of it in the jungle. I have been to a few technical trail runs but this was by far the most brutal. It rained for a while the day before thus the trails were wet. Many a times I had to use all 4 limbs to make my way up. Tree stumps, roots, rocks, branches; anything I can grab hold onto was used to climb up and down. Some parts were so muddy that I slipped a couple of times even with my TNF Ultra Vertical cos the lugs were thick with mud. But I was mindful not to trip on roots like I did in 2016 as I am not a big fan of becoming a flying Superman again. Even when the path looked runable I still chose to fast walk to be on the safe side what with the darkness and all. Whenever I heard foot steps behind me I will step aside for the faster runners to pass through as I really did not want to rush myself though I was moving at a much slower pace than I would have liked. But I know once I am out of this section, I would be able to make up time. Finally after close to 5hrs, I cleared this section and arrived at CP 3, with slightly more than an hour of buffer time.
Summit
CP 3 to 4 (5.7km)
Was surprised to see her at CP 3 together with the wives of some of our friends who were also running waiting for us. It was definitely a morale booster. However I did not linger long as I wanted to gain more time in anticipation for the return route that night. I reckoned if I needed close to 5hrs for CP 1 to 3 while I was still fresh, I might need close to 8hrs for CP 3 to the End Point as I should be almost spent by then. So I bid her goodbye and went on towards CP 4. After another 2km or so of jungle trails with a steep descend, I hit the main road and that was when I opened up. And I arrived at CP 4 about an hour later.
surprise visitorlettuce farm
CP 4 to CP 8 (28.1km)
CP 4 was the U-turn point for the 30km runners and also where we can access our Special Needs Bag. As I have no special needs, I did not leave any bags here. Porridge was served here but I did not feel like having any food then. So i refuelled and left with 5mins. Since CP 1, I had been topping up 1 of my flask with 100 Plus and the other with Cola and that would remain my hydration plan for the whole run.
Chef with our porridgetoilet and shower room
I enjoyed my run at this section as again I was running through the tea plantations with some magnificent views. Met many friends along the way and we kept on encouraging each other. My running strategy was up walk, flat and down run. So I took photos while walking uphills and run with no photos while downhills. CP 5 to 6 was the longest leg at 13.3km. With the sun in full blast then, it was challenging to keep going. I just refuelled at every CP and ate some oranges. I arrived at CP 8, which was my U-turn point after almost 11hrs. Which meant I now have a buffer time of 3hrs, which was still not enough from my estimation. So i tried to quicken my pace after.
tea leaf harvesting
CP 8 to CP 4 (28.1km)
With fatigue setting in gradually, I adjusted my running strategy to up and flat walk, and down run as I figured making use of gravity to aid my runs would be better off than attempting to run on flat grounds. I was surprised I could still do sub-5 pace while bombing downhills in the dark after a long day. And I guess this strength of mine of being able to bomb downhills aided me a lot during this run. I overtook a lot of runners whenever I ran down but I know they will catch up later during the ups. It did not bother me that they will catch up as I know my goal was not to get good placing but just to get more time for the last section. I targeted to reach CP 4 by 2000hrs so I can reach CP 3 by 2200hrs. But I missed it and only reached CP 4 at close to 2030hrs.
ran into a herd of goats
CP 4 to CP 3 (5.7km)
The Z monster started to get to me here and I felt sleepy and disorientated. So much so that I took a wrong turn and found myself in a unfamiliar place. I had earlier turned off the navigation function on my Fenix in a bid to conserve its battery so it did not prompt me that I was off course. It took me a while to realise I made a turn too early as I did not see any route markings around and so I turned back. I lost maybe 10mins there but well, if I blindly continued on, I may have lost more time. The 2km or so of jungle trails to reach CP 3 was unforgiving especially with my body condition then. I was so totally spent already. I kept digging within me to get myself going until I know I had almost nothing left in me. CP 3 arrival time; 2210hrs. buffer time 4hrs 30mins.
CP 3 to end point (16.5km)
I sent a text to her at this point letting her know I may not complete the run as I was really exhausted. It was also the first time I told her I was contemplating DNF as the last section was really daunting especially with my state of mind then. She encouraged me to keep going since I was not unwell or injured. So I told her I will try and budgeted 10hrs to clear this last 16.5km.
The climb to the summit at CP 3; Berembun Peak was a killer. I came across many runners just sitting along the route in a daze or napping. I myself took 2 short naps along the way as well as I was really tired. After what seemed like hours and still no summit in sight, I was so despondent that I shouted up “Summit?!” and was lagi demoralised when the reply was “Still far!” from a runner above. What to do? In the mountain now want to stop also cannot. So I just bite the bullet and kept pushing. CP 3 to CP 2 was a mere 5.6km but it took me 4hrs.
When I thought CP 3 to 2 was the worst because of the summit, I was in for a nasty surprise after CP 2. After about 2km of road, of which I took another wrong turn before turning back again, we entered the jungle again. There I came across one of the many volunteer tents and a volunteer took down my BIB number. I then asked her how far to CP 1 and she said about 950m. 950?! I was like finally! That was so near! I should be there within 30mins I told myself. I cannot be more wrong. It took me close to 2hrs to clear the 950m. Reason? Mud fest.
The trail was already muddy in the morning. After all the 100km runners ran through, came the 55km runners, then the 30km runners, then the 15km runners and finally the returning 100km runners. So what greeted me then was pure, mud, fest. I cannot stand without slipping, I cannot walk, I cannot run. I have forgotten how many times I had slipped. I was lucky that I did not ever fall face down. I did not need a face spa. Once I slipped and sat on the mud, and refused to move due to exasperation. 2 runners got by me and asked if I was okay. I just said lazy to move and told them to carry on. After a while I just continue slipping down on my buttocks as I figured getting up was futile. My gloves were thick with mud but I could not care for cleanliness then. I even used them to move my straw so I can drink. At close to 0500hrs, I reached CP 1 with only 3hrs 45mins left to Cut off time (COT).
I texted her again that I will likely miss the COT if the last part was another mud fest. So I told her not to wait for me at the finishing until about 0900hrs, which was after the COT. I will continue on but COT will likely be missed. Here I met a bunch of runners and we all agreed that we do not have much time left. So we quickly took off towards the end point with another summit; Jasar Peak to conquer.
This is where I got my big break. As I cleared this part in the morning while it was still dark, I could not remember the route condition. So I was expecting jungle terrain towards the summit just like CP 3 to 2. But we came to a mud road heading up instead. I looked at my Fenix for the expected elevation climb and saw that I needed to clear about 250m of elevation. As I slowly moved along upwards on the mud road, I kept telling myself this is good, better than being in the jungle going up. So I was hoping the 250m of elevation would have more of this mud road. However I was happy to be wrong this time; the whole 250m of elevation was on this mud road because soon after I heard some of the faster runners ahead shouting in elation and that was when I knew we had reached the summit.
With the summit cleared, I started to make my way down and it was down all the way now albeit on the jungle side; the side we came up from in the morning. But my spirits were high as I was quietly confident I would be able to meet the COT. I did tell myself not to count the eggs too soon as I still had this part to clear and who knows what might happen. Some parts of the trails were muddy but it was not as bad as the previous section. So I just slowly plowed my way through. After a while I started to see street lights, started to hear motorcycles passing by and even heard the prayers in a nearby mosque, but somehow I still have not seen the exit. It can be unnerving at times when you know the end is near but not near enough. Finally at 0650hrs, I reached the main road with 1.6km left to go.
I texted her that I was out from the mountains already and was slowly making my way back. So, after 27hrs 22mins, I crossed the finishing line to complete my 100km Cultra adventure, one of the 199 who completed out of 290.
Proud SingaporeanBest reward for completion. Ever
Post-run
Collected my medal and finisher tee before making it to the rest area to take photos and chat with her and friends. There was food being served there as well but I did not take any.
Breakfast packs
Takeaways
The course is beautiful with the vast mountain ranges and the tea plantations. Support stations were well stocked with isotonic drinks, cola, water, oranges, pears and dates. Some of the later CPs also have cup noodles for us. Volunteers were on hand eager to assist whenever they can. Route was well marked and as long as we pay attention to the markings, we should not get lost.
There was live tracking of runners available but apparently it was not really ‘live’ as it had delays in updating resulting in some anxieties amongst the supporters who were tracking their love ones and friends. Seeing your love ones last checked in 4hrs ago and not seen then can be a tad little nerve wrecking. Perhaps the poor network in the mountains played a part in this.
the not so ‘live’ live tracking
The weather was chilly in the morning and at night. In a way we were lucky it did not rain as forecasted if not the mud fest would have become a mud party. I did not have to wear my windbreaker at night as I felt ok and even hot when climbing though there were many runners who wore theirs at night. Some of my friends who did the course 2 years ago had to use their emergency blanket due to the extreme cold then.
The challenge is in the first 16.5km. All runners from 100km to 15km will have to go through this section with the 100km runners doing it twice (reverse on the way back). It is very technical and runners really need to be physically and more importantly, mentally prepared for it. Be prepared to climb on all 4s and a good pair of gloves is a must. I did not use any trekking poles as I personally did not find them helpful during VMM last year. But I did see many runners with poles. So it is really a matter of personal preference. To be honest, nothing we do in Singapore can prepare us for such a terrain there. So it would be good to do some trails nearby perhaps in Malaysia to be more familiar with this kind of technical terrain.
For those who intend to do this course, a word of advice;
Car-Free Sunday SG is an initiative that involves the closure of roads around the Civic District and Central Business District, including the Telok Ayer Conservation Area, to create a car-free experience for pedestrians and cyclists to enjoy.
It was first introduced in 2016, a community initiative by the URA, Land Transport Authority, National Parks Board, National Arts Council, Health Promotion Board, Sport Singapore and Singapore Land Authority. There are various programs catered for all age groups, and many of these programs are family-friendly.
The next editions of Car-Free Sunday will run in October and December and is usually held on the last weekend of the month.
My first participation in a Car-Free Sunday was in July last year, exactly one year ago. In that edition, I had catered transport to bring my family and our bicycles to cycle in the event. Apart from OCBC Cycle, I believe this is the other only event where we can walk, jog, roller blade or cycle in the CBD main roads without fear of being hit by cars!
On 29th July morning last sunday, I took a Grab to Raffles City with my foldie. Note that there will be some road closures and bus diversions in order to facilitate this event. Hence, the most convenient mode of transport is actually by train, where you can choose to alight at City Hall, Raffles Place and Tanjong Pagar, areas whereby some of the activities were being held.
The event had officially commenced at 8 am. I arrived at 8.30 am and immediately joined the ranks of cyclists plying the road. It was great cycling in the CBD, where the roads are wide and the tall buildings block out the direct heat of the sun. There were marshals helping to direct the cyclists and clear signage to urge users to share the roads. Wheelers were reminded to keep at a speed of no more than 15 km/h.
There were also groups of students and participants from the community centres, who chose to walk the closed roads and many of them were wearing red, as it is relatively near to National Day.
Most activities were concentrated around the Padang area. There were trishaw rides, kids zone and yoga or fitness workouts. There were also booths for rental of bikes and e-scooters. Isotonic drinks such as pocari sweat and 100 plus were provided.
There were other activities scattered at the Telok Ayer district as well. The advantage of riding a bike means I was able to easily access these areas. It must have been quite some time I last visited here, and I certainly missed the cultural scene and of course, the many good food at the Amoy Street Hawker Centre.
I stayed till 1030 am, before cycling back to Bedok via East Coast Park. This is one of the favourite route for cyclists, as it brings you past the Gardens By the Bay, Marina Barrage, Gardens By the Bay East and East Coast Park. Some even cycle all the way to Changi Village through this route. As for myself, I exited to upper east coast road to treat myself a well deserved katong laksa for lunch!
Comments
Car-Free Sunday is a great event where families and friends can come and bond, spending quality time together. It is my annual ‘pilgrimage’ I won’t want to miss!
PASAY CITY – A former champion and a new face stole the scene from almost 28,000 runners at the conclusion of the 42nd National MILO Marathon Metro Manila qualifiers Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia grounds. Amidst the sporadic downpours, Jeson Agravante and Christina Hallasgo brought home the championships of their respective divisions in the full marathon and will lead the Big City delegation to the National Finals set for December 9, 2018 in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
Agravante entered the race with the mindset of getting back the MILO King title he won in 2016 in Iloilo City but lost it last year in Cebu City to surprise winner Jeorge Andrade. The Silay City, Negros Occidental native also won the Metro Manila qualifier in 2012 but suddenly went on a two-year hiatus from running but he has indeed returned with aplomb.
He literally flew and built an over one-kilometer gap with the chase pack upon hitting Gil Puyat Avenue from Fort Bonifacio for the final push back to MOA. Agravante finished the 42.195-kilometer course in 2:35:10, seven minutes faster than runner-up Eric Paniqui (2:42:41) and third placer Bryan Quinco (2:43:59).
Hallasgo from Malaybalay City, Bukidnon may be an unknown quantity nationally but she is a star in the Mindanao running scene. She is a back-to-back MILO Cagayan de Oro champion from 2014 to 2015 and took a break in 2016 to give birth to her first child but returned immediately to rule MILO Butuan last season.
Hallasgo overtook early leader and defending champion Cinderella Lorenzo somewhere along Gil Puyat and never looked back. She clocked 3:05:17 to beat two-time MILO Queen Jho-An Banayag-Villarma of Philippine Army (3:14:28) while Lorenzo of Team Soleus faded to Third Place (3:17:48).
In other distances, Richard Salano (1:08:46) and Nhea-Ann Barcena (1:31:02) ruled the 21 kilometers which also serves a qualifier for the Laoag Nationals. Southeast Asian Games gold medal winner Mervin Guarte (34:04) and Meagy Ninuna (40:24) topped the 10 kilometers that also saw actress and MILO Ambassador Solenn Heussaff take 10th Place (55:56).
Another national athlete Immuel Camino (15:18) and Joida Gagnao (18:39) were the fastest over five kilometers. The special kids’ race of three kilometers went to Cedric Alcoriza (11:33) and Rishane Abellar (12:23).
Marathon 31 and counting with no plans of stopping.
The next MILO qualifier will be hosted by Tarlac City on August 26. The cities of Batangas (September 16) and Lucena (September 30) will next take their turn before the caravan moves to the Visayas and Mindanao for more races.
Embarking on a mission to save the environment! On 29th July, a group of runners gathered to explore the Rail Corridor, one of Singapore’s most iconic trails as recommended by JustMove Asia. We met at Hillview MRT Station and plogged our way down to old Bukit Timah Railway Station.
What is Plogging?
Picking up litter while jogging in groups has become a popular pastime in Sweden. Yesterday, it has officially arrived in Singapore. Running is good for your health and picking up litter is good for the planet’s health. Why not combine the two?
Plogging brings awareness to just how much litter lines our streets, parks, and trails. It is an easy, feel-good way to make a direct impact in our community. A great way to connect with nature, while helping to restore it. Oh, and you will burn some calories, too! Stay tuned for their next Session.
“We do what we can to help, every “litter” way. Start Plogging today!” – Neyton Tan
“Fulfilling, meaningful and awesome morning spent!” – Serene Er
“Felt heart-warming to see everyone taking time out to participate and seeing their commitment during the plogging session.” – Christina Leo
Plogging at Rail Corridor
Also, check out Plogging in other parts of the world:
Bintan Resorts will be hosting the inaugural world-class running event, International Bintan Marathon on 9 September 2018 with the tagline, ‘Run and Discover’. Offering a wide range of distances; 10km (Charity Run), 21km and 42km. The event is expected to host more than 2,000 runners. The marathon will start and finish at a popular tourist spot at Bintan Resorts,Plaza Lagoi in Lagoi Bay. Just a 60 mins ferry ride from Singapore, you can race alongside the breath-taking sunrise and white sandy beaches.
Stand a Chance to Win A Free Slot To International Bintan Marathon 2018
Great news for JustRunLah! readers – 9 lucky winners will stand a chance to win a complimentary slot, with a choice of 10km, 21 km or 42km, to International Bintan Marathon 2018!
Just fill in the form below to take part in the contest!
The contest has ended. Thank you!
Check out these unique entitlements!
Know the route before your run!
Lastly, get comfortable during your stay!
2D1N Stay in a Deluxe Room (Twin-share, $95 per person/night)
Two-way return direct ferry from Singapore to Bintan Lagoon Terminal
Two-way return land transfer from the ferry terminal to resort
Fastest male and female Singaporean runners in the 50km trail race will win a fully paid trip to Hong Kong for the Asian Skyrunning Championships in December along with cash prize and gym membership
Singapore, 26 July 2018 – To inspire and encourage Singaporean trail runners to challenge their limits and break their boundaries, a trio of National Award prizes is introduced to the MSIG Singapore Action Asia 50 for the first time this year.
Supported by MSIG Insurance, the National Award prizes will be awarded to the first male and female Singaporean runners to cross the finish line at the 50km race to be held on Saturday, 29 September 2018.
As part of the prizes, the two Singaporean winners will get the opportunity to represent Singapore at the Asian Skyrunning Championships – Lantau 50 in Hong Kong on 2 December 2018. Other than the all-expense-paid trip covering air ticket and hotel accommodation, the two winners will each receive a $300 cash prize and a 3-month gym membership at TripleFit.
Other new additions to the MSIG Singapore Action Asia 50 this year are the Zero Waste category and a 5km distance for beginners and novice trail runners.
Participants who choose to run under the Zero Waste category will voluntarily give up the event t-shirt and finisher’s medal. They will, in turn, receive a special race bib to recognize their support of the Zero Waste movement. Guest-of-Honour Mr. Baey Yam Keng, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth & Transport, will also flag off and join the Zero Waste 10km race in support of a greener Singapore.
To minimise environmental damage along the route, the MSIG Singapore Action Asia 50 is operating a strict no-cup policy. Runners are advised to bring their own water bottles or hydration packs and refill them at the water checkpoints throughout the course.
The event is possible thanks to the generous support of our title sponsor MSIG Insurance and supporting partners Action X Store, Singapore Tourism Board, Outdoor Channel, Triplefit, Royale International, Run Magazine, Runsociety, JustRunLah and the Action Asia Foundation.
Race Info
Event Name
MSIG Singapore Action Asia 50
Date
29 September 2018 (Saturday)
Start Time
6:30am – 50km
7:00am – 21km
7:30am – 10km & 5km
Start and Finish Location
Hindhede Walk, Bukit Timah
(600-metre walk across the bridge from Beauty World MRT)
Distance
50km, 21km, 10km, 5km
Category
Trail Running – mostly off-road for 5km/10km/21km; 50km is a mixture of grass track, trail and road.
Know this might sound pretty straightforward. If the items are listed as mandatory, they must be brought along right? Well, apparently not all runners think so. Here I will give my personal take on the matter.
Why organisers list certain items as mandatory
? CM50
There are many reasons organisers do that, though more often than not, it is for safety reasons. If runners are expected to be on the trails into the night, a headlamp with spare batteries would be an absolute must. Some organisers might even need you to be equipped with 2 headlamps for the purpose of redundancy in case your headlamp fails you en route. If running on public road at night is expected, a reflective vest with a blinker light may be in order.
Depending on the distances between each water stations, organisers would also dictate your water carrying capacity for your hydration. They wouldn’t want you to run out of water midway.
Other items like mylar emergency blankets, whistles, waterproof jackets, a mobile phone with network are pretty standard as well. With more races going Green now, you may be required to bring along your own cup, which is usually used for you to consume hot beverages especially during cold weather. Bowls, spoon or fork may also be needed if the organisers serve hot soup or food at their water stations.
After listing down the above, it would seem logical to bring them along. So why do some runners prefer not to follow the mandatory list?
Why runners choose to leave out some ‘mandatory’ items
“I do not eat during my run, why do I need a bowl/fork/spoon?”
“I run fast enough to be back before nightfall, so I do not need headlamps.”
“I am not afraid of cold, so I will never need an emergency blanket.”
? TITI Ultra
Basically these runners find these items troublesome, cumbersome and adds on to their already heavy load. So what they usually do is to leave out what they feel they do not need. Or perhaps remove them after the mandatory gear inspection because some races do not check their gear again after the race starts. If organisers are not aware of what they had done, the runners will gladly complete their races with a lesser load than mandated.
It is smart for the runners to circumvent the rules this way right? Afterall, no harm’s done.
No. It is not right
When runners registered for races, they know what they are signing up for. From the distance, to the elevations to the terrain, and, the mandatory gear list. So to not bring along all that are mandated is akin to, cheating in my humble opinion. It is like say, I know this route has a shortcut to the next water point, so I take the shortcut. Organisers do not get to know, nobody gets hurt, I complete my race. Does that sound right? Safety aspects not withstanding, what is the difference between cutting short a route and cutting short your mandatory gear list? They both amount to the same principle of not adhering to the rules. No?
Some races conduct random checks on runners during the races and if runners are found to have lesser gear than what they are supposed to have, they will be penalized or may even get a DQ (disqualification). But from my own personal experience, such checks are far and few between (I have only been checked once in over 10 ultra trail races). Which is why some runners took the decision not to have all their gear with them because they know chances of them getting checked are low. Based on this logic, is it alright to cheat during an examination if you know chances of you getting caught is low?
Verdict – To bring all or not to bring all
All in!
There is no right or wrong as every runner is responsible for their own actions. But for me, I would rather complete a race (or DNF) knowing I had done it legitimately bringing along all that was mandated. And not complete a race knowing I only had 90% of what was required with me because for me, that is not a completion.
Fashion is creating a bridge straight from the runway to the world of sports and fitness. It all started in 2007 with the introduction of the FitBit. Since then, the company has gained over 25 million users and has paved an incredible road towards advanced fashionable technology. Other companies are now following in Fitbit’s footsteps and creating wearable technology for everyone to stay fit and healthy. Check out these cool gadgets that can help you improve your workout progress and look great doing it.
Nadi X Smart Yoga Pants for a Relaxed Session
Yoga develops inner awareness, strengthens the mind and body, improves weight loss, and lowers blood pressure. One yoga session provides many health benefits, but the right pants can help you go even further. Nadi X Smart yoga pants track its wearer’s performance and provide personalized yoga training in real time. The stylish pants have accelerometers and haptic feedback at the ankles, hips, and knees that guide the flow of yoga through the release of gentle vibrations. The vibrations pulse your body around the essential areas and encourage you to move and hold positions. You can then get additional feedback on your phone through a Bluetooth sync-up. The pants come in four assorted sizes and styles and are sold at many stores around the world.
Lumo Run for Improved Running Posture
Although running has many great benefits for your body, it can also be harmful if you’re doing it wrong. Bad posture is common in many runners and can lead to injuries such as shin splints, stress fractures, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, and Achilles tendinosis. Therefore, a company called Lumo created smart running shorts and capris that monitor bodily metrics to improve posture. The shorts measure cadence, ground contact time, pelvic rotation, and stride length and provide feedback through your headphones. According to the company, 97 percent of runners that wear their technology improved their running form within the first three runs and 80 percent improved their pace or distance.
Polar Team Pro to Improve Team Sports Performance
For sports such as football and rugby, it can be hard to track the performance of every individual player. Therefore, Polar Team Pro has combined fashion with GPS, motion tracking technology, and heart rate monitoring to provide the ultimate solution. The trackable technology is interwoven in a compression shirt that is designed with athletics in mind. It allows each wearer to broadcast their training data so that their teammates and coaches can monitor their condition and training performance. The shirts are currently being used by over 50 professional football teams, 13 national American football teams, and 5 basketball teams.
Comfort is the new style of fashion and it’s infecting the world of fitness. You can expect wearable sports technology to take off in the next couple of years as athletes learn of its extreme benefits.
PASAY CITY – A former champion and a new face stole the scene from almost 28,000 runners at the conclusion of the 42nd National MILO Marathon Metro Manila qualifiers Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia grounds. Amidst the sporadic downpours, Jeson Agravante and Christina Hallasgo brought home the championships of their respective divisions in the full marathon and will lead the Big City delegation to the National Finals set for December 9, 2018 in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
