Have you ever googled a longitude and latitude co-ordinate? Or have you flown a UMV/ drone before? Not many would have but that’s what I and over 1000 participants from today’s (23 April 2017) The Amazing Maritime Challenge (AMC) got to do. The AMC is organised by Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA Singapore) as part of Singapore Maritime Week. It is the first time that my friend, Cheng Yee and I have taken part in this event. The AMC is not your usual run event; it is race that was designed with exciting challenges which mirror the Singapore maritime industry to create better understanding about the industry among its participants and the general public. Each challenge is designed to test you physically and mentally.

We decided to join this year AMC because:

Rave reviews from cousins – My cousins, Justin and Femy have been loyal participants of this event since it first opened to the public! They said the challenges were always fun and it was a great way to spend the weekend with friends!

Reasonable entry fees – With a registration fee of $10 per team of two, participants were entitled to things such as goodie bags worth $50 and Finisher tees (only available on event day), event tees, race bib and race tote bag.

Different from a normal run event – It is not your typical run event where there is a marked out route. Participants have to plan their route for the different challenges and they can either do it by foot or public transport. The last time that I have participated in a similar event was the Nile Fun Race in 2015 which was held in conjunction with the 8th ASEAN Para Games

RACE ENTRY PACK COLLECTION (REPC)

The REPC took place on the 21 and 22 April 2017 at Marina Square Link Bridge Atrium. The Marina Square Link Bridge Atrium is the open area that has a link bridge that connects Marina Square to Suntec City Convention Centre. This place is not a frequently utilized REPC site and it took me a while to find it.

[Photo: REPC Site]

I went during lunch time on the 21 April 2017 and race pack collection was a breeze as there was no one in queue! Unlike a normal race expo, there was also no mini expo. It was just a simple no frills race expo. The no frills concept also applied to the race pack. The event tees were just normal dry tech tees, no vouchers or coupons inside the race pack.

[Photo: No frills Race Pack]

RACE DAY

Cheng Yee and I arrived early at the event site as we didn’t want to be held up in long queues and we wanted time to strategize. Race resource pack (goodie bag and game card) collection was at Marina Square Outdoor Plaza between the timings of 06:30hrs to 07:30hrs. Every counter was organised according to bib number and there were no queues. We were disappointed as we could not formulate a plan on which place to go first but because participants had to collect 4 sets of longitude and latitude co-ordinates which were only available after flag-off. We just settled to find a place to read about the 4 game stations and have our breakfast.

My cousins, Justin and Femy were also taking part in this race. It was good to have a team that we could collaborate with because splitting of transport fees would be much cheaper if we travel by taxi! We made our way to find them and took some photos before entering the START pen. Since we were early, we were in the second row very near to the START line. I have never been so close to it before! Simple warm up exercises were conducted before the Flag-off party was invited on stage and participants were promptly flagged off at 8am!

[Photo: Before the START of the race]

GAME/ RACE DYNAMICS

Participants are supposed to complete all challenges at the 4 locations by trying to score as many points in the shortest possible time. Participants are also given 100 Maritime dollars which can be used at the various stations to score more points or get you through the challenge quicker. For every unused Maritime dollars, 20 points will be added to your overall score.

There were also 3 optional BONUS challenges which participants can choose to complete. If completed, the team will secure an additional 60 points to their overall score.

Participants are permitted to travel via any mode of transport. All game stations will close at 12:30 hrs, and the Game Master will close the game station queue at 12:15 hrs. Participants have to submit their game card at Marina Square Outdoor Plaza – Results Station (Start/Finish point) by 13:00 hrs as a team.

RACE START

The first thing that every team had to do was to consolidate 4 sets of longitude and latitude co-ordinates which will tell you the location of your stations. These 4 sets of co-ordinates were scattered around the outdoor open area of Marina Square. Once collected, participants were to figure out where these locations were and make their way there. Entering co-ordinates into Google was definitely not an easy task because of the long string of alpha number characters you have to enter! It was surprising to see that Google actually recognized the string of characters.

[Photo: Longitude & Latitude co-ordinates were clues to the game station location]

4 GAME STATONS

Once the participants had deciphered the location co-ordinates, we were supposed to head to those locations to complete the challenges. Our team had decided to start with the furthest station which was at Labrador Park and end at Empress Place.

The first station we went to was called Speed Haul and we took a taxi there. Thankfully we opted to take a taxi if not we would be walking a very long distance to the game station. Our teams were one of the earlier ones there and didn’t need to queue to attempt the task. As this was our first challenge, we did not do really well as both of us didn’t know what we were supposed to do and plus we remembered the logo rather than the definitions.

Our next stop was Marina South Pier which is the Flight Path station. This was one of the more interesting stations! Upon arrival, we were greeted with the scenic views of the Marina South Pier. This just brought back memories of my cruise 2 weeks ago. We quickly got our question sheet and headed for the Singapore Maritime Gallery which we didn’t knew existed until now. We were really impressed with the exhibits there but didn’t have time to go through everything. I’m definitely planning a trip back there to try out the interactive displays. After completing the questions we did Part B of the challenge. It’s a first time for both Cheng Yee and I trying to fly a drone. Somehow when you see people fly drones, they make it look soooo easy but you can imagine the number of times the drone crashed while we piloted it! We ‘pitied’ the station personnel as he had to run numerous times during those 90 seconds to pick up and reset the drone for us.

From there we headed to Fort Canning by cab! By the time we reached this station it was roughly around 10:15hrs. The sun was up in full force but we had to scale the hilly slopes of Fort Canning get to the Task at Hand station. This was the only station that we needed to queue before attempting the challenge. I never knew that there was a light house replica at Fort Canning and it had some Singapore Maritime history to it.

Finally our last station! We headed there on foot as it was nearby. The Compass Warriors station was the one that required the most foot work! We were brisk walking in the hot sun to get the clues and solve them. I think this station burned the most calories as it sent us walking up and down the Singapore River area.

From here it was a fun walk back to Marina Square passing some of Singapore’s iconic landmarks like the Merlion, Marina Bay Sands, Jubilee Bridge, Esplanade etc. We knew we would not be one of the winners so we just took our time and crossed the FINISH line at around 11:20hrs.  We completed all 4 challenges and all 3 bonus challenges! We were rewarded with our FINISHER tees once handed in our game card to organisers. My team scored a total of 247 points! It is not the highest but we were happy to complete all the challenges!

[Photo: Completed the AMC 2017]

SUNDAY WELL-SPENT!

The AMC 2017 was definitely an experience for me and my friends. Definitely a well spent Sunday! It was well organised event that met its aim to promote the Singapore Maritime Industry. We were glad that we got to do, see and learn things that we never would have a chance to do if we did not join this challenge. Kudos to the organisers on a job well done. Thanks to Justin and Femy for recommending this event to us. I would definitely recommend this event to all if you are looking for a fun filled weekend!

[Photo: Goodies from AMC 2017]

They said that nobody is a loser, everybody is a winner ❤️ There is more than a thousand participants signing up for this event and this is my second year joining the 50 hours non-stop run, last year’s run just seems so recent! ?

[Distance and Route]

50 hours non stop run does not means running non stop for 50 hours, can anybody actually really do that? ? It’s a event from 9am of 14th April to 16th April 11am, ongoing for 50 hours. The runners can complete the amount of distance they registered for within 50 hours, which means, no matter day or night, rain or shine, with some runners running up to 64.5km. The run is held at Bedok Reservoir and each loop is around 4.3km, which means that some of the runners will be running many loops around Bedok Reservoir with the same scenery.

[Registration Fee]

Comparing to the recent running events which I went to with the registration fee costing between $50-$100 for long distances, this registration fee of $20 for running up to 43km and $30 up to 64.5km seems really cheap but can’t really compare lah, this is a non-competitive run and it’s organised by Tampines West Community Sports Club, usually running events organised by them are rather affordable ? I think in July or August there’s a Coney Island 6km run also organised by them and the registration fee is $15 inclusive of medals and entitlements such as event tee.

[Entitlement]

For runners running lesser than 3 loops will not be getting any medal. Runners will get their first medal after 3 loops, the second medal after 6 loops and the third medal after 10 loops. So if the runners doesn’t want to run so much, can just complete 3 loops to collect 1 medal or 6 loops to collect 2 medals. Runners who signed up for the 64.5km will have a total of 4 medals and a finisher tee. Other race entitlement includes the event T-shirtby Compressport, there’s personalised race bib, a card for us to stamp at the start and end of every loop for our attendance. I think the medals is really exceptionally chio especially because it’s hard earn medals! And the finishers of 64.5km will get a exclusive finisher tee! ? The stamp card is really one of the most precious item with us, we will get a stamp on the start and end of each loop. Heard that there’s people who cheated to complete by taking bus. What for? ?

[Route]

Each loop around Bedok Reservoir is 4.3km, terrain is flat and not easy to run on as it’s sand and gravel. Not much of scenery to see along the route maybe the park walkers walking their dogs are more interesting. I find that the moonlight shadow on the Reservoir is a beauty in the night. Not easy to run in the night though there’s lamp posts as it’s still rather dark.

[My experience]

(Photo Credits: Tan Kim Lai)

Simply broke my record of covering a distance of 64.5km in 2 days! Overall this is a good run run walk walk event for me. I enjoyed my friends companionship and chit chattings. There were two water points, 1 of the water point closes after 6pm but there’s quite a few water cooler within the Reservoir itself already and what’s good is that the organizer make the effort to provide chilled water and Lucozade for the runners ? There’s portable toilet at the event site and it’s a park so there’s multiple toilets around where we don’t need to be worried of no toilets or what if we need toilet breaks.

(Photo Credits: Wan Marshall Datuk)

I signed up for the 64.5km category and split up my runs into 3 visits because I’m not so hardcore to finish it all at once. But it’s so troublesome for me to get to Bedok Reservoir as I live in the North. The time I took for taking public transport there is like 1.5 hours ?

It’s a public holiday on Friday morning, my friends and I were there for the flag off which is on time at 9am. There were many familiar runners from the running community and it’s nice to see them ? The ☀️ is already hung up high in the sky and my friends and I were praying for good weather and for the sun to be hiding behind the clouds but no. It’s really hot and it’s really tough to run in such a hot and humid weather that Sabrina and I decided that 3 loops is really enough and we don’t want get ourselves burnt so went for brunch at Mcdonalds and decided to come back in the evening to see if we can complete the rest of the 12 loops

I rarely run at a timing when the sun is out and glaring and I don’t even have a sunglass for sports or running and simply grab and bring along a pair of sunglass I can find which make me feel a slight headache after the first loop and decided to carry it with me to run since I left my bag at a sheltered resting area with the rest of the runners. Thank you Lily for the fruits and helping us keep a look out for our belongings ?

(Photo Credits: Kim C Runner)

There’s no baggage deposits available but there’s a tentage where runners can put their belonging but nobody is responsible in looking after our belongings. Just don’t bring valuables and have to trust that Singapore is a safe place and all people who goes to the park and all runners are nice people ?

(Picture taken on the first night after completing Rey’s final loop making him a finisher of 64.5km, an ultra-marathoner ?)

My 64.5km is all run walk run walk as I really lack of the motivation to run or because I have eaten too full for dinner. Maybe it’s the repeating of the loops that make the run torturous or that I get bored already. Maybe it’s the long distance or maybe it’s the no timing chips on the race bib. But still there’s rankings for finishers that complete the distances. On that evening when I went down I only manage to complete 5 more loops which I have a balance of 7 more loops to complete the next day ?

(Photo Credits: Tampines West CSC)

On the second night, I went together with Willis, with me a balance of 7 loops to complete and him with 9 loops. We reach there at almost 11pm and we had that in mind to finish it if not we need to go home and come back again on Sunday morning rushing to complete before 11am. When we reach the event site, more than 200 runners have already completed 64.5km! ?? One of the volunteers said that more than 400 runners had actually signed up for th 64.5km category. We run together, having our chit chat dating run and walk. I must really that all the volunteers, it’s in the middle of the night and they are still so energetic and cheering for us, encouraging us to carry on with motivating words such as “we will be here, just the last few rounds! Keep going!”

Though I was two loops ahead of Willis at first but he manage to catch up with me with a loop while I rest and though I had completed my final lap and should get my finisher medals and finisher tee, I hang on and accompanied Willis for his final lap so I completed 68.8km, 16 laps to be exact! It’s tiring but I know it’s the last few kilometres that’s the toughest to complete and I hope my presence and companionship had made it easier for him ❤️

My last year’s experience at 50 hours non stop run is over here ?

I took part in the 50 Hour Non Stop Run 2017 organised by Tampines West CSC. This was their 3rd year organising but my first time participating. It was originated in 2015 as part of SG50 celebrations. Such an interesting event! 

Runners are given 50 hours to complete 10 loops around Bedok Reservoir Park which is equivalent to 43KM (each loop is 4.3KM). This year, they added a more challenging category of 15 loops (64.5KM)! Sounds crazy but there were many people who signed up for it and actually completed it within a day. We can choose to break it into 2 or 3 days within the event period (9.00AM on 14th April to 11.00AM on 16th April). It’s completely up to us.

43KM and 64.5KM are considered ultra marathon distances. But because there are 50 hours to complete it so the pressure is much reduced. Still, I did not have the courage to take up 15 loops and only signed up for 10 loops. Price was reasonable and affordable and we get a bright coloured running t-shirt.

There were 3 medals runners could receive each after completing 3rd loop (12.9KM Bronze), 6th loop (25.8KM Silver) and 10th loop (43KM Gold). And of course, 15th loop (64.5KM) finishers will receive an extra medal (a different design) and a mystery gift which I just found out on event day that it was a finisher shirt! How nice.

This event is a fun run event though the distances are ultra long as we can run at our own pace and time looping Bedok Reservoir. It was indeed a weekend well spent for many avid runners doing what they love. Sports drink and water were provided though they were not cold.

Participants were given a race card each to record the number of loops completed. As it was a fun run, there was no timing chip given. We needed to carry the card with us the whole time we were running and get it stamped at the starting/ending point after completing every loop. This method could be quite a hassle because we need to be careful not to lose the card. My sister felt pressurised because she was afraid to lose the card. We needed to repeat the action of taking out the card from our waist pouch to get it stamped and put it back in over and over again.

Another suggestion I could think of is to use a special type of wristband to let runners wear on the wrist after completing each loop. So at the end of 10 loops, they will have 10 wristbands on their wrists. Just like the ancient method of using rubber bands to record the number of laps run when there was no timing chip technology available yet. Organiser can consider that.

My running buddies a.k.a my siblings and I decided to finish the run within a day. We started at 9.00AM on the first day and the sun was burning hot! We ran and walked under the hot sun till 1.30PM before stopping for lunch break. While having lunch, it started to rain. Thanks to the rain, weather was much cooler after that and we could continue to run without having to wait till sunset.

So we walked and ran loops after loops while enjoying the beautiful scenery. Also, applying Counter Pain cream on the legs because our legs were seriously screaming for help.

On my 9th loop, my Garmin watch started to warn me of low battery. I was pretty worried if the watch would die and then my record would be all gone. I just charged it to full power the day before to get ready for this run. So I just ran non stop and refused to walk because I wanted to complete it quick so that I could save the distance clocked. I received warning message again and again and when I reached the end of my 9th lap, I decided to continue my last and final lap without stopping for break. I carried on running my final lap and praying hard my watch would not die so soon. Finally the distance showed 43KM and I decided to just stop it and save, though there was still about another 200 meters to go. I walked this 200 meters to the end point. Seriously a mental and physical torture but I felt accomplished and enjoyed it!

I collected all my 3 medals together and was asked to stand at the counter panel for a photo. I was the 112 runner to complete 10 laps. Happy and contented. I went to sit down and waited for my siblings to finish. 

So I ran my first ever full marathon and beyond in a fun setting. It gave me the assurance and readiness to run my first classic full marathon by the end of the year. Keep running!