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4 insane races we will never see in Singapore

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4 insane races we will never see in Singapore

Singapore is no stranger to themed runs – just take a look at our race calendar! Today, JustRunLah! presents you 4 crazy races from around the world that will probably never make it to Singapore!

1. The Underwear Affair, Canada

DROP EVERYTHING and fight cancers below the waist!

Fancy running a marathon in your underwear? You can do so in this race, and for a good cause! The purpose of The Underwear Affair has been to raise funds for breakthrough research and discovery of new cancer therapies at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Cross Cancer Institute and 15 other cancer centres across Alberta through the Alberta Cancer Foundation.

calgary underwear
Photo credit: www.facebook.com/TheCalgaryUnderwearAffair

2. The Marathon du Médoc, France

How does wine for hydration sound to you?

This race is perfect for Singaporeans who are addicted to the indulgent Sunday champagne brunch! Indulge in oysters, steak, ice-cream, and as many as twenty-two glasses of wine – all while running a marathon!

Created in 1984 by a group of passionate marathon fans, the marathon nicknamed the “Medoc” has become a must for many marathon runners over the years. The “Medoc” is a marathon you just have to run like New York, London or Paris. The popularity of this marathon does of course lead to problems with the number of runners allowed to run the race. The race is deliberately limited to 8,500 participants and despite everything it has managed to preserve the spirit of the founders built on 4 fundamental pillars that are inseparable for us : Health – Sport – Conviviality – Fun.

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Photo credit: www.bordeaux.com

The day of the Marathon, with the show before the departure, the events during the race with over 90% of runners in disguise, some 52 other events alongside the race, 22 refreshment stands, 21 food stands and special gourmet stands (oysters, ham, steak, cheese, ice cream, Medoc attic, etc.) and the presence of hundreds of disguised and delighted school children.

Routed through 59 vineyards in the fabled villages of the Medoc region, it reads more like a wine tasting trip than a marathon. Don’t be surprised if you get asked, “red or white Madame?” at a hydration station! Thankfully there is plain water if you so choose. It should be noted that this race has a really extensive medical support along the route.

3. Great Gorilla Run, U.K.

Since the first Great Gorilla Run in 2003, thousands of people have donned gorilla suits and joined the 8k fun run route starting at Minster Court in the City and passing some of London’s most iconic landmarks, including the Tower Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral.

Now in its 12th year, this incredible event has raised more than £2 million for gorilla conservation and poverty reduction projects in central Africa.

gorilla run
Photo credit: http://secure.gorillas.org

 4. Beer run, Netherlands

If wine is not your thing, a race series in Netherlands offer plenty of beer to runners before, during and after the race! Stop at a beer station, chug it, then carry on! No one would fault you if you need to lie down for a bit, though.

beer run
Photo credit: www.grandrapidsmarathon.com

Note: Mixing drinking alcohol with running is a really bad idea with potentially serious effects to your health. Don’t try it yourself and always remember to consult a doctor about your exercising routine!

So here are the four insane races in other countries that seem really fun, but is highly unlikely to happen on our shores. Itching to take part in an overseas race? Check out our bucket list here!

Running @ George Town Part 2 – Mural Trail

Zhiyong
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Running @ George Town Part 2 – Mural Trail

Country: Malaysia
State: Penang
Highlight: George Town Mural Paintings
Accommodation: Evergreen Laurel Hotel
Water points: Shops along the route (Please bring some money)

This route brings you to the famous wall paintings by Lithuanian artist, Ernest Zacharevic,  in George Town. In addition, many local artists followed suit and added to the whole collection which attracted tourists from all over the world. These interesting wall paintings definitely added much colour and fun while running along this route (and searching for the art works).

Preview of running route:

– See Map of route here

– See Running @ George Town (Mural) here

Nila Swim & Aquathlon and Nila Run – SEA Games is here! Take part and win your own medal.

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Nila Swim & Aquathlon and Nila Run – SEA Games is here! Take part and win your own medal.

As part of gathering the community to be part of the 28th SEA Games, the Singapore Southeast Asian Games Organising Committee (SINGSOC), will be having three exciting mass community races in-conjunction with the SEA Games Triathlon and SEA Games Marathon events happening on 6 June & 7 June 2015, respectively.

The Nila Run

Don’t miss an once-in-a-lifetime running event for enthusiasts and newbies to experience the thrill and excitement of running the partial route of a SEA Games elite marathoner!

The run will take place on 7 June 2015 (Sunday), and will be a 10KM fun run which will start 10 minutes after the SEA Games Marathon runners have been flagged-off. The Nila Run participants will also finish within the Sports Hub vicinity, just in-time to cheer on the SEA Games Marathon runners as they cross the finish line!

All participants will receive an exclusive race pack consisting of an FBT event tee, a race bib with timing chip, a shoe bag and all finishers will get a unique medal.

Act fast and click here to join the run today; Registrations close on May the 17th.

The Nila Swim & Aquathlon

The Nila Swim & Aquathlon will be taking place at the East Coast Park on 6 June 2015 (Saturday), which is also the same day as the women’s SEA Games Triathlon event.

Nila Swim & Aquathlon is the next best opportunity for enthusiasts and newbies to experience the thrill of open water swimming and aquathlon. There are race categories catered for the experienced athletes as well as the shorter ones for the amateurs and kids.

To be held just a stone throw away from the 28th SEA Games Triathlon’s venue and race course, this is as close as anyone can get in experiencing the excitement and thrill of triathletes participating in the 28th SEA Games. Grab this opportunity by registering for either the swim and/or the Aquathlon.

Act fast and click here to join the swim today; Registrations close on May the 17th.

Active SG supports NILA events by encouraging it members to get active and participate in NILA Run, Swim & Aquathlon. All Active SG members can now earn Active SG Dollars that are equivalent to 50% of the registration fees! This will be credited into participants’ account one month after the event.

 

Soak in the SEA Games atmosphere

A variety of competitions are happening on-site. Combine your race with the thrilling atmosphere of SEA Games:

Events taking place in the East Cluster on 6 June include:
• Boxing (Expo)
• Chinlone (Expo)
• Judo (Expo)
• Wushu (Expo)
• Triathlon (East Coast Park)
• Sailing (National Sailing Centre)

Events taking place at the Sports Hub and in the Kallang Cluster on 7 June include:
• Athletics, Marathon (Home of Athletics)
• Table Tennis (Singapore Indoor Stadium)
• Swimming (OCBC Aquatic Centre)
• Billiards & Snookers (OCBC Arena)
• Softball (Kallang Softball Field)
• Tennis (Kallang Tennis Centre)

For more information on the competition schedule, refer to SEA Games official site.

Click here for more information on both events – Go ahead, BE EXTRAORDINARY!
Sponsored by Nila Community Events

8 Reasons Why You Should Try A Triathlon

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8 Reasons Why You Should Try A Triathlon

As a runner, you only have to take two small steps to cross into triathlon territory. Triathlons are growing in popularity, and with events offering varying distances, the sport is accessible to all. Not convinced? Here are some reasons to try a triathlon.

#1: Increase your overall fitness

When you sign up for a triathlon, you’re no longer training for one sport, but three. This necessarily requires a greater investment of time into physical exercise, which in this day and age of technological convenience, is a good thing. Regular exercise provides a myriad of health benefits, from lowering blood pressure, reducing your risk of osteoporosis, diabetes, preventing various cancers and heart disease. Train for a triathlon, it could just extend your life.

#2: More energy

As a runner, you’re probably already familiar with the sensation of feeling energised AFTER a run. Whether we start with a morning run to give us energy for the rest of the day, or fit in an evening jog to help refresh our minds after a long day at the office, exercise = more energy. So imagine how your energy levels will soar once you start training as a triathlete. Stick with a structured training plan to ensure you’re not overdoing things; as training progresses and your fitness improves, you’ll be cruising through each day.

#3: Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight

It’s hard to keep superfluous weight when you’re constantly running around, swimming and cycling. Because training also involves highly intense cardiovascular sessions, you’re losing fat while retaining, or even building muscles, which further boosts your metabolism. This shouldn’t be the primary reason to do a triathlon, but it certainly is a bonus.

#4: Build a better body

When you’re improving your skills in three different sports, you are also on your way to building a more balanced physique. Swimming creates definition in your upper body and improves flexibility. Running develops long and lean muscles, while building endurance. Cycling tones the lower body while helping you build strength.

Triathletes swimming

#5: Reclaim your youth

Look at reasons one through four – healthy weight, better fitness, disease prevention and more energy. For those reasons, most triathletes look years younger than they are, and we bet our bottom dollar that they feel that way too.

#6: Increase motivation to exercise

One of the biggest reasons people lose motivation and quit their exercise routines is due to boredom or burnout. This happens when you’re doing one single sport or type of exercise, day in, day out. Training for a triathlon puts three different sports into your weekly exercise plan, thus preventing burnout. These activities can also be done in very different environments so you’ll never get bored too – swim in your local swimming pool or at the beach, run along the trails or on the treadmill at the gym, and cycle around town or through the countryside. After all, each of these activities directly contributes to your triathlon success.

#7: Prevent overuse injuries

Runners are well aware of the risks of injury from overtraining; when you continuously stress the same parts of your body through one single form of exercise, it can result in shinsplints, stress fractures, knee problems, tendinitis, and the list goes on. Triathlons, however, incorporate three very different sports so cross-training is automatically built into your training plan. Additionally, swimming and cycling are both non weight-bearing sports, providing excellent workouts without stressing your joints and muscles like running does. You’ll have less pain, fewer injuries, and a stronger body.

#8: Boost your confidence

Training for a triathlon takes discipline and dedication, but by choosing to commit, you’re making a long-term investment in yourself. You’ll feel great on the inside, and you’ll look fabulous on the outside. You’ll sleep better, change your diet to support your performance, and you’re now an athlete skilled at three different sports. You’ll understand yourself better, because you would have capitalised on your strengths and worked on your weaknesses. And the sense of accomplishment when you finish your first triathlon is something nobody can ever take away from you.

Try a triathlon. We guarantee it’ll change your life.

Ready to take up a tri challenge? Sign up for Singapore International Triathlon here.
JustRunLah! is proud to be the Official Running Portal of Singapore International Triathlon.

ASICS City Relay: Singapore’s First Night Relay Marathon

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ASICS City Relay: Singapore’s First Night Relay Marathon

Something new in Singapore’s racing scene!

At some point in each runner’s life, it is a dream to run in a marathon; yet not everyone is capable of tackling the gruelling 42.195km distance. With the launch of the inaugural ASICS City Relay this year however, you can share the fun of a full marathon event in a relay format along with three other teammates. To be held at the Singapore Sports Hub on 1 August 2015, the ASICS City Relay is an exciting new race concept which will see teams of four compete in Singapore’s first ever night marathon relay-only event.

[ot-video type=”youtube” url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZSIY8SUQ4w”]

“We see the ASICS City Relay as having massive potential here in Singapore. The relay format has proved hugely popular and with the exciting new Sports Hub venue, we’re set for a truly exciting night race which is quite different to any other existing event on the local race calendar,” said Chris Robb, CEO of Spectrum Worldwide, the company behind the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore and Cycle Asia.

“This event is also much more than just a marathon. While we certainly cater to serious running teams, the ASICS City Relay is designed as a social event with a real emphasis on the entertainment, corporate hospitality and food and beverage options on the night,” Robb added.

At the ASICS City Relay, each team member will run one lap of the course around the Sports Hub precinct (approximately a 10.5km km circuit) and all relay changeovers will take place within the new National Stadium. While participants are completing their leg of the relay, teammates can prepare for their race or cool down within a designated athlete zone on the pitch. “Live” results will also be shown on the two giant LED screens within the stadium to keep everyone updated on the leading teams.

You can also enjoy the atmosphere within the “race village” surrounded by the sounds of DJs Matthew & Zushan from Zouk and roving performers who will keep runners and spectators entertained throughout the night, starting from the flag-off at 6.00pm.

Participants can enter the Corporates, Clubs, Students or Open categories and register as all-Male, all-Female or Mixed teams. Places are capped at 2,000 teams to ensure the best running experience for all. In-store and early bird registrations have sold out, but normal registration is still available. Students will be able to enjoy a constant registration fee of $210.00 throughout.

“Completing a marathon is the ultimate accomplishment for any runner, and at the ASICS City Relay they can also experience the atmosphere of Japanese heritage Ekiden. We look forward to seeing runners come out in full force at the Sports Hub in August,” said Yogesh Gandhi, General Manager for ASICS Asia Pte. Ltd.

Slots are selling fast  – visit CITYRELAY.COM.SG to sign up for your team today.

Sponsored by ASICS City Relay.

Interview with Ian Ang of IronProject

Team JustRunLah!
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Interview with Ian Ang of IronProject

From weekend warrior to IronMan triathlete fundraiser. Sometimes, we find inspiration from heroes with the most unassuming backgrounds, but a quiet will to succeed, and a charitable heart to return something to society. This week, JustRunLah! chats with Ian Ang, who shares with us how he started running, transitioned to triathlons, and in the process of chronicling his journey, managed to inspire his friends towards adopting a more active lifestyle, while raising money to support the underprivileged in society.

Read on for more details…

Triathlon

JRL: What’s your running background, and when/why did you decide to do a triathlon?

Ian: My first serious run was probably the Standard Chartered Marathon in 2006; it was a bucket list item and I ran like 5 times a week ranging from 5-15km. Running was not as popular then, and I (foolishly) didn’t really seek any training advice, so I was just running whenever and however I wanted. 6 months later, I crossed the finished line and I told myself that I’ll never do anything like that ever again! I still have thoughts like these after finishing races these days.

Fast forward to 2012, I signed up for the Cold Storage Triathlon on impulse, called up a friend to borrow his bike, and headed to Mandai in the evenings. I had been cycling a bit on my fixed gear bike a couple of months before, so that helped make the training a little bit easier.

IMzurich swim start

JRL: Remarkably, you trained for your first IronMan Triathlon (Zurich 2013) in 10 months. What were the biggest lessons you took away from the training and race day experience?

Ian: Just days after completing my first triathlon, I stumbled upon the infamous Ironman video, the World Championships in Kona which has gotten so many people hooked and signing up for their first Ironman. Next thing I knew, I was on the Ironman website looking for a race to sign up for. I wanted to do one quick, before I lose motivation or interest in the sport.

Armed with almost zero knowledge, and not knowing many people in the triathlon community, I had (once again) foolishly thrown myself into the deep end of the pool. I bought a tri bike, went online to look at generic training plans on “how to complete an ironman in XX months”. I tried swim lessons initially but I sucked so bad that it too was embarrassing to continue, so I eventually learnt swimming freestyle from watching videos on YouTube.

The triathlon community in Singapore is definitely a friendly one. There were many people online giving advice, and I joined people on rides and swims here and there.

I toed the start line in Zurich 10 months later and the experience was magical. As much as I hated the chaos of a mass start swim, I had goosebumps for the first 10 minutes of the swim, struggling together with 2000 plus swimmers, fighting for space in the lake. The bike course took us to beautiful parts of the city and through many small towns located along the outskirts of the city centre. The views were as breathtaking as the hills I had to climb. By the time I hit the run, I was just holding on for dear life, feeding off the energy from all the supporters. My girlfriend Jaime would be there screaming her lungs out every lap; that feeling was like downing 4 energy gels at a go. Crossing the finish line for that race was like nothing I’ve ever experienced, and definitely the hardest thing I’d ever done.

JRL: Swim, bike, run. Which is your forte, and which is your favourite?

Ian: I definitely like running the best. While I’m overseas at work, it’s the best way to go sightseeing in the city. I also really enjoy trail running and try to head to MacRitchie every Sunday.

JRL: What advice would you give to runners contemplating a triathlon?

Ian: I’m probably the last person to give sound advice on doing a triathlon; the times that I do, my friends end up signing up for Ironman races and start blaming me all the way till they cross the finish line! On a more serious note, I always share with friends that consistency in training is very important. Start with shorter races, they are really exciting and not to be underestimated. I don’t think any other sport has a “sprint-distance” race taking over an hour to complete.

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IronProject

JRL: What’s the story behind IronProject?

Ian: The idea was first conceived when I decided to do my first Ironman. A blog was set up to log my journey when an idea struck – to do this as a fundraising effort for a charity. Eventually, the first IronProject managed to garner $7000+ in donations for Home Nursing Foundation Singapore.

JRL: What are the main objectives of IronProject?

Ian: We are just a group of friends who are training for races, and while doing so, we have pledged to donate based on the number of hours we train (i.e. $1/hour of training). Not all athletes are triathletes. We have had friends who are rock climbers and a floorball player joining in. I just wanted to inspire some friends to take up a more active lifestyle and also give back to the community in one way or the other.

JRL: Are you currently training for an IronMan challenge? If so, which one? If not, are you training for something else?

Ian: My next big race is Challenge Roth in Germany, an IronMan distance triathlon in July. It’s a really popular race, and the 2000+ slots were sold out within minutes of registration opening. We are about 12 weeks out from the race, so the training hours are piling up at this phase of training.

JRL: Tell us about Friends of the IronProject, and how people can show some support.

Ian: Friends of Ironproject started after my first race; a couple of friends came forward and wanted to pledge donations with their races as well. Each of us would choose a charity to support and try to garner support from family and friends to donate. Donations are all made through the giveasia website, which channels all the donations to the chosen beneficiaries.

Like Ironproject on our Facebook page, make a donation or just leave your messages of encouragement. Any form of support is much appreciated!

road run with ironproject team

Discount code for Sundown Marathon 2015

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Discount code for Sundown Marathon 2015

Discounted registration

JustRunLah! is proud to be the Official Partner of Singapore’s largest night race and bring another exclusive deal to you!


All our readers can enjoy registrations at the discounted, early bird rate from now till 17 May using promo code: SDM2015EBJustRunLah during registration.

 

It’s time to conquer the night!

[ot-video type=”youtube” url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAp9zQVmUtc”]

JustRunLah! joins OSIM Sundown Marathon Tribe

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JustRunLah! joins OSIM Sundown Marathon Tribe

Asia’s largest night marathon is back!

The OSIM Sundown Marathon is expecting registration numbers to reach 30,000 for the third straight year in 2015, making it Asia’s largest night marathon once again.

The Sundown Marathon returns this year on 4 July 2015 at the F1 Pit Building. With the four running categories this year – 5K Fun Run, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon – to choose from, as well as a food and beverage village and VIP packages, it promises to be a spectacular night jam-packed with activities for all.

osimsundownmarathonOSIM-Sundown Marathon Partnership

For its 8th edition, Asia’s largest night marathon is partnering up with title sponsor OSIM.

Said Ms Lynn Tan, General Manager of OSIM Singapore, “being Asia’s number one healthy lifestyle brand, our aim is to inspire well-being to everyone from all walks of life, and we also wish to contribute to Singapore’s running scene in every possible way.  Sundown Marathon is an innovative and unique run that races through the night, thus challenging runners to do their best to break conventional boundaries, and this is in line with OSIM’s spirit – which is to always challenge ourselves to do our best. We look forward to having more runners, both beginners and experienced, to join us at the OSIM Sundown Marathon and enjoy the run in all categories.”

“We are very pleased to have OSIM on board with us as the title sponsor,” said Mr Adrian Mok, Managing Director of HiVelocity Events, the owner and organiser of Sundown Marathon. “We are thrilled to find a partner who shares our vision of inspiring well-being throughout a wider community through running.”

This marriage of a common vision to inspire a wider community and make Sundown Marathon an even better experience for all, has led to the introduction of a new 5KM Fun Run category to allow anyone aged 6 years old and above to take the first step to participate in running events. The 5KM Fun Run will encourage beginners to challenge their spirit and attempt a shorter distance as a start, inspiring them to continue with sports to improve their well-being.

2015 Theme: Pulse of the Tribe

OSIM Sundown Marathon believes running in a group allows everyone to draw out the inner strength, courage and passion that enables us to push our physical boundaries as we cross that finish line. Pulse of the Tribe seeks to encompass and include every single OSIM Sundown runner on race day. Regardless of age or category, the runners will form a collective tribe as they prepare to motivate each other to conquer the night! So be prepared to rally your friends and family as we come together on July 4th to conquer the night as one HUGE Sundown Tribe!

[ot-video type=”youtube” url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAp9zQVmUtc”]

sundownpulseofthetribeSundown with Love

Inspiring Singaporeans to take up a healthy lifestyle aside, OSIM Sundown Marathon also seeks to give back to society through Sundown With Love – a charity outreach and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) effort.

Runners will get the chance to join 20 Sundown Tribe Ambassadors as they embark on Sundown With Love as a platform to raise funds for the beneficiaries closest to their hearts. Among them are Mok Ying Rong, winner of 2014’s Sundown Half Marathon Women’s Open category, who is raising awareness for her adopted charity ACRES Wildlife Warrior, and Singapore’s only female Race Car Driver, Claire Jedrek, who will be raising awareness for the Children’s Cancer Foundation.

If you wish to make a difference in the lives of the underprivileged, you can do your part by choosing any of the charities to support here.

JustRunLah! joins OSIM Sundown Marathon

JustRunLah! is proud to be the Official Partner of Singapore’s largest night race.

All our readers can enjoy registrations at the discounted, early bird rate from now till 17 May using promo code: SDM2015EBJustRunLah during registration. So, running buddies, are you ready to conquer the night?

osimsundownmarathon2

WOW Run 2015

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WOW Run 2015

It all started with the simple desire to encourage Muslim women to lead an active and healthy lifestyle…

In a day and age where global race brands, with hefty funding support, often start in the States before making their way over to Singapore, one little race is bucking the trend and doing Singapore proud by putting our island nation on the running map. The WOW Run is a 5K women’s only race, and in 2015, it’s set to spread its message around the globe.

The first WOW Run took place in 2014 and was organised by POP WOW (Pearls of Paradise, Women of Wellness). Founder Captain (Ret) Muzdalifah Anuar is a mother-of-three and an avid runner who runs half and full marathons. When her choice to wear the hijab conflicted with her military career, she made the decision to quit the army, and founded POP WOW, a health and fitness company by women, for women. At the same time, she had also noticed a dearth of Muslim women with whom she could do her training runs with. Spurred by her desire to promote fitness among her Muslim women friends, she organised the world’s first Muslimah run, WOW Run 2014.

The event was a triumph, with a turnout of 1000 (600 registered) on event day doubling that of the organiser’s initial expectations of 500 participants. The run was complemented with talks and presentations to educate and emphasise the importance of staying fit and active.  It also successfully empowered Muslim women, demonstrating that those who choose to wear the hijab needn’t feel limited or restricted from participating in activities, including sports.

wowrunmuslimwomenhealthyfamily

While the original goal of WOW Run was to encourage Muslim women wearing hijabs to be more active, the event is open to EVERYONE. In the words of the founder herself, “I enjoin all Muslim sisters to wear the hijab, this is my duty as a Muslim but I will NOT discriminate nor exclude non-hijabis from our activities. Our activities are open to all women regardless of race, language, religion or coverage status.”

This year, POP WOW is taking the event to the next level, and the WOW 5K Run/Walk 2015 will be hosted in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Ireland, Phillipines, Portugal and the USA on 25 October 2015. In Singapore, the venue is tentatively set at Sentosa Island. Open to ladies aged 15 and above, runners can register individually, or in groups of 5 or 10, so bring your mother, sisters, cousins and friends.  To celebrate Singapore’s 50 years of independence, women who turn 50 this year can join the WOW Run for FREE.

So ladies, what are you waiting for?
 
Click here to register and be a part of a global running phenomenon that was born right here in Singapore!

wowrunposter

5 Running Lessons from the Pros

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5 Running Lessons from the Pros

#1. We all lead busy lives, but it’s possible to fit running in.

“I try my best to do away with any time-wasting activities during training to shorten the training hours… [and] I try to read up before and after lectures and tutorials to understand the materials faster.” – Soh Hua Qun

“I make sure I make time for the kids first and send them to the bus every morning.  Once they go on the bus, I start my morning run.” – Jenny Huang

#2. Consistency is KEY.

“Train well. Train every day.” – Jenny Huang

“You don’t become a better runner overnight, next week, or next month. It takes years to build up a solid base and every year you spend in the sport is another year of running under your belt. And that’s the way it’s going to continue.” – Soh Rui Yong

#3. The best runners aren’t afraid to push their limits.

“I’d done a couple of marathons, and actually got a bit bored of them because I found them a bit monotonous. I felt myself stagnating a bit, and I needed a new challenge. I needed to seek a new pursuit, a new form of adventure, and I felt that just doing a road marathon again simply wouldn’t do enough for me, and I needed to do something a bit more. So since then, it’s just been ultra-running.” – Paviter Singh

#4. Running well requires mental strength.

“Trust in your preparation, clear your mind, and just run.” – Ashley Liew

“Having to prepare to deal with the lows in an ultra is really important, because the lows will come.” – Paviter Singh

#5. The lessons learnt in running carry on to other aspects of life.

“I didn’t really understand it then, but now I realise if your life is in order, you’re going to be a better runner. The discipline you apply in running can be applied to many other aspects in life, so the more disciplined I became in class, the better I became on the track, and that confidence translated into other aspects of life and it became a cycle.” – Soh Rui Yong

“The aim is not to think about the distance. Think instead about the journey, and what you learn from it. It’s not about speed at all. It’s about understanding yourself, it’s about pushing through boundaries.” – Paviter Singh

“[Running] allows us the opportunity to transcend pre-conceived limits.” – Ashley Liew

Want more? You can read the full interviews with our local athletes, or take a look at our series of running inspiration.

Race Review: JP Morgan Corporate Challenge 2015 (by ‘SinaiStrider’)

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Race Review: JP Morgan Corporate Challenge 2015 (by ‘SinaiStrider’)

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23rd April 2015, Esplanade Drive – 1730 Flag off

Hot on the heels of the Green Corridor is another of my favorite races of the year, the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge. 5.6km of lungbusting racing through the sticky streets of Singapore in the heat of the afternoon.

This year I have enlisted 14 colleagues to join me and the other 14,000 runners. Two have done the race before, the rest are JMPCC virgins. As well as being the company team captain, today represents the end of a chapter for Mount Sinai Striders as ‘shug’ is moving back to the UK (to chilly Scotland) next week, so this is his last race. He works for Barclays, who are trying to retain their team crown from last year, so there is some serious racing to be done.

I meet Scouse Pete and Shug at One Fullerton and we join the queue for early access to the starting pen. We meet a few friends while we are waiting, Stu Haynes, last year’s winner, Al Slade, Tony Seakins, Conor Delahunty, Prasant Kannoth and Shirely Zhang from F1 and a bunch of other regulars. As usual there’s a bit of start line banter, great cameraderie and some good laughs as we wait for the flag off. It’s stinking hot and there is zero wind, so with 14.000 people squeezed together on Fullerton Bridge it’s sweltering.

Shug and I discuss the plan:

‘ok, lets not go off too fast’

‘agreed, its pretty crowded so we should be ok, take it steady til the pit lane then go hard’

‘alrighty – lets go’

First Km, 3:26 – shit! how did that happen. I’m blowing already, struggling to suck in oxygen. We’re in front of the float and I run through a large puddle, my shoes start slipping and sliding all over the place. Things aren’t going well.

I manage to get into a bit of rhythm down Republic Avenue, but Shug is a good way ahead and I have a feeling already I won’t catch him. 5.6km is over before you know it and it’s hard to make up 100m unless the person in front really drops the pace.

Into the final 2km and a couple more people come past me that I would usually hope to stay ahead of, I’m not happy, but I try my best to focus and push for home. Legs feel fine, but I’m struggling with my breathing for some reason, so never quite getting comfortable, off a good pace by at least 10 seconds/km.

Into the pitlane straight and a last sprint for the finish line.

I cross the line in just over 21 mins, 38th place (5k equivalent 19:15). I’m annoyed that I let a few people beat me, but I’m ok with the time, which is a 4 minute improvement on my previous attempt, in 2013.

I’m over it pretty quickly, catching up with Shug and the others – Stu wins again (17:59) and Shirley has won the women’s event (no Suzy Walsham this year) so it’s smiles all round. Thanks to Stu, Morgan Stanley win the team event, pipping Barclays by a few seconds. A funny exchange with my financial advisor, a 6foot 4 ex rugby player who can hardly stand at the end of the race and a quick catch up with Raja, and at 1830 I re group the company team for a quick photo opportunity.

And then it’s off for a few beers to say goodbye to shug.

I love this race, the vibe is AWESOME, it’s competitive, it’s a great course, it’s super convenient when you work in CBD and overall it’s a great feelgood afternoon in the amazing marina bay. Love it.

I’ll be back again next year, trying again to get under the 20 minute mark.

Next Up Energizer Night Trail (12k) a first for me, should be fun. See you there?

 

 

 

HomeTeamNS REAL Run Through the Years: A Brief History of the Race

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HomeTeamNS REAL Run Through the Years: A Brief History of the Race

The HomeTeamNS REAL (Regular Exercise, Active Lifestyle) Run has gained exponential popularity over the past two decades and established itself as the multi-terrain run of choice for Home Team NSmen and the public.

The combination of Road, Trail and Sand will excite running enthusiasts who are looking for an extra challenge through winding trails, asphalt and energy-sapping sand.

Dedicated to provide an “Ultimate Running Experience”, the REAL Run was incepted in 1996 by then Singapore Police Association for NSmen (SPANS) with the aim of promoting healthy lifestyle among the SPF National Servicemen through exercise. Over time, HomeTeamNS REAL Run expanded internationally to embrace like-minded athletes from various countries.

In 2015, age and fitness level will not be a barrier! With the latest HERO Trail (5km, 10km), 3-NS Generation Run, and Kids’ Beach Dash categories, this home-grown event is well-received by many families, and you can definitely look forward to a day of fun at Sentosa! Presenting the ONLY run in Singapore organised by NSmen for NSmen. So don’t wait any more and take part in this year’s edition of REAL Run!

Key facts

28 August 2005

6,600 participants from 32 countries take parts at The New Balance REAL (Regular Exercise, Active Lifestyle) Run at Sentosa

28 October 2007 – New Balance REAL Run

Sum of $500,000 was raised and donated to the President’s Challenge 2007.

Race was moved from Sentosa to Changi Exhibition Centre to cater to more participants.

President SR Nathan flagged off participants for 10km and 15km races.

2009 HomeTeamNS – New Balance REAL Run

Race extended to 4km

10,000 participants

2011 REAL Run @ Changi Exhibition

For the first time – 21 km race route

First multi-terrain half-marathon locally

Covered by local broadcast media and press

5 Minutes with Athletes Ashley Liew and Soh Rui Yong

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5 Minutes with Athletes Ashley Liew and Soh Rui Yong

Less than eight weeks to go before Singapore hosts the SEA Games 2015! Our marathon representatives for this year Ashley Liew and Soh Rui Yong have both embarked on incredible journeys in preparation for the race, and JustRunLah! does a quick check-in to see how our boys are doing…

JRL: You’re currently back at the Kenya High Altitude Training Centre. How will this contribute towards your preparations for performing at the SEA Games?

Ashley Liew: I have finally reached Iten after a 24 hour travel from South Carolina to Nairobi, a 1 hour domestic flight from Nairobi to Eldoret, and a 1.5 hour drive with chaotic downtown traffic from Eldoret to Iten. My time in Kenya will push my lungs on the hills (“The Hills are Alive” from The Sound of Music comes to mind), boost my physiology via the altitude, but most of all immerse me in the mindset of what it takes to be a successful runner. This “Home of Champions” is a place where I can focus on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual conditioning. If my previous 20-day stint was significant enough to break all my personal bests from the 5K distance onwards, I am excited for what this 42-day stint might behold.

JRL: You’ve been training in Flagstaff, Arizona for the last few weeks now. How will this contribute towards your preparations for performing at the SEA Games?

Soh Rui Yong: I’m actually back at sea level now! In Flagstaff, there was 35% less oxygen in the air, making workouts and hills especially tough. I really learned to hurt, and as a marathoner, being able to hurt is a very useful skill over the 42.195km distance.

SRYwithDavidCrownunderatBuffaloParkphotocredKelsiClotter
Rui Yong with David Crownunder at Buffalo Park (photo credit: Kelsi Clotter)

JRL: In preparing for the Games, what’s the toughest training you’ve done/are about to do?

AL: I will not reinvent the wheel on that one. I plan to see what the Kenyan group plans to do for that particular workout and I will go from there, adapting it if necessary. My local friend Mike already publicly commented on Facebook that they are welcoming me for “hard training” so there is no turning back now! It will involve plenty of steady runs, which were key for me in my lead-up to the 2h32m12s PB at the New Orleans Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon.

SRY: I wouldn’t single out any particular session, but in general, churning out week after week of 160km is pretty tough!

JRL: Soh Rui Yong – contender or ally?

AL: He is an ally. I have a lot of respect for his capabilities and am excited by his potential. It will be a partnership of synergy on the day. If either one of us momentarily falls into a rough patch, we can spur each other on.

JRL: Ashley Liew – contender or ally?

SRY: Both! Ashley has been in the marathon for far longer than I have. I believe he came out of nowhere to finish as 2nd Singaporean at the 2009 Stanchart Marathon, so he has been in the marathon for at least 5 years now, whereas I only ran my first one last December. His experience and never-say-die attitude will make him a contender for sure. Being countrymen, I certainly hope we can be allies out there when the going gets tough. In a sense, marathoners are often allies for the first 32km of a race. You have to tackle the distance first before worrying about beating anyone else!

JRL: What shoes will you wear for the Games?

AL: ASICS Sortie Magic RP, my model of choice which worked brilliantly at New Orleans. This one is red and white, just like the Singapore flag.

SRY: I am deciding between the Nike LunarSpider LT 4+ and the Zoom Streak 5. The Zoom Streak 5 is newer and lighter, but the LunarSpider LT4+ is what I train in and raced my first marathon in, which brought a good result. I will decide closer to the date.

Please finish this sentence: I am running the SEA Games Marathon for…

AL: My mother who would have loved supporting me for such a big race on home ground but would have been proud simply knowing I fought the good fight.

Mike Rono's neighbours kids while visiting
Ashley with Mike Rono’s neighbours kids while visiting

SRY: My family, my friends, my coach, Singapore Athletics, my sponsors (Nike SG, Garmin SG, Opticalance), and anyone who has supported me in one way or another. No man is an island, and the people around me have all played vital roles in making me the athlete I am today.

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Rui Yong on the trails with best friend and training partner Alexi Pappas.
JustRunLah! wishes you both all the best, Rui Yong and Ashley!

Boston Marathon 2015 Wrap-Up

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Boston Marathon 2015 Wrap-Up

With the weather being colder and wetter than in previous years, the 2015 edition of the Boston Marathon was nonetheless a resounding success, with 27, 156 runners toeing the starting line. Thousands of runners huddled in thermal blankets to keep warm pre-race, dodged puddles en route, and triumphantly crossing the finish line, some long after the race clock at the finish line had been taken down.

The title of the 119th Boston Marathon was claimed by Ethiopia’s Lelisa Desisa, who finished in 2 hours, 9 minutes, 17 seconds. This is his second Boston victory; his first was in 2013, but with the bombings that year, his victory was short-lived. Caroline Rotich from Kenya won the women’s category in 2:24:55.

Two years on, the memories of the attacks are still palpable; security was unobtrusive but still visible. Nonetheless, the 1 million spectators who showed up to support and celebrate Boston Strong despite the foul weather was a testament to the enduring legacy of the race.

The biggest challenge that participants faced this year was the uncooperative weather. With temperatures hovering around 7⁰C and wind speeds of 15 to 30kph, conditions were less than ideal for a marathon. Medical tents were at 90% capacity, with 1,310 runners being treated in the medical tents and 36 transported to area hospitals, with the main medical issue of the day being hypothermia.
Singaporean Runners Results

Singapore was represented by 32 runners in the Boston Marathon this year. The top three men and women from Singapore are as follows:

Men

  1. Brad James 2:53:44‏
  2. Andrew J. Zakaluzny 2:57:56‏
  3. Lor Chun Kiat 3:00:22

Women

  1. Hilda Stoney 3:20:51
  2. Rachel See 3:26:17
  3. Tan Yi Zhen 3:32:53

JustRunLah! congratulates all runners who have qualified for, and participated in the Boston Marathon 2015.

Athletics Entry Standards Announced for 2016 Olympics

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Athletics Entry Standards Announced for 2016 Olympics

It’s going to be a tough competition for athletes seeking to make the cut in the 2016 Olympic Games, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro.

Single Entry Standards for Rio 2016

Of notable interest is the change from ‘A’ and ‘B’ standards from previous years to single entry standards for each gender. Announced at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Council meeting in Monaco last November, this new unified qualification system, set “a little below old A category but above B category”, is argued to improve the overall quality of the event, but may result in some countries struggling to field a wide range of competitors.

For the field of athletics, the Game entry standards are as follows:

olympicsentrystandard

The standards have been approved by the IAAF at the world governing body’s 198th council meeting in Beijing.

However, simply meeting the entry standards may not be enough to qualify for a spot in the Games. Back in 2013, it was announced that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has capped the figure at 2,000, down from the 2231 who participated in the 2012 London Olympics. Athletics is the only sport to have its numbers scaled back for Rio 2016. Vice president of IAAF Sebastian Coe maintained that athletics remains the number one Olympic sport, despite aquatics and gymnastics being promoted to the top tier alongside athletics in the Olympics.

Given the limited number of spots available, athletes will have to push harder, to get into Rio 2016.

Morning Finals

At the request of the Rio local organising committee and the Olympic Broadcasting Service, supported by the International Olympic Committee, the finals for the men and women’s marathons, the men and women’s 20km race walking and the 50km men’s race walking will be held in the morning. The decision was made to ensure the events receive maximum visibility for athletics at the Olympics across all time zones.

IAAF competitions director Paul Hardy felt that leading distance runners “often have competitions throughout the year in the morning, such as road or cross country races, and so will be accustomed to this timing”, and will most likely “welcome this change to the athletics programme at the Olympics”.

Athletics action at the next Olympics will take place from Friday 12 to Sunday 21 August 2016.

Singapore Athletics announces SEA Games 2015 Representatives

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Singapore Athletics announces SEA Games 2015 Representatives

After months of anticipation, the Singapore Athletics has finally announced this last weekend the names of the 41 male and 33 female track and field athletes who will be representing Singapore in the 28th SEA Games, held in Singapore from 6 to 12 June this year.

Said Singapore Athletes President Mr Tang Weng Fei in an interview, “together with our colleagues at SNOC, we are pleased to announce the list of 74 athletes that will do their very best in bringing glory to Singapore in the Track &Field arena. I am confident that our athletes have prepared well and come June,we will all be one as Team Singapore to compete, encourage and do our nation proud.”

Running for Singapore

In the men’s category, Singapore will be represented by Jeevaneesh S/O Sounararajah and Melvin Wong Yao Han for the 5000m event.

Melvin will also be running in the 10000m event, alongside Soh Rui Yong, who is Singapore’s current national record holder for this distance.

Soh Rui Yong will also race in the marathon event, alongside compatriot Ashley Liew Wei Yen. Both athletes have recently taken leave from their academic commitments to train for the SEA Games marathon in Flagstaff, Arizona, and Iten, Kenya, respectively.

In the women’s category, Renuka Satianathan and Ethel Lin Zhi Yun will be running for Singapore in the 5000m event.

Ethel will also be running in the 10000m event, with fellow representative Mok Ying Rong.

Rounding up for the women’s marathon event are runners Neo Jie Shi and Rachel See.

Here is the full list of athletes who will be representing Singapore in the SEA Games 2015.

We wish our Singaporean runners and athletes all the very best for the SEA Games 2015!

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