Race Review: Green Corridor Run 2014

By

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May 19, 2014

I decided that I’d train through this race, instead of taking a few days out before the race as usual. So I did a long run on tuesday (vesak day), some interval work on thursday and a macritchie loop on saturday morning ahead of the Green Corridor Run on Sunday morning. This kept my week total up around the 50k mark

So I wasnt quite sure what this would mean for my performance on the day – but was keen to find out if the recent higher mileage weeks would be good base, or give me legs to tired to race.

The Mount Sinai Striders were out in force today, with :

Neil , Pete, Pete’s mate Rob and Jo. Neil and Rob not around when we took the mandatory Sinai Striders pre race pic

This year, wave one was an 0900 flag off, one of the positives of the complaints from local residents after last year was that there was no MC or music at the start of the race, just one guy (not the idiot DJ from 98 FM) talking quietly for a few minutes

After a short delay, we got started just before 0910. I was about 70-80 people from the start and had a solid uneventful first few kilometres. I remember last year falling in a effort to overtake a bunch of people too early, this year I was determined to bide my time and go through when the opportunity arose on the trail.

Despite the wet, the trail was (I thought) in very good condition, it’s only really on the section after Holland Road where there are more mountain bikers using the trail to get to Bukit Timah that it churns up a bit. The first section even with a few days of rain was really very smooth. My preferred puddle technique on a trail is just to run straight through them – they are rarely deeper than a few inches, especially in the middle of a trail. This served me well yesterday and I was able to overtake many people as they took uneccesary detours around the edge of the trail.

Good pace and through 2k in around 9 minutes, with 5k passing in around 22.45. I then had my customary slight dip at 6-7k (actually not a dip in pace interestingly, just a dip in mood!). This I think is around 6.5k (at Buona Vista).

Got to around 8k and was starting to pick off runners in the groups ahead, definitely feeling strong – although since my wife and daughter think I look ‘at least 60’ in this pic, perhaps I didnt look as good as I felt.

Anyway, soon enough we were at the 9k mark, where I started to debate with myself when I should kick on. Decided not to go at 9, nor 9.5, eventually went at 10k, which proved too late as the supposed 600m was actually less than 400, so I wasted the opportunity to go earlier.

Great race, perfect conditions for trail running when I was out there. At the finish I met Neil, who finished 9 seconds and 6 places ahead of me – yet somehow we hadn’t seen each other the whole race.

As we were waiting for Pete the heavens opened and a torrential downpour began that lasted at least an hour. This is the finish area, taken from the drinks tent

We ended up running back to Mount Sinai, so all in all around 14k for the day

I REALLY like this race, it’s simple, well managed, very ‘un corporate’ and a reminder (for me) of what races used to be like.

Chip Time: 47.09, 71st place. 3 minutes quicker than Green Corridor 2013, so I guess that’s a PB!

Next up is the Sundown Marathon on May 31st!

Finally – big shout out to the volunteers and photographers who sat out in the rain all morning! Kudos!

I hope everyone that did the green corridor had a great time, and hope to see you all again next year.

There’s plenty of room on the busy Singapore race calendar for this unique, simple trail run.

Veteran Ironman Adrian Mok’s running tips

By

PrisChew

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May 17, 2014

Running Tips From Veteran Ironman Adrian Mok – for Sundown Marathon

Adrian Mok, a former national triathlete and endurance athlete, recently gave a talk to runners – in the lead up to the Sundown Marathon. Adrian, the founder of HiVelocity and the brains behind the Sundown Marathon, shared with runners, how to interpret the data on their heart rate monitors and also gave running tips in other areas, such as building running mileage and tapering for a marathon.

Here are some of the highlights of the talk.

Monitoring Heart Rates are Important

Monitoring your heart rates through the heart rate monitor will help you to understand your own limitations, according to Adrian.

This will prevent you from pushing yourself beyond your capacity – which may even result in heart failure. Endurance athletes can collapse and die because of this.

So by using heart rate monitors, you will be better equipped to decide when to push harder and when to slow down – to give your heart a break.

And training with a heart rate monitor is all about working in the different heart rate zones.

adrian mok running tips sundown marathon 3 — With Adrian Mok after the talk.

Heart Rate Zones

There are five zones, according to the intensity that your heart is working at.

Zone 1 is for activities done at 50 to 60 per cent of the maximum heart rate (MHR) such as strolling or walking.

Zone 5 is for activities done at 90 to 100 per cent of the MHR. This zone is generally used by elite athletes to push themselves towards victory at the end of a race generally. Here, your heart is working at almost its maximum capacity.

Building Marathon Distance

According to Adrian, to train for a marathon such as Sundown Marathon, you should only build mileage up to 30 or 32 kilometres. If you try and run further, you are putting yourself at a higher risk of injury as the body may not be able to cope with the demands.

adrian mok running tips sundown marathon 1 — A group photo

Tapering For A Marathon

Adrian also said that before the marathon, your longest run should be roughly three weeks before race day. After that you should start tapering.

But tapering does not mean to take it easy. You need to maintain the intensity of your training, but just try and cut down on the volume of your training sessions.

Click here to read more tips on heart rate measurement and running tips from Adrian Mok.

Race Preview : The Green Corridor 2014

By

sinaistrider

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May 15, 2014

The Green Corridor Run

Hello everyone. I’m very happy to be a new blogger on the site. For my first post I thought I’d do a little preview / build up for the Green Corridor Run 2014 coming up this Sunday.

10.6k from Tanjong Pagar Railway Station up the KTM to Bukit Timah Railway Station

I did this event last year and really enjoyed it – it was in January, with a 0700 flag off, this year in May with a 0900 flag off.

I guess the late start is due to complaints from residents in Everton Park area? Perhaps we could try having an event without an ‘MC’ and keep the earlier flag off – I know lots of people who’d be very happy not to hear ‘make some noise’ 10 or 20 times before they race 🙂

Singapore is of course a small place and so meeting people you’ve seen before is pretty common, but still I was (pleasantly) surprised to see the lad from this 2013 GC Race pic (me on left in Red, lad on right in white) at a recent Macritchie Runners 25 5k time trial – he’s a good runner – did the MR25 5k in around 22mins so keep an eye out for him in the future 🙂

Also last year I was talked into doing the Commando Challenge with some friends. It was a fun event, but I won’t be doing any more obstacle races – I’m an old school runner and all this climbing and jumping isn’t really my thing.

My latest competitive effort on the Green Corridor.

So this will be my third competitive run on the Green Corridor – I’m really looking forward to it – I’m finding the Marina Bay / Tanjong Rhu 10k/21k circuit a bit boring and I’m really happy to get back out on the trail.

Last weekend I ran the stretch from Rifle Range Road to Holland Road as part of a long run up to Bukit Timah Hill and the course was looking in great condition. After this I picked up the race pack – I must admit the vest is very bright, would have been nicer if it was a little less luminous, but I like the design and the absence of sponsor logos. Not sure about the references to New York and Paris, I guess they are trying to build a global brand.

My Top Tips for an enjoyable Green Corridor Run this weekend:

1) Go steady. Expect to be slower than you are on the road. Take in the scenery. It’s 10.6k, so unless you do the exact same race again, the time is meaningless – so dont chase the PB.

2) Watch out for the cobbles. Under the AYE there are some very large stones which are quite uncomfortable to run on, particularly if you run in minimalist type shoes. So expect this, wear some more cushioned shoes and watch your footing under there.

3) Mind the Gap. Unless something changes, there will be a bit of a bottleneck just after the start where everyone has to run through a gate in the fence to access the Trail itself. Expect this, dont let it distract you – after this it’s clear trail all the way

4) Keep it clean. Try to put your empty plastic cup into the bins after the drink stations, we can’t throw them on the road here like we can at a regular road race.

I was going to add ‘Enjoy a McBreakfast at the finish’ but King Edward McDonalds has been demolished since last year, so no McMakan for us 🙁

That’s about all for this post. I’ll be back again with a post race report – it’s a busy weekend, also got to collect my race pack for Sundown (21k)!

This is me – runner M6570 – give me a wave or a nod or say hello.

Sundown Marathon 2014: 3 weeks to go!

By

_Hitman

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May 12, 2014

3 weeks to go

… to the annual Sundown Marathon. I have a special thing towards the Sundown marathon, as this was the first 42k that I competed and completed in 2011. It’s a first for me, and definitely a humbling and gruelling one…

First attempts in 2011 and 2012

I was doing well until the 25km mark, and when I started to walk, I could not pick up pace to even jog after that, and everything just fell apart for me… I walked the entire rest of the distance, finishing at a time of 7 hrs 12 mins for my first ever marathon. And thereafter, I told myself that I want to improve…

The most memorable was the 2012 one where most runners braved the heavy downpour to complete the race…. and so did I… and suffered abrasions thereafter.

Fast forward, 3 years and 7 marathons later, I’m a lot more prepared to run marathons, and I’ve managed a timing of 5 hrs 15 mins in the recent 2XU marathon.

I’m now targeting a below 5 hrs finish in 3 weeks… and I know I will be able to do it.

Let’s do this… Woo-ah!

Costume races and cosplay marathon runners

By

Team JustRunLah!

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May 10, 2014

Creative marathon runners around the world

Looking for costume ideas for your next race? We have put together a collection of some of the most creative costumes seen in races and marathons all over the world.

London Marathon, U.K.

Don’t drink and run!

No chickening-out for this one.

The bird is the word.

Rubik’s cube – a very creative one.

The Paddington bear.

Save the rhino. An amazingly detailed costume.

Still looking for those droids…

Must be hot in there…

Hong Kong Marathon

Sharks came out to play.

Tokyo Marathon

Not much to comment here…

Another nominee for the special effects award!

Gold Coast Airport Marathon, Australia

Running to freedom.

Geelong Half Marathon, Australia

This duo of runners decided to go in a camel costume.

Vancouver Sun Run

Nom nom nom

New York City Marathon

As if running a full marathon wasn’t bananas enough!

Brighton Marathon

We finally found him.

Boston Marathon

The king lives!

Bonus: San Diego Costume Party Run Half Marathon & 5K (Link)

A costume-only race in the U.S.A., and what’s more, this half-marathon has the world’s biggest finisher medal!

The design of the medal is a Classic 45 Record, with silhouettes of dancing party people and a real disco ball in the center.

Featured photo credit: Photo by PA Photos / cntraveller.com

Singapore Blade Runner Returns to the Boston Marathon

By

PrisChew

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May 9, 2014

Singapore Blade Runner Returns to the Boston Marathon

He was in the centre of the Boston Marathon bombings last year. But instead of letting that discourage him, Shariff Abdullah Peters, who is better known as the Singapore Blade Runner returned to the scene of the bombings this year in April.

According to Shariff, who runs with a prosthetic leg, he had wanted to complete the run not only for himself, but also for the people of Boston too.

However, despite his running experience, this year’s Boston marathon was far from easy for this 44-year-old mobility impaired athlete.

Suffering flashbacks

Shariff had suffered fears and flashbacks during the marathon race and began to wonder whether he would even be able to complete the marathon – because of his ill-fated experience there, last year.

These fears eventually went away soon after he started running, but came rushing back when he reached the same point as the bombings last year. This had been 800m from the finishing line.

It also didn’t help during the race either, when Shariff faced problems with his prosthetic leg. The alignment of this leg had shifted slightly, thus causing him immense pain, from the 18-mile mark onwards.

So Shariff had to bear with agony for the rest of the race.

But never once did he contemplate giving up, despite the fear, pain and suffering that he had been going through during the race.

Made it to the finishing line

Shariff eventually made it to the finishing line – with the help of an American lady, Jennifer Nocella Dugan, who had been a guide for another mobility impaired runner. She had seen Shariff struggling, shortly after his prosthetic leg had shifted. After that, she was determined to help him reach the finishing line.

And she definitely succeeded in her goal. Shariff crossed the finishing line in about 7 hours and 11 minutes – thus succeeding in his quest to complete the marathon for the people of Boston.

Click here for a moving account of Shariff’s Boston Marathon experience.

Are You Man Enough? (Slightly NSFW – You’ve been warned!)

By

Team JustRunLah!

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May 6, 2014

Editor’s Note: Today’s JustRunLah! post is a little cheekier than usual. We hope it brings a smile in the middle of a work week!

Runners are well-aware of the reported benefits of compression sportswear – some swear by it, some insist that it makes no difference whatsoever. Whatever your stand on the matter is, I don’t think anyone could have expected how far one company took its compression technology. Let me present to you: Gilmore Support Shorts

Due to design technology, the Gilmore Support Shorts target areas that are often missed by other shorts because the genital pouch allows maximum compression around the Pubic Symphysis and groin areas.

Ummm…

Here is poor Wilfried Zaha, who, as some of you soccer fans might know, is playing for Cardiff City. He does not look very happy, does he? Indeed, what he’s wearing are Gilmore compression shorts, providing a little more support than traditional compression shorts. The tagline for this particular brand of compression shorts is “The next generation of scientifically designed compression shorts”, purportedly ensuring that your precious jewels are well-protected enough to produce your next generation as well. *snigger* For that extra support, however, one would not only have to be quite confident of his manhood, but have deep pockets too, as it could cost up to a whopping 220GBP!

I, for one, hope it NEVER makes an appearance on our shores. Running a race is already as difficult as it is, I don’t need to be looking at other dudes’ kukubirds.

Tips for improving speed and efficiency

By

PrisChew

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May 6, 2014

Becoming a Faster and More Efficient Runner

Becoming a faster and more efficient runner definitely does not mean longer and harder training sessions on a frequent basis. You may even get injured if you train more than your body can tolerate.

Try focusing on the following, instead.

Exercise Your Core Muscles and do Basic Drills

To run faster, you need to strengthen your core muscles. However, these exercises are not all about doing sit-ups and crunches (also see sit ups vs crunches). They include different type of workouts and drills to strengthen various parts of your body and your core muscles. These include push-ups, burpees, jumping jacks and lunges.

Click here to find out more about core muscle exercises and drills.

Do Hill Running

Doing hill running workouts will help you to improve as a runner. This is because running hills add more intensity and resistance to your workout. Consequently, you will soon find it a breeze to run on flat ground – and be both faster and more efficient.

Click here to read more about hill running.

Have Enough Recovery Time

Rest and recovery is very crucial to any runner, especially for running speed and efficiency. Running causes your body to wear down, so resting helps it to heal from the constant pounding on the pavement. After a hard day of exertion, you should take it easy the next day.

Do Tempo Runs

Tempo runs will help to boost your running speed and efficiency too. And as an example, if you are doing a 5km tempo run, complete the first 1km at a slow and easy pace that you feel comfortable with. Then for the final 4km, go all out and see how long you can sustain this increased pace.

Click here for more tips on how to become a faster runner.

Click here for tips to become a more efficient runner.

Introducing “Singapore Race Database”

By

Team JustRunLah!

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May 4, 2014

Your one-stop for racing information

With more than 100 races taking place annually, the Singaporean runner is spoilt for choice when deciding which ones to take part in. In fact, the dazzling array of choices could prove to be a bane rather than a boon, especially for new runners.

If you’re a recreational runner, which events are suitable for you? Which ones have a fun element? If your New Year’s resolution is to run a marathon by the end of the year, which ones will give you enough time to train? What are the differences in price? T-shirt design? Medal design? City route or nature route? Oh, and what if you simply wanted to recall certain information about past races, like the route map or the runners entitlement, but couldn’t locate the information?

Hold on to your seats, racers, JustRunLah! is launching the Singapore Race Database, the first of its kind in the online running community!

It provides all the information on past and forthcoming running events in Singapore. We also provide a space for runners to rate and leave reviews about past races, so future participants will be better informed before deciding to take part. Think of it as a hybrid of the functions of Wikipedia and Tripadvisor! And just like Wikipedia, all users can contribute information to the database, so we welcome you to take part!

For each race, we have archived the following (where available):

Date and flag-off time
Venue
Categories
Event day schedule
Race logo
Website / Facebook
Registration fees break-down
Runner’s entitlement break-down and photos
Route maps
Medal photos
Race singlet / finisher t-shirt sketches and photos
Race winners list
Links to off-site blog posts and reviews

Click here to visit the database!

Sorting, filtering and search options

For easy browsing, you can sort the events by title or date. Also, you can choose to display events only of a certain category (e.g. Full Marathons, Half Marathons, 10km, 5km or other), or display only upcoming events (or only past events), or even choose to display only races of a specific year (e.g. all races in 2014). Events that fall under multiple categories will be listed as long as you select any relevant category. All sorting and filtering can be done at the left-hand column. Or, if you’re looking for a specific race, simply enter it into our dedicated search engine.

Result page for search term "RunNus" — Result page for search term “RunNUS”.

User rating and comments

Let your voices be heard! All the listed races can be rated by our members on key attributes, such as route planning, pre-race logistics, hydration and amenities or runner’s entitlement. Comments and reviews by our readers are also welcome and can be published using the form at the bottom. Want to find out what are the top-rated races? The top 20 races with best overall score can be found at the left-hand menu.

Top rated running, calculated from our members’ votes.

Our rating system where readers can vote.

Gallery views

A must for the Medal Hunters out there! You can view finisher medals, route maps, race apparel or runners entitlement galleries. Here, only photos are displayed, so as to let the pictures do the talking!

Add / edit an event

JustRunLah! is a user-centered website and we could have not done all these without the running community, you. Everybody can add a race or update information (e.g. submit better photos, add additional details) on an existing one. There are currently two ways to do this. First, you can submit the race details to us using the form provided here; we will process your submission as soon as possible, the second is to become a contributor for JustRunLah!. All contributors have access to a special back-end interface and can add races directly themselves. You will be able to start and maintain your own running blog from the same account. Click here to read more on how to become a contributor.

We would like to thank the forum members who helped us by beta-testing and with their feedback.

Please let us know what you think of this new feature and how we can further improve it.

366 Marathons in 365 days. Impossible? Meet Annette Fredskov.

By

PrisChew

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May 3, 2014

Completing 366 Marathons in One Year

For some runners, two or three marathons in one year is probably enough – let alone 366.

But one Danish woman, Annette Fredskov, ran 366 marathons in 365 days – from July 2012 to July 2013.

That meant she completed one marathon every day – without any rest. Annette even ran a double marathon on the final day.

What is even more astounding, is that this feisty lady was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This condition affects the central nervous system and may cause the limbs to become numb or even paralysed. But after running continuously, Annette thinks that her MS condition has been cured – as she hasn’t had symptoms for a few years now.

Started with a Dream

Annette’s 366 marathons a day journey had begun with a dream of hers and a desire to run marathons – instead of going to work.

So she quit her job and set out to fulfill her dream of marathon running. The rest is history.

A Supportive Family

Annette was lucky to have a very supportive family who believed in her throughout the whole marathon project. Instead of thinking that she was crazy, they had the confidence that she would be able to achieve her goal.

And in the end, Annette showed that they were right to have believed in her running abilities.

Challenges

During the marathon journey though, Annette did face plenty of challenges.

For example, there were times when she felt really tired and simply wanted to spend time resting and doing nothing taxing. But with the support of her husband and two children, who never let her quit, she managed to achieve her dream.

Annette also suffered a shin splint injury at the beginning of her marathon project. But instead of quitting and postponing her dream to another time, she decided to power-walk instead of running – during her two weeks of recovery.

Click here to read an inspiring interview with Annette on her 366 marathons in 365 days.

SKORA Phase-X Review: Turn Night Into Day

By

TheRunningAngmoh

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April 29, 2014

SKORA Phase-X: THE shoe for night-time runners.

I do believe that a picture is worth a thousand words and a video says it all, so I thought to start my review of SKORA Phase-X running shoes with one.

SKORA Running is a small shoe company based in Portland, Oregon, which has brought us a plethora of quality running shoes, such as the SKORA FORM, SKORA FIT and SKORA PHASE.

I recently got my hands on a pair of SKORA Phase-X, a minimal running shoe with amazing design and performance, and I am sharing my experience with you.

Design & style

I don’t usually trust commercials, so, I had to see it with my own eyes to believe how much these shoes light up when hit by headlights!

Phase-X has reflective materials everywhere – from upper mesh to the laces. Not only do they look really cool, but they also offer added safety for night-time runners like me.

Asymmetric lacing and no-tongue design are two characteristics commonly found in SKORA products. Apart from giving the shoe a unique look, they also make it feel more comfortable. Unsurprisingly, Phase-X has adopted both features.

These photos were taken with / without flash, and the colors have not been edited in any way!

Performance & technical info

The Phase-X is a lightweight, high-performance, zero-drop runner. Zero-drop means that the cushioning under your toes is the same height with that under your heels, which allows for a more natural run (you can read more about heel-to-toe drop here).

The first thing I noticed when I tried them on was their ample toebox. This is something I look for in shoes, and I can say that SKORA Phase X comes at the just right size: not too tight to suffocate your foot, and not too ample to make runs feel sloppy.

The open-weave mesh upper is flexible, lightweight and extremely breathable, perfect for the hot weather conditions in Singapore.

Cushioning is 11mm (including 3mm removable antimicrobial insole) and the outsole is made of Injection Blown Rubber (IBR), which enhances ground feel – you really feel what you are running on.

Last but not least, SKORA shoes have an anti-slip heel pad which keeps your foot comfortable and locked in place.

Verdict

All in all, this shoe is my choice for when I want to go minimal and don’t need to have extra cushioning. They engulf my feet nicely, feel natural and perform well in everyday runs. I haven’t tried them on a trail yet, but will do so during my Green Corridor Run!

skora_phase_x_box — Back from the store!

skora_phase_x_out_the_box — Ready to Run Real?

skora_phase_x_under_flash — Photographed with flash.

Over 12,000 Participants Came Together For a Greener Tomorrow at the Fifth Edition of NTUC Income RUN 350, Organised by Young NTUC

By

Team JustRunLah!

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April 28, 2014

Singapore, 27 April 2014 – Early this morning, Southeast Asia’s premier eco-run, NTUC Income RUN 350, Organised by Young NTUC saw a record number of over 12,000 runners, more than 500 volunteers and 21 partners come together in support of the global 350 movement. The fifth edition of the race welcomed participants from 64 different countries who ran for a greener tomorrow.

Mr Lim Swee Say, Secretary-General of NTUC, was present to award the winners in the respective categories. RUN 350 saw runners participating in two categories – the 10km run and the 350m Kids Dash.

Held at the F1 Pit Building, RUN 350 aims to raise awareness of the climate crisis facing our Mother Earth. The atmospheric carbon dioxide level currently stands at 400 parts per million, but the level must be lowered to 350 parts per million in order to preserve our planet.

Dubbed an eco-run, RUN 350 practices eco-friendly initiatives that support their green cause. This year, RUN 350 became the first run in Singapore to introduce its inaugural Medal Recycling Campaign which collected a whopping 6,482 donated medals islandwide. The public was encouraged to donate their old or unwanted medals at collection points islandwide. The medals were then recycled and given a new lease of life to become brand new medals for finishers of this morning’s race.

Mr Steve Tan, Executive Secretary of Young NTUC, said, “What started as a little dream of a group of like-minded young people has become an annual event in the local environmental grid and local sporting calendar. RUN 350 has taken off far beyond our wildest imagination and we thank everyone involved in this year’s event for helping us to make our dream a reality. Today, we witnessed over 12,000 runners participate in RUN 350. We surpassed last year’s record number of participants and it is gratifying to see so many people come together to support a movement that affects our Mother Earth. At Young NTUC, we represent, advocate and mobilise when a cause calls for it, and RUN 350 was realised on behalf of the 350 movement. We thank you for joining us in our effort to raise awareness for a greener tomorrow.”

In addition to the Medal Recycling Campaign, RUN 350 embarked on many green initiatives this year including encouraging participants to partake in the Bring-Your- Own-Bottle (BYOB) initiative to training runs as well as to the actual race. The effort helped to reduce the use of disposable plastic bottles and paper cups. On-site, there were over 200 bicycle racks available for participants who chose to cycle to the race venue. Eco-partners also set up booths to showcase their various causes such as 350 Singapore, Save That Pen, ECO Singapore and Ground-Up Initiative.

RUN 350 collaborated with the Public Hygiene Council to drive a number of litter-free initiatives to bring the litter-free messaging to the forefront of runners’ consciousness. Running route maps in race booklets, EDMs to runners and Facebook medium were used to serve as reminders to runners to keep the event site litter-free. Initiatives implemented during the run include litter-free messaging on Bins and Screened Disposal Areas and announcements to keep the event site litter-free. More than 200 volunteers were also trained to become litter-free ambassadors to advise runners against littering on the race day.

Mr Marcus Chew, Vice President, Strategic Marketing, NTUC Income said, “NTUC Income RUN 350 drives the message of environmental sustainability, which is consistent with NTUC Income’s belief in a greener future. As the title sponsor for four years running, NTUC Income is proud to partner Young NTUC in furthering the 350 Movement. The record turnout this year and the public’s enthusiastic participation in the Medal Recycling Campaign leading up to the Run are evidence that support of the

350 Movement is gathering momentum. NTUC Income is glad to play a part in creating a better tomorrow for our loved ones.”

Unionists from the Labour Movement also took to the road at RUN 350 as part of the annual inter-union sports tournament, the U Games, which is now in its sixth year. “U Sports is glad to be part of this eco-run where members from different unions could race in friendly competition while showing their support to the cause and our environment,” said Mr Yeo Khee Leng, Chief Executive Officer, NTUC Club.

Race Review: NTUC Run 350 2014: We Ran (10km) for a better tomorrow

By

TheRunningAngmoh

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April 27, 2014

ntuc_run_350_2014_finishing_10km — We ran for a better tomorrow!

Heavy rain and thunders lead to Half Marathon cancellation

I had registered for the Half Marathon category, and arrived on site at around 5:00am (flag-off was scheduled for 5:30am). It was a bit cloudy but little did I know how much the weather was about to change.

It started drizzling at around 5:15am and by 5:30am, a full-on thunderstorm was on. Everybody sought for cover under the canopy tents or in the F1 Building. The rain was so heavy that even though I was standing under a ledge, I somehow managed to get soaked. A first announcement for delaying the flag-off right came on the speakers right away. The rain and thunder were going strong, so at around 6:15am the cancellation of the Half Marathon was announced. The fate of the 10km would be announced later.

ntuc_run_350_2014_21km_cancelled — Heavy rain and thunders lead to cancellation of the 21km race.

6:45am: Skies are clearing, 10km is a “GO”

As promised by the organiser (they did an excellent job updating us on time) the decision for the 10km was announced at around 6:45am. And luckily it was a “GO”! What’s more, 21km runners were welcome to join the 10km race – as a “fun run” however, that is, without official timing. Everybody was happy that the wait was over and the rain didn’t manage to ruin our run completely. We all entered the pen for a 7:15am flag off.

7:15am: Off we go!

Soon enough, the race was on. After the first few kilometres, we exited Republic Avenue and turned to Nicoll Highway. The loop was closed via Kallang Road. It was a very comfortable run in the after-rain breeze, and the red-coloured sky gave a unique look to the landmarks along the route. There were plenty of hydration points (I think I counted 5 or 6) offering both water and 100Plus, as well as WCs placed along the route. Despite the huge number of runners (which must have doubled due to the 21km runners ending up joining the 10km), I did not come across any bottlenecks or congestion along the race. Massage, food and drinks were available at the finishing line.

10km race is ON and all are welcome to join!

Along the route. — Shot along the route.

The verdict

Pros

– Cancelling such a big-scale event is not an easy business, yet I believe that the execution was perfect. There were timely updates via internet and sms and all staff werewell-informed and helpful.

– The 10km route was planned very well, and it accommodated the increased number of runners without any problems.

– Volunteers did an amazing job, I saw many of them helping people get cover from the rain by taking them under their umbrellas.

ntuc_run_350_2014_massage — Massage at finisher’s area.

ntuc_run_350_2014_medal — Finisher medal, made partly from recycled material.

Cons / room for improvement

– Post-race makan. Unless there was a tent I missed (let me know in the comments section), we were only given bananas after the race.

– Perhaps the organiser pulled the plug on the 21km race a bit too soon. From my perspective as a runner, it could have been flagged-off at 7:00am. I suppose there were good reasons (road closure and logistics) behind their decision though. At least official updates were coming on time.

Closing remark

I am generally against cancellations due to weather conditions, but there is absolutely no way the race could have been carried out as planned today. All in all – and I believe that most of the runners out there will agree – it turned out to be a very enjoyable 10km “fun run”. Despite the cancellation of the 21km category there was positive energy and smiles all around. Congratulations to the organisers for pulling this off, given the tough conditions. I am looking forward to next year’s NTUC Run 350.

Generous race pack! — The generous race pack with lots of coffee!

Lock Laces – Never have to tie your shoe laces again

By

TheRunningAngmoh

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April 26, 2014

A runner’s first world problem

Who hasn’t ever had to stop during a run -be it training or race- to tie his shoelaces? Now, if you are competing on a top level, this can be a major issue; for the rest of us, it is just a nuisance.

One that can luckily be resolved very easily and at a low cost, though, so why not go for it?

Introducing Lock Laces

So I got myself a pair of Nathan Lock Laces from Amazon for about S$ 10. There are other brands and similar products for you to choose from, but those seemed good enough for me.

Nathan guarantees for comfort, safety and claims that the laces are water-resistant and highly suitable for trail running and triathletes.

Fitting was easy, as they come with instructions, and it took less than 10 minutes (see video below).

My first impression was that they were a bit too tight, even when I tried to loosen them up. The shoe did seem to fit much better though.

What I particularly liked running in them is that they have some sort of “give” during the foot’s movements, but always getting back to the original form.

As you can see at the photos below (installed on my ASICS GT-2000) , they don’t look much different from standard laces, and the sliding mechanism is quite discreet.

asics gel nathan lock laces — A “before and after”, or rather a “with and without” shot. Running shoe Asics Gel GT-2000.

nathan lock laces review — The final product. Running shoe: Asics Gel GT-2000.

All in all, if you’ve ever found yourself pissed for having to tie your shoelaces in the middle of race, I would say give them a try. The are really inexpensive after all, and you can always go back to normal laces if you don’t like how they feel on the foot.

Tips From Top Runners for Sundown Marathon: Part II

By

PrisChew

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April 26, 2014

Who is Who

IT executive Marcus Ong (top) has conquered the Sundown Marathon twice. In 2009, he was the champion for the 10km race. And last year, he emerged victorious in the Men’s 4x10km relay category. Come May, he will be taking on the 10km race again – at Singapore’s biggest night race. Education Officer Wong Hoong Wei (left) conquered the Sundown Ultra Marathon (100km) last year in 9 hours 5 minutes and 34 seconds. It was his first win in the ultra running event. Here are a few tips from Marcus and Hoong Wei for Sundown Marathon this year.

Eat moderately

Marcus advises runners to eat moderately, in the build-up to the night race. And fried foods and drinking beer should be avoided, according to this top runner.

Have an afternoon nap

Hoong Wei says to plan an easy day before the race – to avoid unnecessary physical and mental stress. He also recommends having an afternoon nap on the day of the race – to help you stay awake.

Drink caffeine

According to Marcus, you could try and drink some caffeine to cope with the sleep bug. Perhaps a small bottle of coffee on your race belt may help.

Do not over-train

Hoong Wei recommends runners to listen to their body and not overdoing themselves when it comes to training for distance races such as the marathon. This is because more training does not mean that you will perform better during the race itself – and may simply increase chances of injury. Click here for more Sundown Marathon tips from Marcus Ong. Click here to read more of what Wong Hoong Wei says about night running.

Jurong Lake Run: Race History and Background

By

Team JustRunLah!

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April 25, 2014

The event

As the first and largest running event in the west of Singapore, Jurong Lake Run aims to promote healthy living and bring together people from all walks of life. Organised in the middle of each year at Jurong Lake Park, Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden, Jurong Lake Run infuses the typically serene landscape with fun and excitement.

Jurong Lake Run is a not-for-profit volunteer-driven event. Its motto – “Running as One” – represents the importance of community spirit; the importance of working together and contributing to society. Every year, volunteers come together to make Jurong Lake Run possible and a portion of the proceeds is donated to adopted beneficiaries.

But of course, Jurong Lake Run isn’t complete without Jurong Lake Expo and Jurong Lake Carnival. Sports enthusiasts can pamper themselves with great promotions on sporting products, services and events at the Expo. At the Carnival, one can expect games and entertainment for all ages.

History

2011

Participants: 6,500

Identity: First Mega Running Event in the West

Race Categories: 10km Competitive Run, 5km Fun Run

2012

Participants: 15,000

Charity: $250,000 raised for 7 beneficiaries

Identity: Running as One

Theme: Run For a Cause

Race Categories: 10km Competitive Run, 6km Competitive Run, 3km Walk-a-Jog

Beneficiaries:

The Singapore Children’s Society
Children’s Cancer Foundation
Loving Hearts Multi-Service Centre
Singapore Association for Mental Health
Aspiration Wan Qing Lodge
Lakeside Family Centre
Concern & Care Neighbourhood Link

In 2012, a Carnival at Jurong Lake Run was introduced, Carnival@JLR2012 where participants could immerse themselves in the booths, workshops and fringe activities that were specially lined up for them.

2013

Participants: 15,000

Charity: $140,000 raised for 4 beneficiaries (Club Heal, Lakeside Family Centre, Beacon of Life, PromisedLand Community Services)

Identity: Running as One

Theme: More Than Just a Run

Race Categories: 10km Competitive Run, 6km Competitive Run, 3km Walk-a-Jog, 850m Kids Dash

In 2013, a 850m Kids Dash was added to make it more inclusive for everyone by encouraging the young ones to also embrace a healthy and active lifestyle.

On top of that, participants could look forward to the extravaganza after the run at Chinese Garden to bask in the carnival atmosphere. Carnival@JLR2013 focused on health, fitness and wellness, promising an enjoyable time for all in the family!

Chinese Garden (裕华园), also commonly known as Jurong Gardens, is a park in Jurong East, Singapore. — Chinese Garden (裕华园).

jurong-park singapore — Jurong Lake Park

The Logo

The building block of the logo is inspired by two vital elements of the Jurong Lake Run, our runners and the Jurong Lake.

This is represented by the Stylised Runner seen below: Runner + Jurong Lake = Stylised Runner

The combination of 5 stylised runners in a forward pointing arrow formation relfects our vision as well as the 5 core values.

Red, Black and White are chosen as the primary colour scheme:

Red symbolises brotherhood and the passion of the community to help others.

Black symbolises the unlimited potential of the Jurong Lake Run community to change our society for the better.

White symbolises the opportunity for new beginnings, whether be it a healthier lifestyle, or being more engaged in the community.

Jurong Lake Run 2014 is back on June 21st. Don’t wait any longer and register now for this unique event!