World Water Day 2012 Run with Team Fat Bird

Singapore celebrates World Water Day on 24th March 2012, a Saturday morning. World Water Day is an initiative to focus attention on the importance of water and advocating for the sustainable management of water resources. Activities held by community partners were conducted island wide at 15 different locations and I joined Team Fat Bird in celebrating this event by having a leisure run to Marina Barrage from UOB Plaza, right in front of the fatbird statue. There were other community activities like biking, walking, kayaking to Marina Barrage along the Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters).

A group picture before setting off

And Group 3 sets off

Photo taking at Helix Bridge

As the runners aim to reach Marina Barrage at 9am to join in the celebration, the group of 80 over runners set off at 7:30am in 3 different pace group. A sea of blue runners in the blue WWD visors set off from UOB Plaza, making a stop at Helix Bridge for photo taking. The group continue moving off towards Bayfront Link, Marina South, along Gardens by the Bay and finally stopped at Marina Barrage for the celebration. A total of 6km was clocked and everyone in gathered for a Marina Barrage group photo. The runners roamed around the barrage to enjoy the carnival, flea market and stage performance.

Pokka Sports Water for Thirst Quenching

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On the top of Marina Barrage

Team Fatbird Rocked Marina Barrage

Guest-of-Honour President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Minister Vivian Balakrishan, arrived on a water taxi at 9am and grace the event. Dr. Tony Tan gave his opening speech and launch World Water Day.

President Dr. Tony arriving on Water Taxi

National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA) officially launched a glossy coffee table book, Knowing Your ABCs – a collection of 55 photos taken at 17 Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) sites around the island during the event.

Prize presention for Water Conservation Competition was conducted shortly and plagues of appreciation were given to the respective partners for their participation in the event. A water pouring ceremony was conducted as the various VIPs and group leaders gathered to pour water into a huge board, which lit up the World Water Day wordings on the board. This is a symbolic gesture of clean water flowing.

A video of the morning's proceedings as well as the various participation groups from the different sites island wide were played out on the big lcd screen. The well put together video was well received which was shown through the great applause and cheers which really was encouraging.

After the ceremony, Team FatBird runners made their 6km route way back to UOB Plaza for a river clean-up operation. Minister Vivian Balakrishan arrived and there were group photo takings before the event comes to an official end.

12km completed! (To and Fro)

A final group picture with Dr Vivian

A great run with for a good cause. The awareness of bringing attention to the importance of water and to encourage everyone to contribute towards the water cause was hopefully brought across.