Newton Run 2011

Looking forward to this 30km run as a build up to my Standard Chartered Marathon in roughly a month time from the run BUT unfortunately I had to be fall sick a week prior to the race. The fever and diarrhea refuses to give in and the risk of training without dirtying my shorts is relatively low. No way I am risking it.

Stuffs you get for this experience (Watch not included in this picture)

Nice Number - 1122!

Medal - Front View

Medal - Back Picture

Paying SGD 68 for this race was slightly on the steeper side even with a MIO Heart Rate Monitor watch. In order to keep the momentum for the ultimate goal at year end, I signed this up as a gauge run. Exploring more into the goodie bag, useful stuff that could be found were a Newton Dri-fit Running Tee, a Pocari Sweat 1L Casual Squeeze Water Bottle, a sample Banana boat Sunscreen (SPF UVB 30), a bottle of Pocari Sweat, one bar of Soyjoy and catalogs and more vouchers (Sorry but they totally don't appeal me). Finishing the race entitles me to a finisher medal that is in the shape of a shoe which is so gigantic, it's kind of a designer fail for me. The finisher towel soaked in ice water was actually the prefect gift after the whole race. 

Backtracking to 7am of race day, we had planned to reach the East Coast Park 30 minutes in advance but a jam towards the carpark just didn't help. The jam shouldn't be there if not for all the taxis that was sharing the same lane. The carparks near the starting point was mostly full and the nearest one Vivian could park was at the carpark near Maconald, which was 1.5km away from the starting point.

There were a couple of puzzling questions that bothered me though. Yes, I am a troublesome runner.

1. Why was the 30km runner's start time at 7am knowing that the noon sun would be scorching hot.
2. Why did the 18km and 30km runners start concurrently creating a huge number of runners on the running trail. (Deprives the elite runners of space as well.)
3. Why use such big Pocari plastic cups when they were only meant to be 1/4 filled. Hydration was good but shouldn't we be thinking environmental friendly as well.
4. Paying such premium price for a good experience, shouldn't better timing system be used? I have seen many runners missing checkpoints when they actually crossed it. (I am one of the victims) and when runners walked past the checkpoint a second time, it picked up the signal again. This messes up the ranking system as well, defeating its purpose. And what was the marshaller sitting at the checkpoint for?
5. Guntime is used to determine the winners but since there are two waves, shouldn't a Net time ranking be given as well since that is what most runners would like to witness.
6. There were other runners and bikers on the road but I think that can't be helped since we are sharing the public running road.
7. The medal? Fashion disaster. 
8. The booth at the carnival could be more entertaining but its just a bonus to have.

Now for the better part of the race.

• Spacious trail route with a nature.
• Hydration points were very sufficient and properly spaced.
• There was energy booster station (Gels and bananas.)
• Marshaller were placed at crucial turning points, although some of them could be more enthusiastic.
• The finisher towel was a good idea as a gift and a cold, wet one is fantastic.
• Some supporters and photographers were great motivators along the road.
• Signage were clear.

Overall, I didn't have a great experience although many others will think otherwise. I just felt the money paid is not justifiable for the standard provided but this is only One Man's Opinion.

Photos credit to Alexandra Lee

Photo credit to Mileage Runner

Photo credit to Ng Chee Beng

Last 50 metres. From my frantic waving dear!

On stage. One need not be a winner to feel like one.

The Runner's Dance!

Thanks to Vivian's ride to recent race event!

My Number 1 fan!