2011 Raya Holidays + SAFRA Bay Run (September 2011) !

Singapore – I just love the place !!! Thanks to Marriott Vacation Club (MVC) promotion, Jenny signed up for a 3D2N stay @ Marina Bay Sands at a much discounted price (S$498+) versus a night’s room rate of S$450+ alone !! and we were lucky to have been upgraded to a city-view Premier Room ! Check out the awesome view !!!

We spent the 3 days just around the bay area, amazing ! So much to see and do.. Pretty much a man-made area nestled among heritage landmarks.

Of course I signed up for SAFRA Bay Run when I saw the run was on and the date co-incides with my trip ! I must say this is among the best runs I have ever participated ! Even though it was just a 10km run, the route was scenic, break-taking, well controlled traffic, lots of water stations, mist stations, cheer leaders along the way in the form of bands and music.. The only complain is probably the narrow stretch (2 lanes) along the Esplanade opposite the Marina Square where many walkers were blocking the path and we had to push and squeeze in between to be able to maintain the pace and momentum..

I didn’t get my official 10k PB but this is my actual PB @ 10k since the SPCA Charity 10k Run was only 9.3km and my PB was 53:34 ! But who cares ! My next target is to dip <50mins for a 10k !!

Time : 54:38 mins
Distance: 10.3km
Pace : 5:19mins/km

The results posting is also the best I have ever seen. So much details and analysis done.. Check it out !

I hope to make it back next year, hopefully to tag along a trip or something like that lah !!

My First overseas run - SAFRA Singapore Bay Run & Army Half Marathon

I will be running for my first ever overseas run, tagging along vacation trip to Singapore Marina Sands. I came across this run through the web and realized that it's the largest run in Singapore in terms of participants - 70,000 of them !!

Date : 4th Sep'11
Distance : 10km
Starting time : 7am
Starting Venue : Esplanade (The Durian)

See the comments from the web-site : http://www.safra.sg/page.aspx?pageid=300

"This annual mass running event is the largest in Singapore and jointly organised by SAFRA and The Army. The event comprises both the competitive 21-km half-marathon and 10-km routes. The social runners can participate in the non-competitive 5 km Fun Run as well.

The event aims to promote healthy lifestyle and reinforce SAFRA and the SAF’s emphasis on physical fitness. Over the years, participation has grown from 15,000 when it first started in 1992 to about 70,000 last year.

Participants will get to enjoy a unique route taking them over the new downtown around the Marina Bay area as well as pass historical places. Participants will also be entertained by the street side performances along the various running routes. The fun continues with stage performances at the end point carnival and complemented with various merchandise stalls offering promotional discounts on the wide range of sports related products."

So I have signed up for the 10KM.. Starting off at Esplanade (The Durian)@ 7am, run across the bay, pass the Marina Bay Sands.. So I hope to finish by 8am and then back to hotel for breakfast before heading back home !