SAFRA Bay Run 2010

Yesterday Morning, I participated in one of the largest annual mass running event in Singapore which about 70,000 participated this year.  This is the 19th Safra Singapore Bay & Army Half Marathon and the weather was fantastic for the run.    The Marathon consists of different categories such as the competitive 21-km half-marathon and 10-km route, and non-competitive 5km fun run. 

I took part in the 21km half-marathon and woke up at 3.50am after a late night-out and sleeping for around 2 hours.   When I drove towards the Padang around 4.45am, I was surprised that the traffic was already very heavy from the CTE.   I abandoned the plan to park at the Swissotel Hotel which is the ideal and my preferred parkcark location for marathon and ended  up parking at the Fort Canning which made me ran additional km even before the race.  

By the time, I reached the starting point around 5.30am, it was already flagged off but there were still a lot of runners still behind me when I started jogging.   This year, was the first time, we ran past newly-built landmarks such as the Helix Bridge which is the 1st challenge for runner due to its upslope.
We then ran past the Marina Sands Integrated Resort and met with the 2nd challenge of the upslope of the iconic Benjamin Sheares Bridge before we reached the East Coast Park.  

  Thanks to the volunteers who helped relief the pains of many joggers who otherwise may not even finish the race.  They helped to spay cans of Salonpas on the aching legs of the joggers at many different places.  I had my knees sprayed a few times and it was very effective and have a cooling effect that made me forget about the ache.

There were many drinks stations providing water and isotonic sport drinks of 100plus to replenish water and clench the thirst of the jogger.  Some stations even provides cooling water sprays as well as bananas.  I had 3 bananas and plenty of drinks along the way

Cheers teams dotted along the route to motivate the runners.  I saw for the first time, cheerers standing from the open deck of the double-decker bus waving and cheering runners for the uphill Sheares Bridge run where motivation was needed the most.  Even YOG mascots, Lyo and Merly, were there to cheer.  However, for most of the male joggers, I believe you agree with me, the most entertaining ones were the pretty belly dancers near the Stadium.

Beautiful weather and beautiful scenery along the route make the running more enjoyable and fun.   Before we returned to the Padang, we by passed the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade, the Singapore Flyer and the F1 spectacle stand.

  Upon completion of the race, I rested and enjoyed the carnival that was held at the Padang.  The Padang was already packed with people by the time I returned.  The good thing was that the ground at the Padang was not muddy as compared to my previous runs due to the good weather.  There were free drinks, health product samples and enjoyable performances at the carnival.   After resting, I proceeded for a sumptuous breakfast to charge my energy up before heading home to sleep for 2 hours.  Exhausted but a fun day…looking for my next Full Marathon – the Standard Chartered Marathon in December.