Restart your New Year's resolution
2015 started out with so much promise – specifically, a promise to pound some pavement and get fit. Our goal of eventually participating in some sort of fun run (big emphasis on fun) during the year has pretty much been left to wither and die. However, as our other halves pointed out (yeah, thanks), there’s still a lot of 2015 to be had and it’s jam-packed full of events that require lacing up. So, in the spirit of Easter and the new life that it brings, we’re starting our new year in April with the same old resolution. Better late than never. If you want to get in on the action, here’s a list of all the marathons, half marathons and runs taking place in Singapore for the rest of this year. Just do it, as they say.
April
The NTUC Income Run 350 on the 5 April 2015 is South East Asia’s first eco-run, and it’s all about raising awareness about the need to protect the planet. The minimum age is 18 for the half marathon (16 for the 10km), though the little ones can take part in an 800m dash. Run to your own beat of your own soundtrack in The Music Run on the 11 April 2015. The 5km racecourse will be split into five one-kilometre long music zones (rock, pop, retro, hip hop and dance) with playlists designed by your votes. A run with tunes is our kind of style.
May
Mark your calendars for the Energizer Night Race Singapore (2 May 2015) in Mandai and the HomeTeamNS REAL Run (18 May 2015) at Sentosa! Get the kids addicted to the chase and sign them up for the 1.6km race or 800m dash in the Cold Storage Kids Run on 17 May 2015. Details on the Meiji Run (23 May 2015) and Pocari Sweat Run (24 May 2015) are coming soon as well, so stay tuned for more!
June
Registration fees starting to add up? Not to worry, sign up for the No Frills Run (7 June 2015, registration starts from $8) and run for the sheer joy of it! This race strips away all the bells and whistles but the organisers aren’t taking any chances with safety by providing first aid and plenty of liquid to stay hydrated.
July
Can’t face the intense heat? Take part in one of Singapore’s biggest races, the Sun Down Marathon (4 July 2015) at dusk. The night will come alive as an estimated 30,000 runners take to the streets for the full or half marathon, as well as a 10km race and the addition of a 5km fun run this year. For even more choice over race distances, the Tri-Factor Run on 26 July 2015 gives you the four options of a 1km, 5km, 12km and 24km run.
August
On the 22 August 2015, do your bit for charity at the Frost & Sullivan Corporate Challenge Charity Run 2015 (5km/10km) through Macritchie Reservoir. All proceeds will go to Bright Hill Evergreen Home, a voluntary welfare home for the sick elderly. Or if you want to up the ante, this is the month to take on a Triathlon. A good one to watch too, the Tri-Factor Triathlon is happening on 23 August 2015. But, honestly, our fave has got to be The Colour Run! This ultra happy Sentosa spectacle took place in August last year and we’re standing by for 2015 details.
September
Push yourself to the absolute limit at Craze Ultra (currently scheduled for 5 to 6 September 2015), a 100 mile (160km) run starting from MacRitchie Reservoir. Can’t face the full stretch? Opt for the smaller distances of 43km, 78km or 101km instead (no, not for us either). If slow and steady is more your style, escort your kids to the POSB PAssion Kids Run (13 September 2015 at Marina Promontory). It’s for a good cause too: funds raised help needy children in Singapore have a brighter, happier childhood.
October
This is not for the faint-hearted. If your training has involved scaling the slopes of Hawaiian islands or Sahara sand dunes then perhaps you have what it takes to take on the Bedok Reservoir Ultramarathon (31 October 2015), where you’ll run a minimum of 12 laps of the 4.3km route around the perimeter of the Reservoir. Proceeds will go to the Bone Marrow Donor Programme. If you don’t take your running too seriously then mark Halloween by participating in the Race The Dead and Run For Your Lives zombie runs. Ghouls coming up the rear will provide plenty of incentive to move your legs. Details to be announced.
November
One just for the ladies: apparently there’s a nice sense of achievement surrounding the Great Eastern Women’s Run. If you’ve done it before, you’ll receive a discount too – there’s an incentive. There’s also the annual Run For Hope, in support of cancer research and awareness. When it comes to the Swissôtel Vertical Marathon, the only way is up. At the crack of dawn, climb the 1663 (that’s 73 floors!) of one of Singapore’s tallest and greet the sunrise on the roof – it’s worth it. (Dates have yet to be confirmed.)
December
Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore is considered the marquee event of the Singapore running calendar. End the year on a real runner’s high by spending the first Sunday of December (6 December 2015) running past Singapore’s iconic landmarks including the Esplanade, Orchard and even Sentosa.
Top image: The Colour Run