Pocari Sweat Run 2013

I rarely do 10km races so it was a nice change to do something different after running several halfs and full marathons. I always find the shorter distance races are harder to run as the pace is always much higher. I was also wary about congestion as 10km and 5km distances tend to be favored by the general running population. 

While queuing in the pen, I heard the emcee mentioned that the race had about 7000 participants with 4000 people running in the competitive 10km category. This is a good size for a race and with 2 flag off waves so there was little congestion.

The start point was at Collyer Quay and we were faced with the 1st uphill as we head towards the Esplande Drive followed by another ramp at Raffles Avenue before turning into Gardens by the Bay. From here, we proceeded to Marina Barrage where we had to run up the circular ramp at Marina Barrage then down towards the bridge towards Gardens by the Bay (East) where the u turn point is. While on the bridge, the 1st runner was already on his way back and marshals on bike were peddling so hard to get ahead of him.

The distance from 5km to 6km seemed longer than 1km for some reason but it was good to be greeted by a hydration point just before the u turn. I reckon the most challenging part for most people was having to run up the circular ramp again at the Marina Barrage en-route back via the Gardens again towards Collyer Quay.

I like the route as I find it different from the previous ones I had done in 10km races and particularly more so because of the number of slopes. This is a challenging route so for the untrained it might prove to be quite daunting. 

Picture courtesy of Wilfred Mong of Yellow Fellows

Like most of my friends, I felt that the number of hydration stations were too few. I am not sure if it was intended that way or that was the only few locations approved by the authorities. In addition, drinks should be provided in paper not plastic cups because you can fold paper cups to minimise sloshing while drinking and running at the same time. 

I completed the race within an hour and exited with no congestion at the end point. Volunteers gave us bottles of pocari, bananas and the much coveted medal. I was also able to further fill my emptied out bottle with more pocari without much hassle or queue. Everything flowed like clockwork and the organisation is highly commendable. I don't mind doing this again next year. 

Ran with team 'Yellow Fellows' whose mission is to run and raise fund to create awareness and support for cancer research 

At 9.5km mark making a dash towards the finishing line