A SPECIAL SUNDOWN MARATHON 2018 SUPPLEMENT BY RUN SINGAPORE MAGAZINE
THE NIGHT Sundown With Love Marathon Etiquette Volunteers After Dark ALSO INSIDE: RACE ESSENTIALS THE STORY OF SINGAPORE'S NIGHT RUN
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CONTENTS
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THE NIGHT
The Sundown Experience All about Singapore’s largest night-time marathon experience.
Float on Clouds
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Race Essentials
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All for a 18 Good Cause
The new ASICS GELNIMBUS 20 Platinum is here.
In need of new kit? We highlight a bunch of new running accessories.
Sundown Marathon ambassadors Marie Choo, Sng Boon Heng, Kennedy Yap and July Rey tell us why they run.
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CONTENTS
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Marathon Etiquette
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All for the Night
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Sundown Round the World
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Behind the Sundown
Will you be at any of these other night races?
To get every marathon running successfully, there’s a whole team of people behind the scenes. We speak to four people who help make the event a success.
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Your first race experience? Here’s what you really should not be doing!
A look back at the Sundown Marathon 2017.
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THE NIGHT A SPECIAL SUNDOWN SUPPLEMENT BY RUN SINGAPORE MAGAZINE
PUBLISHERS Jacqueline Wong jacqueline@boldink.com.sg Jasmin Oh jasmin@boldink.com.sg
EDITORIAL
CREATIVE
SALES
MARKETING
Editor Jackie Teo jackie@boldink.com.sg
Associate Art Director Jacinta Chong
Director Jacqueline Wong jacqueline@boldink.com.sg Tel: +65 9790 0905
Senior Executive Estelle Teo estelle@boldink.com.sg
Senior Executive Fiona Lee fiona@boldink.com.sg Tel: +65 9368 7560
CIRCULATIONS
Associate Editor Lionel Kong lionel@boldink.com.sg
CONTRIBUTOR Cheryl Tay
Graphic Designer Wendy Ling
Executive Caleb Goh caleb@boldink.com.sg Tel: +65 3389581
THE NIGHT is a publication of Bold Ink Magazines Pte Ltd 201A Thomson Road Singapore 307637 Tel: +65 6223 4258 www.boldink.com.sg Bold Ink Magazines Pte Ltd, Co. Reg. No. 201202104C All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed or implied in RUN THE NIGHT are those of the authors or contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers and advisory board.
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EDITOR'S NOTE
Welcome to the Night
W
hat started out as a far out idea, dreamed up in the mind of an avid marathoner and triathlete on one of his all-night training runs, has now blossomed into a major international brand. The Sundown Marathon is an event that is unique in the way that Singapore is one of the very few places in the world that could have started it. With our all-year tropical weather, reputation for low crime rates, and generally busy days, running after dark in Singapore has been a way that many running enthusiasts clock in the miles. Besides avoiding the heat of the day, for many busy people, this is practically the only way to reliably get time in to train. The event gets bigger every year, and this time it's no different. The heart of the Sundown Marathon has always been the runners that give
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their support this unique experience. It's a massive community, and while the front runners are there to win, there are thousands lining up for a hundred other different reasons. The organisers continually push the envelope to give participants a one-of-a-kind experience, and this year's race is no different. The routes may be familiar to Sundown regulars, but there is still plenty of new things to experience. For newcomers to the Sundown Marathon, whatever distance you may be running, this is going to be quite an experience, so soak it in even as the going gets tough!
Lionel Kong Associate Editor
AFTER A LONG DAY AT WORK, A GOOD RUN ALWAYS RE-ENERGISES MY SPIRITS! - Poon Zi Li, Singaporean Marathoner
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ABOUT SUNDOWN
OSIM SUNDOWN MARATHON 2018 DATE: 19 May 2018, Saturday RACE CATEGORIES: 5km Fun Run, 5km Youth/Adult, 10km Challenge, 21.1km Half Marathon, 42.195km Full Marathon, Team 10km Challenge RACE PACK COLLECTION: Thursday 10 – Sunday 13 May 2018 RACE START/FINISH: F1 Pit Building, Republic Boulevard TOTAL COMPETITOR TURNOUT: 30,000 runners www.sundownmarathon.com 10
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ABOUT SUNDOWN
taking place in the Eastern half of Singapore, Sundown Marathon moved into the city in 2012 and became the nation’s first night running event to flag off at Nicoll Highway. Since 2013, Sundown has put on a show under the stars at the F1 Pit Building, dazzling runners with Zumba sessions, live concerts, a food and beverage village and VIP packages.
O
rganised by HiVelocity Events, the Sundown Marathon injected a fresh jolt of energy into Singapore’s running scene when it became the nation’s first night marathon in 2008. From a humble attendance of just over 6,000 in the first year, Sundown Marathon has grown to become Asia’s largest night marathon with more than 30,000 runners signing up for this year’s race.
Fitness For You (F4U) acquired Sundown Marathon and as part of the event’s 10th anniversary celebrations in 2017, and subsequently took the race to China (Qingdao), Taiwan (Taipei) and Malaysia (Iskandar, Johor, and Penang) with great success. The event is Singapore’s first night race to be nominated twice for the prestigious International Sports Event Management (ISEM) Awards and, more recently, Marketing Events Awards, for the Best Sport-Oriented Event.
Now into its 11th year if running excellence, the Sundown Marathon Singapore is the perfect platform for runners of all levels, giving them the chance to step out of their comfort zone and challenge their limits.
Sundown Marathon has continuously pushed the boundaries and broken new ground year on year, fearlessly going where other running events fear to tread. Originally
ABOUT OSIM INTERNATIONAL PTE LTD
Title sponsor of the Sundown Marathon, OSIM is a global leader in healthy lifestyle products. Established in 1980, OSIM uses innovative retail concepts and is known for its range of innovative massage chairs. OSIM has produced iconic products such as uDivine, uLove, uInfinity, uAngel and uDiva. Ranked as Asia’s Number 1 brand in healthy lifestyle products, OSIM operates a wide point-of-sales, with more than 417 outlets in more than 97 cities across 20 countries in Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, Europe and North America.
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ABOUT SUNDOWN
THE BIRTH OF THE SUNDOWN IDEA The Sundown Marathon was born from an idea that first came to being in the mind of long distance running enthusiast and triathlete, Adrian Mok. 11 years on, he tells us about the challenge of making it the best night running experience in the region. preparation for it, I developed a night run routine whereby I would run through the night! The ‘eureka!’ moment probably came about during one of the longest sessions, but it was only when Hivelocity was born in 2007 did the full event for Sundown take place in May 2008.
How did the first Sundown Marathon come into being? Mok: The idea of the Sundown Marathon came about in 2005 when I was training for an ultramarathon. In the
How different is it logistically, when you compare the organisation of the first event to this year’s? Mok: We were rather inexperienced back in 2008. The event started in Changi Park opposite Changi Village, attracting 6,000 runners. Now, I would say the approach is way more professional
in all aspects. We rival many other international marathons, given that the participation has grown five times its size. The route has changed a few times over the years. How has this influenced the overall feel of the race? Mok: We moved the event to the city in 2011. This critical move was necessary to accommodate the growing participation rate. It also allowed us to create a signature run route that promotes Singapore as a travel destination, and the Sundown Marathon being part of that essential travel and run experience.
What do you feel are the main factors contributing to the growth and continued participation in the Sundown Marathon? Mok: I think a lot of “heart” has gone into meticulously crafting the event. I believe in the innovative spirit that motivates us to keep evolving this experience for the runners. The ethos of pushing our own physical limits lies behind how we craft our message for runners. Above and beyond, we strive to create a smooth delivery of the event such that runners can have a great experience. A night marathon is very different from running in the day, and we clearly try to define this experience for the runners.
"I believe in the innovative spirit that motivates us to keep evolving this experience for the runners. The ethos of pushing our own physical limits lies behind how we craft our message for runners."
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ABOUT SUNDOWN
SUNDOWN WITH LOVE: CHARITY OUTREACH WITH THE SUNDOWN MARATHON
F
irst started in 2013, Sundown with Love is a part of Sundown Marathon’s Charity Outreach campaign. As the saying goes “not all heroes wear capes.” Every year, Sundown with Love aims to gather the running community for one simple reason – to give back to the community. To date, Sundown with Love had raised more than S$42,000 for the less fortunate. This year, the event organisers have teamed up with Sundown with Love ambassadors to raise funds for six non-profit organisations: • Association for Persons with Special Needs (APSN) • Food from the Heart • Boys’ Town
• Oasis Second Chance Animal Shelter (OSCAS)
Donations will go to:
• Singapore Cancer Society • Alzheimer’s Disease Association Together with the Sundown with Love race ambassadors, participants can also contribute as one running community in helping the less fortunate. You can be a hero to someone! Support our Sundown Heroes as they help raise funds for the less fortunate. They will each complete a full marathon, half marathon, 10KM, or 5KM race to support the beneficiaries. Show your support by making a donation online. The contribution websites are open until race day here: www.sundownmarathon. com/2018/singapore/ sundown-with-love/.
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ASICS Special
The Run is in All of Us The GEL-Nimbus 20 begins its third decade of long distance excellence
T
he long distance run is both a cathartic release and a determined struggle. It clears your mind, floats you above the daily grind of life but also forces you to dig deep into your reserves to complete the distance. Of course, you’ll need a pair of the most comfortable running shoes to be your partner in crime for these long-running escapades. The ASICS GEL-Nimbus has been the running shoe of choice for an overwhelming number of long distance running enthusiasts. Now into its second decade, the limited edition GEL-Nimbus 20 Platinum is launched to celebrate the passion of runners everywhere.
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Float on a Cloud With a name derived from a cloud formation, the GEL-Nimbus 20 is built for the enthusiast in you. The lightweight FlyteFoam and GEL midsole cushioning, Gradient Mesh 2.0 upper and newly designed deformable lace eyelet stays help it stay comfortable on your feet for the entire day’s running. Designed as an ideal combination of cushioning, stability, weight and comfort, the new iteration of the Nimbus takes advantage of ASICS’ leading edge research technologies to develop a plush, cushioned and stable ride that is also highly responsive to your every step.
Gradient Mesh 2.0 Going beyond a regular knitted upper, the new, highly durable mesh construction is not only lighter than the previous-gen version, but also designed with variable densities across the entire surface. It is more open on the lateral side of the toebox, creating more room for the forefoot to expand as you cover longer distances. A further evolution of the ASICS FluidFit, the multidirectional stretch of the upper material allows for a truly customised, glove-like fit that does not compromise support and road feel. The new shoelace eyelet stays have also been totally redesigned to follow the flex of your foot. The dynamic
fitting flexes with no pinching and folding points for a very comfortable feel. Furthermore, the design and colourways of the GELNimbus 20 is inspired by the Thermography of the human foot, giving it an organic appearance.
Plush and Responsive Weaved into the very core of the GEL-Nimbus 20 are all of ASICS’ cutting-edge technologies. Built around the FlyteFoam midsole infused with both rear and forefoot GEL pads, the shoe features a SpevaFoam midsole top, ensuring that it will go the distance with you. An Exoskeletal Heel Clutch Counter holds your heel firmly in place without discomfort,
ensuring that the shoe follows every move of your foot. The Guidance Trusstic System and Guidance Line can be found underfoot, helping your steps track straight and true. As with all the generations before this, the GEL-Nimbus 20 is designed for runners with a neutral or slightly underpronating gait. The 10mm for M's/13mm for W's drop height ensures adequate support with each landing, inspiring confidence for hours. The men’s and women’s designs are also different and do no simply exhibit different sizes and colourways. ASICS’ gender specific cushioning design makes the GEL-Nimbus 20 one of the most adaptable shoes available for all runners. the night
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ASICS Special
Polyurethanebased resin
Water absorbent with heat conductivity
The Platinum Special Edition
GEL-COOL
offer cool feeling
TPU welded reflective ASICS stripes form a bold statement across the side of the silver mesh upper, and a pair of additional white shoelaces are included in the Platinum edition shoe box.
To commemorate two decades of GEL-Nimbus excellence, a special Platinum edition of the shoe has been unveiled. Featuring a glittering platinum colourway that quite literally sparkles with details, the ASICS GEL-Nimbus 20 Platinum is unmissable with its vacuum plated, chrome heel counter and silver glitter infused GEL elements. Details like the 20th Anniversary sockliner and shoelace tips reward shoe enthusiasts that take pride in the finer aspects of sneaker design.
contrast
Cloud white laces on Platinum
GEL-COOL
GEL-COOL
Provides space between skin and fabric
Accelerate ventilation
GEL-COOL APPAREL Being on the move for long periods of time in tropical weather can really heat you up, but ASICS has been working on its running apparel range to improve heat dissipation.
PREmium
With performance at its heart, the new GEL-COOL is a sweat activated cooling technology within ASICS apparel, which feels cooler as you sweat. As more moisture is absorbed, the cooler the temperature in the fabric.
Platinum lace tips
Patches of GEL-COOL are placed on areas of ASICS apparel, close to the areas where temperature rises during exercise. When wearers sweat, the patches make a 3D effect on the fabric surface, providing a larger space between skin and the fabric, enhancing ventilation and helping avoid fabric sticking to the skin.
Anniversary
Platinum edition sockliner
Visibility
Reflective Tiger Stripe
secure
Vacuumplated counter
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Look for the GEL-COOL technology on all ASICS apparel with a GEL-COOL label, and the ASICS GEL-Nimbus 20 Platinum (RRP S$259), at the following retail stores: Asics Store Nex Asics Store Plaza Singapura Asics Store Suntec City Asics Store Vivocity
Asics Asics Asics Asics
Bugis Junction Paragon Velocity Westgate
THE SUNDOWN MARATHON WAS STARTED IN 2008, AND HAS BEEN AN ANNUAL FIXTURE ON SINGAPORE’S ROAD RACING CALENDAR EVER SINCE.
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RACE ESSENTIALS
PACKED FOR THE RUN
A collection of the latest accessories launched in time for this year’s Sundown Marathon.
1 COMPUTE YOUR RUN
The Suunto Spartan family grows with the new Spartan Sport Wrist HR Baro, a GPS multisport watch with wrist heart rate measurement and an air pressure sensor for more precise altitude readings. Besides a highly accurate heart rate sensor, the new device uses Suunto’s FusedAlti™ technology, combining GPS and barometric data for more precise altitude information. The watch will also display sunrise/sunset times, and gives storm alarms when a sudden drop in air pressure occurs.
S$979 at authorised Suunto retailers.
3 ROCK STEADY
2 THE STYLISH GO GETTER
Absolutely no wires mean absolute freedom. Perfect for snazzy movers and shakers, the JBL Free delivers the brand’s signature sound in an intuitive, intelligent package. These wireless in-ear headphones are a flexible companion for music, calls, and an active lifestyle. The JBL Free comes with a smart charging case that powers it up when not in use, offering 24 hours of combined total playback. Plus, it’s splashproof – so no weather can interrupt the rhythm of your music.
S$249 at leading electronics retailers.
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The Casio GZE-1 camera features a shock-resistant, waterproof, and dustproof construction. Designed to work with your sporty lifestyle, the camera was developed by leveraging the expertise Casio has amassed with its G-SHOCK brand of shock-resistant watches. The camera is equipped with a super-wide-angle lens that captures a 190.8° (still image) and 170.4° (movie) field of view, which delivers realistic images against a wide background. The camera also features Dramatic Slow Motion, which allows the user to highlight dramatic moments of extreme sports, such as tricks, by showing them in slow motion. Bumper protectors are used throughout to protect the lens and buttons against drops and impacts, as well as to guide the fingers to the buttons.
S$629 at G-Factory and leading electronics retailers.
RACE ESSENTIALS
6 SUPERCHARGED RECOVERY
5 BETTER MUSCLE HEALTH
Need a boost in sports recovery? Under Armour presents the UA Athlete Recovery Sleepwear powered by TB12, designed to improve sleep and overall athlete performance. Under Armour has incorporated the bioceramics technology into a pattern lining the garments, which are designed to maximise comfort and fit. The pattern includes special bioceramic particles that absorb infrared wavelengths emitted by the body and reflect back Far Infrared, helping the body recover faster while promoting better sleep. UA claims that with the Athlete Recovery Sleepwear, athletes will be able to maximise their sleep cycle and accelerate recovery time. S$69 - S$139 exclusively on UA.com.sg
Blackmores Muscle Magnesium is suitable for people who exercise and experience muscle cramps and spasms. This product is suitable for those who may require additional nutrients to support muscle health. Formulated using magnesium citrate, a high potency, easily absorbed form of magnesium, it helps relieve muscle cramps and spasms, support muscle health and muscle repair, supports relaxation & sleep. S$44 at Watsons, Mustafa, Essentials Pharmacy and Blackmores Stores.
4 CRAMP NO MORE
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Cramp-Z claims to be a new way to prevent muscle cramps, which often happens when muscles get low on magnesium. Cramp-Z restores magnesium to muscles and relieves restless legs with its totally natural ingredients.
The world’s first foaming gel for men powered by Matcha Extract, the Garnier Turbolight Oil Control Matcha Deep Clean Foaming Gel purifies your skin and deep cleanses pores of trapped dirt, oil and pollution particles. Garnier claims that it provides a pleasant clean feel while respecting your skin’s natural moisture.
S$29.90 at www.Qoolmart.com
S$9.50 at all major supermarkets and hypermarts.
THE POWER OF TEA
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AMBASSADORS
RUNNING FOR ALL Four different runners converge from very different walks of life. Their story has one common factor, in that running is a staple to their routines and it has since changed their lives for the better. TEXT CHERYL TAY
Marie Choo
H
I may never win a medal or make it to the elite category, but as long as I do my best to be a better version of myself daily, I am happy with that.” 20
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er running journey was what gave her the courage to retire from the corporate world. In 2011, Marie Choo had a health scare when the doctor found abnormal cells in her cervix. While she was preparing for her wedding, she also had to undergo surgery, on top of running her own public relations (PR) agency.
Choo raises an average of $22,000 a year to buy food to feed the dogs at the local shelters. She has completed several marathons like the Tokyo Marathon, Gold Coast Airport Marathon and Berlin Marathon, and ultramarathons like the Translantau50. Currently, she is training for her first 100km trail ultramarathon, the Ultra Trail Australia.
Increasingly, she became more and more unhappy with work and picked up running in 2014 as a way of dealing with her depression. “I was a PR professional in the luxury and fashion industry, and I made good money. Yet, I felt unfulfilled and led a stressful life. I would spend a lot on material goods as retail therapy, but I would also be raising funds and buying food to feed the less fortunate dogs seeking refuge in dog shelters,” the 44-year-old dog behaviourist and trainer shared.
“My biggest competition is myself, not anyone else. I may be slow but that just means lots of room for improvement. I may never win a medal or make it to the elite category, but as long as I do my best to be a better version of myself daily, I am happy with that,” she added.
“This disconnect in life caused internal conflict within me. As I ran more regularly and took part in more running races, I decided to retire from my corporate PR career. I started the ‘I RUN FOR RESCUE DOGS’ campaign to raise funds and awareness for rescue dogs in Singapore, and running allows me to reach out to a wider audience.”
“I’ve heard stories from friends that they couldn’t run as well as they normally would in the day. The fatigue does affect the ability to stay alert. The way to train for a night race is to include training at night, specifically at the flag off time. This way, you condition your mind and body to get used to running when they should be resting,” she advised.
The Sundown Marathon is a night race, which some people think should be easier because of the absence of the sun. However, Choo cautions that “running when you should be resting and sleeping can mess with one’s body and mind”.
AMBASSADORS
Sng Boon Heng
This is the only night marathon available in Singapore where runners can come together to have fun.”
R
unning helps Sng Boon Heng to understand himself better. “Through running, you know how your mind and body can be stretched as you set higher goals,” said the 44-year-old.
hours daily and began running short distances from 3km. In nine months, he not only lost his target of 15kg, he also signed up for his first running event, which was a half-marathon that his friend challenged him to.
Indeed he has taken his mind and body to the limits, such as organising the 300 Miles Charity Run last October to raise awareness for stray cats after he became a cat feeder with the Cat Welfare Society. That’s nearly 483km, which he completed at East Coast Park (23 loops). His next goal was to do 500 miles in 2020, but due to personal reasons, he has since switched his goals.
After that first half-marathon, he ran five full marathons in 2009 before his first ultramarathon – 84km at the Sundown Ultramarathon 2010. He also did it again in 2011, when the Sundown Ultramarathon was revised to 100km. Those were the days where he used to clock 100 to 200km of mileage a week, as he went on to run longer distances such as 100 miles, 200 miles and that 300 miles.
Sng started running in 2008 because he wanted to lose weight, after hitting 80kg at the age of 35. He went to the gym twice a day for three
This will be his eighth year participating in the upcoming Sundown Marathon 2018, and he will be doing the full
marathon. “This is the only night marathon available in Singapore where runners can come together to have fun. However, a night race means having to fight against sleep while a normal race is more of a fight with the sun. To do a night race, you need to do more night training runs,” he said. It is tough to balance training with work and family though, and Sng has to skip his runs sometimes when he gets busy. “Work should come before running; the best time for me to run now is over the weekends,” he added. His mindset towards running has since changed. In the past, his objective was to achieve his personal best; but now his focus is on how the community can benefit instead, such as running for a cause.
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AMBASSADORS
Running reminds myself that whatever I want to achieve in life, I need to work hard for it and never give up.”
Kennedy Yap
I
t was his bulging tummy that spurred a young Kennedy Yap to get off the couch (and away from the Tom & Jerry cartoons he was watching) and start exercising. That was when 12-year-old Yap joined his friends for basketball. He really liked basketball, so when he entered secondary school, he wanted to take it up as his core-curricular activity. Unfortunately he failed the trials and joined the Track & Field team instead. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Starting out as a sprinter in 100m and 200m, he went on to run longer events such as the 3000m and cross-
country (3.2km), which he secured podium finishes at the national level. Now 21, Yap continued running and has gone on to run longer and further distances. He will be participating in the Sundown Marathon for the first time, where he will be doing the half-marathon. “A night run is cooler and hence more comfortable, compared to running when the sun is up. Our body won’t be using a lot of effort to keep our body cool. So I’m looking forward to it!” the pre-enlistee shared. With a structured training programme, Yap plans his life
around training a lot, but has no big dreams of becoming a professional athlete. Running is a form of stress reliever for him rather. “Running reminds myself that whatever I want to achieve in life, I need to work hard for it and never give up,” he said. “Running also helps me to keep fit! Exercising can reduce risk of certain diseases and I want to lead a good quality of life till a very old age. In fact, I want to keep running until I can’t take a step anymore.” Before he starts his day or after a long day, a run actually helps to give Yap energy and motivates him to continue or end the day well. On days that he feels tired, a run actually makes him feel very energised and enables him to complete more work. Yap hopes that more people will try taking part in a race, especially if they have been running alone or not able to meet their target mileage on their own. “Running together in a big group of people can motivate you to finish the run faster. It is not easy to complete a long distance race like a 10km race or further, but after finishing, the sense of satisfaction is great and everyone should try. It can get addictive!”
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AMBASSADORS
July Rey
F
or someone who used to hate perspiring, July Rey has come a long way – having completed five full marathons (including a world marathon major) and is running at this year’s Sundown Marathon. “Running is a mind game. It tests your limits and how far can you go; it’s something to try at least once in your life,” said the 35-year-old who works in customer care. Running has changed Rey’s life completely. Eight years ago, the mother of one was overweight but chose to diet instead of exercise. She lost some weight but hit a plateau after four years, thus decided she needed to start sweating. It started with Zumba and aerobics, as well as some leisure running in the park. One day, her friend invited her to join a 16km fun run overseas, which she finished in less than three hours. Then she went on to do her first half-marathon under four hours. Feeling that her “timing was not good”, Rey became motivated to run more. In that
same year, she also did her first full marathon in 6 hours 45 minutes. From this point on, Rey decided she wanted to work on improving her timings so she kept running and running and running. As she got more serious, she realised proper training was needed so she looked for a coach. Rey now has a detailed and personalised training programme tailored to the races she participates in.
Running is a mind game. It tests your limits and how far can you go; it’s something to try at least once in your life.”
In her last full marathon – the Gold Coast Airport Marathon 2017 – Rey achieved her personal best of 4 hours 9 minutes. “Running has shown me that I am capable of so much more than I ever imagined. It has made me healthier – I’ve lost 20kg – and it is also my therapy. Running makes me happy, more relaxed and gives positive energy,” she added. Sundown Marathon 2018 will be the third time she is running this event. “Running at night is cooling, quiet and peaceful, but it is still challenging!” she added.
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ABOUT SUNDOWN
SUNDOWN ROUND THE WORLD After being established in Singapore, the Sundown Marathon brand was also welcomed wholeheartedly by many other countries in the region. Here’s the other places in the world where you can Run the Night. Were you at any of them, and will be you running at any of the upcoming ones?
Osim Sundown Marathon Penang 2016
Educity Sundown Marathon Iskandar 2017
Educity Sundown Marathon Malaysia 2015
PAST SUNDOWN MARATHONS Educity Sundown Marathon Malaysia 2015
5 September 2015 Iskandar, Johor, Malaysia
OSIM Sundown Marathon Penang 2016
17 December 2016 Queensbay Mall, Penang, Malaysia
OSIM Sundown Marathon Taipei 2017
14 January 2017 Dajia Riverside Park
OSIM Sundown Marathon Qing Dao 2017
26 August 2017 Qingdao, China
Educity Sundown Marathon Iskandar 2017
11 November 2017 Iskandar, Johor, Malaysia
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Osim Sundown Marathon Qing Dao 2017
UPCOMING SUNDOWN MARATHONS Sundown Marathon Qingdao
August 2018
OSIM Sundown Marathon Putrajaya
September 2018
Sundown Marathon Krabi
September 2018
Sundown Marathon Clark
October 2018
Sundown Marathon Iskandar
October 2018
Sundown Marathon Taipei
November 2018
Sundown Marathon Hong Kong
November 2018
BEHIND THE SCENCES
The
Heart of the Matter Every year, runners join the Sundown Marathon only to be greeted with perfectly packed race packs and a responsive team that looks after all matters from logistics to race route matters. We chat with four people who work behind the scenes and are a part of the large Sundown family. From volunteers to staff, read their stories and discover why Sundown is their preferred race event. TEXT JACKIE TEO PHOTOS LIONEL KONG
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BEHIND THE SCENCES
The Enabling Touch
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he Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped is at Sundown Marathon in a big way this year. Their team of qualified masseuses can be found giving runners post and pre-race massages throughout the night. Executive Director Ando Yeo tells us about how the collaboration came about. What are your thoughts on this working relationship with Sundown Marathon and SAVH? Yeo: All of us at SAVH are very grateful of this positive gesture by Sundown Marathon. Right now, this is the largest scale event we have ever been part of. By supporting SAVH, we can all contribute our share towards promoting the needs, interests and aspirations of the visually handicapped so that they can lead independent and fulfilling lives. Sundown Marathon has given our visually handicapped masseurs the prospect of showcasing their talents across 30,000 individuals and that is invaluable. Can you share with us what’s the unique point of the massage? Yeo: In principle, our massages applies the same treatment system as other TCM massages. Our masseurs understand the channels and pressure points to knead and pull to ease muscle and ligament soreness. The key
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difference with a massage by SAVH practitioners is not in the treatment method but in the person doing it. Our masseurs have a strong advantage in this as giving a good massage is dependent on a person’s tactile sensitivity. At SAVH, we do not simply employ visually handicapped masseurs. Instead, we provide them with proper training and the opportunity to earn a decent living with the acquired skills. It is also important to note that all our masseurs undergo training based on the standards under Workforce Skills Qualifications and are certified. Currently, how many masseurs do the SAVH possess and can be expected of at Sundown Marathon? Yeo: At SAVH, we have 35 regular masseurs, including eight women. We also have seven part-timers that work together with us on an ad-hoc basis. For Sundown Marathon, we will be deploying at least 20 masseurs to be on site. As we are expecting a high turnover for the service, we will provide the participants with the choice of only head and shoulder massages or foot reflexology so that we can cater to as many participants as possible. What do you hope for the future? Yeo: I hope that more opportunities like this arise, and if Sundown Marathon is keen on us being involved at next year’s edition, we would gladly be part of it. Spreading the word to make our society more inclusive for people with special needs is very important and for SAVH.
BEHIND THE SCENCES
All for the Sport
W
hen does volunteering turn into a career opportunity? It happens when you’re one of the passionate volunteers at the Sundown Marathon! 26-year-old Desmond Ang is now a Project Executive at HiVelocity, the organising body of the event. He tells us how he got his start. How did you get involved with the Sundown Marathon? Ang: In 2015, I volunteered for the event, and prior to that I had been in the mix during ad-hoc events for the company. The ironic thing is, I don’t run at all, but I am a huge sports fan. For recreation, I participate in badminton, basketball and football on a regular basis. However, I actually only joined the company full-time this year after receiving an offer from Andrew, one of the managers. I’ve always wanted to work for a sporting event company due to my passion in sports, and this was an offer I could not refuse. It has been an exciting couple of months so far, and I’m really looking forward to Sundown Marathon.
How come you’re so eager for this year’s event? Ang: This would be my first official major event since joining HiVelocity, and being able to contribute significantly to one of the largest races in Singapore provides a sense of accomplishment. Three years ago when I first joined, I was a volunteer manager, where I was delegating tasks such as managing baggage, operations and the welfare area. In both 2016 and 2017, I was recruited to join the executive committee, where I first got roped in to plan for site as well as logistics. Having the opportunity to work alongside peers and mentors, I learnt many skills on the go which I felt was one of the important elements on why I was offered this position at the company. What have you taken away from the past three Sundown Marathons? Ang: Putting everything together and seeing it play out successfully invokes a sense of accomplishment. I’ve met some great friends along the
way, and I realised that many Singaporeans like to volunteer, especially older folks. During the event, they taught me some life lessons and virtues such as patience and being diligent. Additionally, we learn to make do with our resources and maximise its potential during crunch time. Will you ever join the marathon yourself? Ang: If I could, I definitely would join the half marathon, completing it would be my next goal. I might not be able to make it to the end of the full marathon.
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BEHIND THE SCENCES
All in a Night’s Run
A
running enthusiast that wants to give back to the sport, 29-year-old Ma Lin is an Associate Engineer at Singtel by day, and a running enthusiast with the Team Fatbird Running Club at all other times. He is a halfmarathon pacer at this year’s event, and here he shares his experiences with us. How long have you been running? Ma: I’ve been running for over four years, and the reason I started was because I weighed over 110kg at a point of time! To keep the long story short, I was in a meeting one day and I found myself stuck between the table and the chair. The turning point for me was then, and ever since I’ve been running passionately and started watching what I ate. What was the longest distance you have ever attempted? Ma: I’ve finished an ultramarathon before, but my preferred distance is between 25 to 30km. Right now, because I commute to work and back running, I manage to clock between 7km - 10km daily. For the past three years I participated at Sundown, and this year will be my fourth time.
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Is this your first time pacing a marathon? Ma: Actually no, I’ve done this a couple of times. After encouragement and recommendation from my sister who is a pacer at the Shanghai Marathon, I decided to volunteer. My first time was pacing the six-hour category, and it was the toughest experience so far. Can you share with us some experiences? Ma: Pacing four and five hour marathons are easy, because those are seasoned runners. For the six-hour category, many of them are first timers and would give up halfway or start to have muscle cramps. There was once I remember, after 30km in, an uncle was already walking. I convinced him to keep up and run with me, while he played music from his portable speaker. Soon after, a whole horde of runners began to pick their pace up and started running as a group. Coincidentally, once of the songs he played was ‘We will rock you’ by Queen, and everybody started singing and clapping in rhythm for the duration. It was very memorable for me, one of my fondest memories.
Do you need to train to be a pacer? Ma: Yes we need to. One of the main difficulties would be maintaining a consistent pace, something like muscle memory. While most marathon runners run on a negative split time, we need to keep at one pace for everybody to follow. Getting used to being in the comfort zone might take weeks or months of training. Do you enjoy being a pacer? Ma: Of course. We, as pacers, are there to encourage and ensure everybody has a smooth race to the finish. It gives me a sense of accomplishment when everybody in the category completes the marathon.
BEHIND THE SCENCES
Preparations for the Big Day
P
icking up the race pack before the race is an event in itself. Have you ever wondered who puts the thousands of bags together? 60-year-old Ng May Chan is one of the many people at the SPD that collate and assemble the race packs for major events. The SPD is a nonprofit organisation that help the disabled in Singapore contribute meaningfully to society. Ng, who has Cerebral Palsy, has been an active volunteer at Sundown Marathon, her firsttime being five years ago. Since then, Ng has been volunteering herself annually at the Sundown Marathon. How long have you been helping out at the Sundown Marathon? Ng: I have been packing for them for a long time. I remember starting out five years ago. I like to help out at these events because I feel like I can contribute more to the society, and the duties may be simple but you really need to concentrate to make sure that nothing is missing.
What do you do at the Sundown Marathon? Ng: I pack the race pack bags for the event participants. Every event, there will be close to 100 of us that volunteer to pack. It’s not the same thing every year either, as the tasks given will be different. Sometimes it will be the packing of products, sometimes it can be sticking labels onto things. There are thousands of items to prepare so it’s a big operation and we have to be meticulous. Have you been involved with other events? Ng: Yes. At SPD they often encourage us to join other events to work, and every year we are involved with a number, but I feel most productive at the Sundown Marathon because of the scale of the event. What do you look forward to at Sundown? Ng: I like the party that they host after the event, as they have music and entertainment, and everybody will be there. What do you do in your free time? Ng: I like to chat with my friends, and go on excursions with SPD.
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ETIQUETTE 101
MARATHON ETIQUETTE
You meet all sorts of people at races, but what you really don’t want to be is that annoying individual that’s doing stuff inconveniencing the people around you. TEXT CHAMPA HA
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ETIQUETTE 101
W
hen you sign up for an event like a marathon or a 10km, you’re sharing the route with other participants in public. Leave your sense of entitlement at home and avoid the following:
ARRIVE LATE
Arriving late to a race can be a catastrophe especially if you’re a very competitive runner or you’re trying to achieve a new PB. Plan out your travel plans and baggage drop meticulously before the event day, so you won’t waste time and resources trying to make up for the time.
CUTTING THE WAVE
Some people think that finishing the race faster by getting into a first or second wave of the marathon is totally cool. The waves are created for a reason. Marathon waves are divided by experience and ability level, which means they
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are created for your own safety. Starting in a group that’s faster than your actual ability may cause inconvenience for the faster runners as you may hold them up.
WALKING EVERYWHERE
If you’re running and you suddenly feel a cramp coming on, it’s perfectly okay to stop and walk. What’s not advisable is stopping right in the middle of the route and obstructing other runners. Move to the left to take a breather.
SPITTING
Spitting your phlegm out seems like a time-saver especially if you are on track for a PB. However, you’re in a marathon, which usually includes thousands of other participants and spitting without concern is not a great idea. Prepare handkerchiefs in advance prior to the race.
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CHAT AT THE WATER POINT
Some people are chatter boxes. We don’t begrudge that, we like a bit of conversing ourselves. However, not everyone likes chatting especially when they’re running and trying to concentrate on pace. It’s definitely not a good idea doing so at the hydration points, where most like to grab their drink and run along. Restrict your chatting to words of encouragement.
TAKING SELFIES AT THE START/ FINISH LINE
Are you big on recording the best moments of your life? So are we, but selfies at the line can be obstructive, you run a chance on blocking others who are trying to finish the run. Leave the selfie stick at home too, and enjoy the run. It’s a bad idea to try and stand still for a photo when thousands of people are running past continuously.
EMPTY YOUR WATER BOTTLE WILLY-NILLY
Pouring out your water bottles or drink cups far from the designated water points will get the ground wet, which is not great for runners that have to splash through the puddles and try not to slip. If you need to empty your drink cup or bottle, do it off the racing line. The important bit to remember is, “when in doubt, throw it out.” If something seems morally ambiguous to you, don’t do it, and always keep a good head and sense of responsibility when attending a race event!
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FLASHBACK
All For the Night
The energy and enthusiasm displayed at the Sundown Marathon 2017 was electrifying and motivating. PHOTOS OSIM SUNDOWN MARATHON SINGAPORE 2017
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FLASHBACK
I believe that running a marathon is like a journey; it’s not really not about how you start the race, but how you finish it. - Andy Li
There's always enough energy left for smiling at the camera.
Marathons are more fun when your buddies come along.
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FLASHBACK
Thousands of runners wait in anticipation for the run to be flagged off.
Being in the company of thousands of runners from all walks of life is inspirational and motivating for me and for my friends. - Clement Woon
The Sundown experience begins even before the race starts. See the city in a whole different light.
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FLASHBACK
A toast to the best night running experience in the region.
A different kind of date as you see the city after dark.
The reliable pacers are always there to help you finish strong.
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FLASHBACK
What I like best about Sundown Marathon, in addition to running at night, is meeting my friends. Sleep can wait. - Loke Kai Hong
A strong finish, but the night is still young!
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Meeting for drinks takes on a new meaning at Sundown.
There’s nothing in the world like the Sundown Marathon!
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