The Decathlon Get Active race is a collaborative run event with the Sports Active Singapore. The 7 Km race has men, women and also a special pair category, whereby the pair results are taken into consideration for the finishing.
Early morning at race site
I chanced upon this race also via FB events. The registration is really cheap for my idea of a Singapore race. A pair of runners only pay $45 ( although 7km) but the goodie bag is bountiful. Interested participants can sign up at the Decathlon Website. Each participant get the race bib, a Decathlon bag , running tee, cereal bar and isotonic powder, bamboo straw set. The running tee quality is really no bad and in light baby green.
Me and Fowler
This time I got Fowler to join in again. So we run as a pair. Although I am way slower than him. He agree to pair up with me, its not easy running with someone much much stronger than you.
Race pack collection was a week before the race at various Decathlon shops. The main shop in stadium is 24hours opening. Sometimes, I wonder if there are anyone buying sports goods at that hour. As I was not in town, Fowler was the one who went to pick up the bags.
Decathlon stores provides cheap sporting items with really sustainable qualities. I personally felt that their items are really not bad and can be used professionally too.
Race Day
Mikkellar Running Club friends
We both thought that there might not be so many people running, but we were wrong. The race takes place at the Decathlon store in Stadium. There was a large space outside the store. Although we reached the place early around 6:15 am( 7am was the flag off), there were already many people around the area. We end up in wave 2 because the start line was narrow. This time, another group of mine, Running Hour, got to join this race with free bib. I managed to see some familiar faces in the group. This race also seemed to attract many youngsters, we saw many secondary school contenders coming forth. I also managed to see the Mikkellar Running Club folks doing the race and we had a cameo time before the race.
At the start line
The race course is not exactly straight forward. Going about in turns and underpasses around the Stadium area. I guess the organiser’s main aim was to get everyone to move and workout, so it does not matter the route. I kinda like the last 1km or so where you can see that you are running back to the finish line. Was already quite breathless having to keep up with Fowler and even at times, he was the one waiting for me. I must say after my injury, I have been quite reluctant to get back in form again. Not a good sign but I think I will need to do something soon before my next marathon.
Finishing
finishing up the race
The finishing area was huge. There were many space for participants to rest and relax. There was no medal ( thank god) given but more practical things like a cereal bar and isotonic drink powder was dished out. I guess most of the medals are really not very environmentally friendly because after a while you will need to throw them away.
There was also a large tent giving away banana and hydration. Sports SG also set up a large tent with many hands on station on different games. Participants can also get freebies when they complete the stations.
Hydration Station at the end
Of course, after hydration, we went for a good breakfast nearby. Was really shocked at the cheap breakfast this hawker centre nearby provided. For a good $2.50, you can get a bountiful vegetarian Bee hoon set. It was indeed a fruitful morning.
Morning breakfast at Hawker Centre
Although I did not run my best timing, I enjoyed the good workout and was happy to know the Hougang Stadium friends, JJ and Meihui both cliched the champion title for Male and Female category respectively.