Local Races- Army Half Marathon 2016

The Army Half Marathon takes place yearly for the Singapore Armed Forces to promote healthy lifestyle activities and also part of the challenge for the different arms in the Ministry of Defence.  Despite most of the runners actually take the shorter distance. This year the SAFRA BAY RUN feature two competitive categories – the 21km Army Half Marathon and SAFRA 10km Race, as well as two non-competitive categories – the SAFRA 5km Fun Run and Families for Life 800m Challenge. Last year, the AHM took a break because of the Singapore 50th Birthday celebration.  But this year they came back better and stronger, with a better route.

The Race Pack Collection

The Race pack collection was at Marina Square Atrium, for the SAFRA members and Operationally ready servicemen, they get to enjoy up to 75% of the rates off the racks.  This is also a strong reason why many are very enticed to join.  To speak the truth, the collection was smooth and fast.  The staff attending at the collection were also very polite and courteous as compared to the previous years.

The Race pack included the bib , some coupons to nice massages and also sports items.  The recycle bag itself is big and useful for shopping groceries.

The Race Route

The race started at 5am along the Esplanade Bridge.  The checking in was easy for competitive runners.  I was ushered all the way and there were no squeeze or push.  It somehow felt like going up the first class.  I was actually quite ahead in the start line.  To many elite runners, this is important as it affects your result.  There are also 10km, 5km and 800m run for the families or some runners who just like to do shorter distances.

The route itself has been good, it is not difficult to run, rather flat and does not go through a lot of main roads with traffic.  There were not many choke points as compared to last year.  It also happened that the day was cooling and shady.  Making the run more enjoyable.  Many of the runners in Singapore clocked their PB that day.

Water points were ample, as it is organised by the Army, you can be sure that this will not be a problem!  Beside ample isotonic and water, there were also good medical and first aid stations to take care of runners for emergencies.

The different arms of the Singapore Armed Forces also decorated some of the waterpoints with their creativity.  Some had belly dancers, or mascot of their camp to cheer the runners on.

THE ENDING

For the first time I got a finisher shirt that is absolutely fitting.  I loved the shirt but there were some who commented on Face book that their shirt did not fit them or there were some defects.

There is also a finisher medal, and the usual hydration, which is very essential for me these days as I do not really rely on anything but pure water.

Although there were no food, bananas are everywhere.  There were also some hot models giving out the Gatsby Wet Wipes.  This was enough to give the boys some perks.

The ending point at the padang gets very crowded with many runners coming in.  Many runners just rested on the field of padang to catch their breath some of them were also at the cenotaph area sitting and waiting for their friends.

I must say over the years the AHM has changed from better to better … Well hopefully they keep up the good work and continue to make this a run worth the go for.