The final day arrived on 29th Dec 2024, just to be sure of getting in I re did the qualifying on 17th Sep. On 30 Nov, the MR25 organizing team announced the participants for the race. I was lucky to be able to race in the closed category women. There were actually only six of us.
Finalist name list
Final number of loops done
There were two challenges available, the most cumulative and also the 12 hours format max out race. For the Cumulative, I managed a 50 loops which was my original intention. But I only came in the 7 placing.
Getting Ready
This event is very family like, its like not a race, and we just report to the amenities centre with our personal items while the organisers will set up a desk for recording all in coming runners. Since the Macritchie loop will always end up at the amenities centre, it is just logical to set up the station here. Was very happy to see many runners, supporters and the volunteers from the MR25 club coming together to make this event possible.
I took bus 165 to the reservoir that morning, usually its the first bus that passes by my house area at 06:10am. I feel this bus is the best for weekend because early morning there is no crowd, the bus will reach promptly around 06:25am. Also since weekend it the carpark is packed and the “free carpark” is not so available.
The ending shot
I was the few earlier ones to reach the centre. My friend Kum Fatt, came a bit later with his huge strong supporters. My friends Andrew and Raymond were already there. We had some cameo. Around 06:45am , the race manager, Jayce Chua , came to give some admin instructions. We could leave our things around but just make sure that any food or drinks does not attract the monkeys.
Race GO
Being my final race of the year, I somehow felt rather lethargic and also grappling with some personal issues. I was not in my best situation but I pressed on and really hoping to at least do a seven rounds.
Morning flag off
First round I went pretty fast and finished below 1:10hr. It was really quite too fast resulting in slower subsequent timings. As the day goes on, it was almost confirmed that the day was going to be a hot and humid one. Indeed, all the way till the 4 round then the weather become a bit cooler.
One loop finish with brother yong loong
Kum Fatt and the faster runners were going on very steady. The women open was joined by some really power ladies including Patsy Tan. I was actually feeling a bit tired after the third round but still managed to maintain pace. This year I did not bring the hydration bag along, just like the past two times, I realised since I am turning back into the same location, I might as well refill at my personal check points which are the ranger station and the amenities centre.
Me and KF when he overtook me at the 3rd round… fast
With Daniel my MR 25 friend!
I did not have really a major stop for rest this time, only after the fourth round which my friend Yong Long paced together with me. I took the fifth round really slow, because I was really feeling the legs working up and getting tight. I took some salts and muscle rub to prevent the legs from stiffening up.
Richard also came earlier to support
My ration were mainly small biscuits and the big ones were two bread, somehow, I am just not into eating a lot. Or maybe when I am on the go, I am not good with digesting the food. But I do try to hydrate as much as I can along the way. Brought a long many drinks including herbal tea too!
Finale
Along the way Kum Fatt overtook me two times, while I overtook my friend Daniel once. He was going really slowly and I think he was suffering from some leg and feet pain which impeded him from going on faster. I learnt that in the end he only managed 3 rounds, sometimes when the leg is not working well it can really cause you to give up very easily. But in any case, it was a right move, not worth to injure anyway.
More Happy Supporters
I was originally thinking for trying a 7th round, but because of the feet working up and the heavy downpour in the sixth round, I gave up the idea. When I return again after the 6th round, it was already 5:30Pm, with only one and half hours left , I decided to call it quits. The downpour portion was really quite scary as the water flooded the road and we could not see the ground. Lightning was everywhere especially when we came out of the forested area. Did not expect such a thunderstorm, but glad all of us came back in one piece.
A lot of shots!
Was still happy to finish that 6 rounds as I have had so many races for the past weeks. In the end, I came in 5th. Its a very motivating race and I hope to do it again in 2025!
