The first mass physical race in Singapore since the Covid 19. I actually joined the Yellow Ribbon Courageous where you run 21km and cycle 60Km in a certain time frame to be able to get the physical race.
Riding home after the event
The race was virtual but if you are the top 5 people to finish the 21km run and 60km riding, you will get invited to the phyiscal race. So I tried hard and managed to get into the top 5. Paid only $15 for the virtual race and I got 2 races to go!
The Singapore Prison
The race, before Covid 19, was always held in Changi Prison. That was also one of the reasons I did not want to join after only joining once, as I live in the West of Singapore and Changi Prison was in the far East side of the island. But it is always meaningful and quite interesting to be able to run into the prison and what’s more the terrain there is very challenging with hilly slopes.
Met James, a YSR runner!
Monster and Jean Wong after the race
The race was held 25 September, it was just a week after I did the 113 triathlon and I was still feeling very sore and pretty tired. I actually rode my bike from home to the prisons to attend the race. The team of ushers for the YR courageous winners were very friendly. They had contacted us way before the race and also ensured that we get extra tee shirts and bib for the race.
We were like VIPs when we reach and got our bibs, then we were transported to the VIP tentage. This was where the rain started to pour! The rain was heavy we all had to stay put for the organiser to decide whether to call it off or wait for the rain the stop.
The Race
Very wet race starting
After waiting for like 45 min, the rain weaned off and organiser decided to go ahead. Did the ten k version which was 2 loops around the prison outer roads. The last km was within the Prison walls. The rain did not really stop, there were drizzles and at times heavy rain. But that did not stop the participants to go on with the race whether it is the 10 or the 6km. Some participants just walked and have fun in the rain. I tried my best but could feel I was really not as fast as I had once been. But well, this was more like a fun run and having a come back.
Flag off time!
The finishing was well organised where you systematically get your medals, finisher wellness pack with the banana and water. Despite the heavy rain, the volunteers stayed on to usher the finishers into the large tentage within the Prisons. It was good thing that the tentage was large enough to accomodate everyone.
On the Stage
Full house goodie bag after the race with Poncho to keep us from the rain
Participants in the tentage after race
Volunteers serving water
Going up on stage for my YR courageous Cert
The tentage showcased the Yellow Ribbon project efforts for helping the inmates back into normal life outside prisons. There were also game booths and stalls. On the stage was also inmates performing on stage with songs.
The award!
The Yellow Ribbon Courageous winners were to wait in the tentage for the award presentation. There was also a lucky draw at the end. I only waited for my award and did not wait for the lucky draw. By then the rain stopped and a lot started to move off. There was not much parking options so many cars parked at the private estate nearby or they took public transport. I was lucky to ride there but after the race, I thought of the long way home, I got a bit tired.
It was nice to be coming back to race in a physical context and simply loved the vibes and being to be able to run again with so many people without the mask.