By: Lakshmi Ganesan
Despite being either keen on exercising in general, or loathing it, you’d probably have heard of, or have been tempted to participate in some unusual races in Singapore in 2013/2014. These fun runs trickily shift the focus from running to something else entirely – such as being attacked by zombies, or being drenched in a multitude of colours – bringing you the best of both worlds: exercise and fun. So, here’s a quick take of these fun runs, from the upcoming ones to the ones that have already come and gone:
1) THE 5K FOAM RUN
Date: 24 – 25 May 2014
Venue: Sentosa
The Foam Run is coming to Singapore this year! Runners will have to do various things such as slipping down a slide enveloped with foam, running over a bridge of foam mattresses to get to the other side of a water body or even crawling through the mud. This 5K Foam Run definitely brings running to a whole new level – be sure to turn up in clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty.
2) ELECTRIC RUN
Date: April 2014
Venue: TBC
Don’t be surprised if while on the Electric run, you feel like you’re walking through a real-life version of the forest in the movie Avatar. Filled with various zones (or lands as they call it) that are decorated with neon lighting and upbeat music, it’s going to feel like you’ve gone clubbing instead of running. Plus, you’re not obliged to wear drab race clothes (you could attempt glow-in-the-dark costumes to blend in with the scenery).
3) MARINA RUN 2014
Date: 15 Feb 2014
Venue: Gardens by the Bay, Bay East
Encompassing 2 different themes – the 5km “Wet & Wild” Fun Run as well as the 10km & 21km “Light Up the Nite” – Marina Run 2014 might be something you want to tackle whether you’re a competitive runner or not. For Fun Run participants, there’s a water gun provided in the race pack, which you can load and shoot away on the run. More competitive runners can sign up for the Light Up the Nite run – dress yourself up in neon or glow-in-the-dark outfit and you may win a mystery gift if you get picked as ‘best dressed’.
4) RUN FOR YOUR LIVES ASIA
Date: 11 Jan 2014
Venue: The Padang
Run For Your Lives Asia is a 5km obstacle race with not just man-made obstacles, but natural ones as well – we mean zombies, of course. These gory creatures which hang out along the course are out to grab the ‘flags’ – which represent your lives – given to you as you embark on your journey, making your way through bloodbaths, mazes and smokehouses in order to reach the sanctuary. If you prefer signing up as a zombie rather than a runner, that’s an option as well.
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The following fun runs happened last year, but they’ll be back this year!
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5) ILLUMI RUN
Date: 7 Dec 2013
Venue: F1 Village, Republic Boulevard
If you’re looking to combine partying and fun, then the Illumi run would be for you. Participants literally illuminated the night with their blinking armbands as they ran through the 5km course, which spanned 4 zones. At each zone, they were splashed with Illumi glow water and treated to different genres of music – from K-pop to retro and even Top 40 hits. It’s not technically a ‘race’ – it’s more like a party walk! At the end, participants got free photos of their glow-in-the-dark selves.
6) SWISSOTEL VERTICAL MARATHON
Date: 24 Nov 2013
Venue: Swissotel, The Stamford
Competitive runners, this one is for you. Despite its name, it isn’t about flying, scaling up walls or bungee jumping. It’s all about running up stairs – 1,336 stairs – over the course of 73 stories of the tallest hotel in Singapore. Since this is a competitive race, the runners who clock in the lowest possible time win. Those with vertigo need not apply…
7) THE COLOR RUN
Date: 17 & 18 Aug 2013
Venue: Sentosa
It’s untimed. It’s 5km long. It involves participants being doused in coloured powder from head to toe. The best part? It’s a non-competitive run where the fun is in getting doused in as many colours as possible. Running, jogging and strolling – all are allowed, so it’s more of a fun event with your friends rather than a race. Think of it as ‘holi’ on the move!
Have you participated, or will you be participating in any of these runs? What’s your take on them?
