The fight against the Covid-19 pandemic has been ongoing for the past few months, with our nation’s front-liners working tirelessly to keep Singapore functioning as normally as possible, during these trying times.

That is where Run for Heroes comes in. This is a groundbreaking 1km virtual running initiative that aims to build a national movement of support for Singapore’s healthcare and service front-liners amidst this pandemic.

A couple of months back, I completed my 1km Run For Heroes and blogged about my experience.

I find the Run For Heroes an inspiring initiative and a great way to rally Singaporeans together to throw our support behind our fellow countrymen who are on the front-lines of this pandemic. As a Singaporean, I feel that this is the least that I can do, in order to help in the fight against Covid-19.

Since I took part the previous time, Run for Heroes, has expanded to introduce new 55km and 550km categories to inspire more Singaporeans to keep fit.

And as well, on National Day, the organising team also gathered 11 ambassadors together, with the aim of running 55km to celebrate Singapore’s 55th birthday.

Each ambassador was to get a team of four runners together to complete a 1km run at a time and location of the ambassador’s choosing.

I had been one of the 11 selected ambassadors and in the days leading up to National Day, I put up a contest on my social media pages to entice runners to show their support and join my team.

Four ambassadors had been selected to join my team on the eve of National Day, but one unfortunately pulled out because of other commitments, so in the end, three other runners joined me at 5pm at East Coast Park for the 1km run.

The 1km run was a short and fast affair. After a quick briefing where I thanked my runners for coming down to show their support for the Run for Heroes cause and then going through the planned route with them, a simple out-and-back, we started the 1km run.

It was a simple run beginning at the entrance to East Coast park’s Parkland Green underpass and running 500m in the direction of Fort road, before u-turning back the way that we had come.

We ran together the whole way, maintaining a good pace and completing the distance in about six minutes.

And from the looks of their faces after we were done, I am happy to report that everyone had a lot of fun and enjoyed themselves tremendously, even though completing the 1km effort may have left some more winded and needing to catch their breath afterwards. But I am proud of them all for finishing it together with me.

To thank my participants for joining me, I handed out goodie bags, compliments of the Run For Heroes organisers, as well as isotonic drinks after the run.

The goodie bags had contained a limited-edition Singapore flag themed face mask, as well as a Run for Heroes wristband, a pen, and a sticker. I have to say that I really love the design of the mask.

It had been a great achievement for a great cause and a lovely way to spend some time in the evening amidst these difficult Covid-19 times.