Organised by the Tampines West CSC, the 50 Hours Non-stop Run offer participants a very interesting running experience. This is a non-competitive run held at the Bedok Reservoir Park that started yesterday morning, and will continue all the way through till tomorrow (Monday) morning.
The 50hours non-stop run is currently taking place.
Informal run that runners complete at their own pace and target
As the name suggests, this informal run takes place over a time frame of 50 hours and runners can complete it at their own pace and starting and stopping their run at any time that they wish, within the 50 hours.
Participants can clock any amount of distance that they feel they are able to cope with too. Bronze, silver and gold medals are given to runners once they finish three laps (12.9km), six laps (25.8km) and ten laps (43km) respectively – as a form of stimulation and motivation for the runners.
Runners braving the heat at Bedok Reservoir Park.
Runners thought the whole format was interesting
Many runners who were taking part in this event, had found the entire race format to be rather interesting. Said mechanical engineer Solaimuthu (Nava) Navaneetham, 34, who was in the middle of his seventh lap this morning, “The sun is quite hot here now, but there is no time limit within the five- hours period to run the 10 laps so that’s quite interesting.”
He added, “The fact that they are also giving out three medals per runner also makes me want to push harder and go all the way to run at least ten laps. I started at 6am this morning – but I think it’s good that they let you start anytime you want.”
Runners taking a break.
Three medals allows runners to set different targets for themselves
Agreed Lim Chong Yee, 34, a civil servant, “Having three different categories for the finisher medals depending on how much distance you clock is also good because different people can set themselves different targets. I like choosing the distance to complete and run at my own pace, with the very generous cut-off time. This morning when I started my run, I saw people returning, who had begun their run yesterday to complete more laps, so I thought that was pretty good too.”
Lim, who had been running his fifth lap, was visibly relieved that he was almost done with his own run – as six laps had been his target when he had registered for the event. As well, he had also thought that the event was pretty well organised as a whole. Said Lim, “Organisers are enthusiastic and helpful all the way and the crowd is not a lot. It is a simple run that provides us with just enough support.”
A thirsty runner hydrates herself.
Enjoyed the sights and sounds at Bedok Reservoir
Other runners enjoyed the sights and sounds at Bedok Reservoir, which helped to distract them during their run. Said Muhammad Zulhilimi, 26, a PE teacher, “The scenery is good and there are a lot of nice sights and sounds to see along the route – including even some SEA Games rehearsals, so it’s quite interesting. It helps me to take my mind off the running, as I do not even have to listen to music while running here.”
The morning heat was a challenge
For some runners though, the morning heat posed as a huge challenge to their run. Said Melissa Ronquillo, 24, an accountant who was currently into her second lap, “It is very challenging! I started my run at 9am and gosh, the sun is so hot. But I want the three-lap medal before I stop, so I will push on to complete the minimum three laps.”
Slowing down for a drink.
Could be another water point
However other runners felt that there could have been improvements though. Said Ho Wei Kin, 27, a Design Engineer, “While I liked the fact that the cut-off time was very lenient in that runners have 50 hours for ten laps, perhaps there could have been another water point. There are only two – one at the start point and another one at the mid point. One more would have been better.”
One of the two hydration points at the run.
Nava begged to differ though. He said, “The two water points were well-spaced apart and that is enough hydration for me. But while the varied starting times are good, though, perhaps the organisers could have a time limit for each person’s run depending on what time you elect to start running – as that will help to make the run a bit more competitive.”
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