Bedok Reservoir parkrun reopens, fifth parkrun in Singapore!

With the reopening of Bedok Reservoir parkrun last Saturday, Singapore now has five parkrun events.

Bedok Reservoir park is located in the eastern region of Singapore and the nearest train stations are Bedok North and Bedok Reservoir, both on the Downtown Line. From the Singapore city center, it’s a 22-minute ride via Grab (Singapore’s version of popular ride-hailing app Uber). Taking Grab is the best way to get to Bedok Reservoir.

I attended the relaunch parkrun at of Bedok Reservoir last Saturday and it was an awesome event. It is a 7:30am start, so do take note if you are from the UK and used to 9am starts. Aim to arrive by 7:15am as we start on time with the first timers’ briefing and run director’s briefing, both mandatory listening if it’s your first time doing the parkrun.

The route is a one-lap course around Bedok Reservoir. The course is about 90% gravel and it is flat, with the exception of a gradual upslope finish.

Due to the gravel, you can expect to complete it slightly slower than you would run on cement/pavement. But who’s looking at timing? After all, parkrun is not a race. As we always say at parkrun, you can walk, jog or spectate, anybody and everyone is welcome to complete the 5km at their own pace.

It is a scenic run and on a good day, you might see the sunrise. Along the way, there are sights such as Passion Wave at Bedok Reservoir, a water sports equipment rental facility in Singapore where you can try your hand out at kayaking or canoeing, as well as HomeTeamNS, a recreational club for National Servicemen and their families in Singapore to recognise their contributions and services to our island nation.

If you’re lucky, you may also see people wakeboarding or canoeing on the lake. It’s quite a beautiful sight.

Singapore is hot and humid though so do take note and pace yourself accordingly if you are not used to the weather. Start conservatively and go out slower than what you usually would run.

As the route is around a lake, you will be okay if you mostly follow the path.

I always enjoy running around the Bedok Reservoir lake as it is quite relaxing to run there. It can be easy to tune out and get into the groove, but remember to keep your wits about you so that you do not miss the turn-in and end up doing another lap and completing a 10km parkrun instead!

Once you hit the 4.5km mark on your watch, do keep a lookout for the marshal which marks the turn-in to the finish line.

This is probably the most important turn for the Bedok Reservoir parkrun. It is marked out by cones too, so should not be too hard to spot. Once you turn, you will find yourself running a gradual uphill all the way to the finish. Keep following the path and you will then see the finish line up ahead.

Congratulations on finishing the Bedok Reservoir parkrun! Once you are done, scan your barcode and token, return the token to the barcode scanner (note to all first-timers and tourists: the tokens are not souvenirs) and head to Mr Prata to enjoy a delicious Singaporean breakfast of roti prata and local coffee.