Beginning and ending at ION Orchard Shopping Mall, the Christmas Costume Run has become an annual fixture on my festive running calendar for the past few years.

This year, however, was the first time that the run was taking place on the Saturday before Christmas.

Prior to this, the event had annually been taken place on Christmas Day itself, like clockwork. I had wondered what the reason behind the change had been.

But I still tried my best to make it down to the event, as I love the festive vibe and Christmas cheer when I run down Orchard Road and the city, decked out in my Christmas running gear.

Reaching ION Orchard

We were expected to gather at ION Orchard at 8am for the run, so I got up a couple of hours earlier to get my costume on and then to make my way down to Orchard.

I reached ION Orchard at about 7.45am and there were already quite a lot of runners by then. 

Runners Dress Up

True to the spirt of the festive season, many of the attendees present, had on Santa Claus’ distinctive red and white hat. Others were wearing red and green outfits, the colours of Christmas. 

A few other runners were in costume, too, and I recognised characters such as Maleficient, Black Panther, Hulk and Batman.

I did not require the baggage deposit services, but runners who needed to drop their belongings could do so in their fellow runners’ cars.

Run Begins

After a group photo, the run itself started at about 8.15am and we ran from ION Orchard, down Orchard Road, towards City Hall and Marina Bay Promenade before then heading back to Orchard.

Easy Pace

Many of us were running at a very easy pace of about 8 mins per kilometre or slower, as this was supposed to just be a fun session and not a race, after all.

We regrouped at some of the traffic light junctions – so that the slow runners and walkers could catch up with the faster runners too.

Photo Taking

And we stopped to take several photos and spread some Christmas cheer as we ran.

There were also several cameramen who were running with us too, so there were group photos at some vantage points along the route, including the Bayfront Event Space and the Sir Stamford Raffles statue.

During the run, I noted that a few of the passers-by had stopped and watched us run past, probably wondering why there had suddenly been so many runners dressed in costume! Some were even spotted taking pictures of us.

Some Festive Cheer Lacking

However, I had felt that the some of festive spirit and cheer that I had come to expect of this fun run, had been lacking this year.

I am not sure, though, if that was because we were running a few days before Christmas, or due to some other reason.

Suffocating 

Due to the late starting time, however, it began to feel rather hot about halfway along, and I began to suffocate from the heat. As a result, I slowed my pace down, but the heat and humidity was relentless as the morning continued to wear on.

I think that it didn’t really help too, that my heart rate has not fully recovered from the 42.195km run at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon – which had took place a couple of weeks back.

The final few kilometres heading back towards Orchard Road were especially tough because of the weather, but I managed to maintain a slow jogging pace and taking the chance to catch my breath at the traffic light junctions.

Taking Photos At The Christmas Decor

When I reached Orchard Road again, there wasn’t too much of a crowd, so I took the opportunity to take some nice photos posing at a few of the shopping mall Christmas decorations along the way, as I ran down the pavement there.

Finishing The Run

Seeing ION Orchard up ahead though, was very welcoming, and it had felt like more relief than anything else, when I could finally end my run – at the same place where I had started.

I gulped down the remainder of the water that I had upon catching my breath back, and then after that, I caved in to buying an ice cream at the ice cream van which had parked itself in front of the busy shopping mall. And I had to admit that this tasted especially cold and refreshing!

Catching Up With Friends

I spent the remainder of the time taking photos with some of the other runners and catching up with a few friends, before calling it a day and then making my way home.