How have you been keeping yourself fit during this Covid Circuit Breaker period? 

Aims to contain the spread of Covid-19

Covid Circuit Breaker, which will last until 1st June, is an implementation of strict social distancing measures by the Singapore government in order to contain the spread of the rampant Covid-19 coronavirus which has greatly disrupted our day-to-day lives, livelihoods and economy.

Here in Singapore, we are fortunate that we are still allowed to run outdoors, providing that we run solo at our neighbourhood park, practise safe distancing during the run and head straight home immediately upon completing the run.

But with no running events to train for, it may be hard to stick to a regular running routine.

Run or walk 5km at your own pace

Photo: Covid Circuit Breaker Virtual Run

So to encourage Singaporeans to stay fit and active and continue to exercise during these unprecedented times, two local event management companies, Orange Room and Ideas Room Consulting, have come together to launch the Circuit Breaker Virtual Run 2020.

During this covid-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to keep ourselves healthy in order to keep our immune system strong to combat this virus.

The Covid Circuit Breaker Virtual Run requires participants to run or walk 5km at their own time and own pace, whenever they are ready to do so. They can cover the distance in one go, or break it up into two or three sessions to cover a total of 5km on their GPS watch. 

I have completed my 5km

Photo: Covid Circuit Breaker Virtual Run

I have registered for, and have completed this run, in a bid to motivate myself to keep up my running routine, at a time when I am beginning to feel my willpower flagging with no official running races in sight.

In line with circuit breaker requirements, this run can be completed either indoors or outdoors. 

For clocking of outdoor runs, running apps such as Garmin Connect, RunKeeper, Strava and MapMyRun are accepted, as well as photos of GPS watches with evidence of 5km having being completed.

However for outdoor runs, do note that it has to be a solo effort with social distancing etiquette strictly observed and to be clocked around your neighbourhood. You must also mask up both before and after the run, and only take the mask off during the run.

Ran around my neighbourhood park

Being a regular runner, I opted to complete my run outdoors around my neighbourhood park on one humid Saturday morning, doing the 5km run in one session and in less than 30 minutes. 

It had been a great way to get in some endorphins to begin my weekend. It was not a PB but was one of my faster 5km runs in recent times.

Completing indoors is acceptable too

But if you opt to do the run indoors and you do not have access to a treadmill or a GPS watch with indoor function, then step counters or pedometers are also accepted. 

For pedometers, 5km is equivalent to a steps count of 7,500. Once 7,500 steps are achieved, take a screenshot and submit the result. This is to allow inclusivity.

Engage and inspire the community to stay active

The primary aim of the Circuit Breaker Virtual Run 2020 is to engage and inspire the community to stay active during the extended circuit breaker period.

Registration is open

Circuit Breaker Virtual Run is currently open for registration and the sign up fee is S$20 per person. All participants who successfully submit their proof of evidence will earn a uniquely designed medal and a limited-edition tee for their efforts.

Having completed and submitted my 5km run, I eagerly await the runner’s entitlements, which, in years to come, will definitely be a unique reminder of this unprecedented period of our lives where everything had been disrupted.

You may register for the Circuit Breaker Virtual Run at https://www.townscript.com/e/circuitbreaker2020. 

Registration closes on 1 June, in line with the ending of the Covid Circuit Breaker period.