Back with a new format, the second edition of the Force Of Nature Race Series took place at Singapore’s MacRitchie Reservoir last weekend, featuring four different race categories – 5km, 10km, 23km and 42km, to cater to trail runners of varying abilities and preferences.

Click here to view the Force of Nature Race 2019 Photos.

All four of the race routes comprised of 90 – 95 per cent trails, both old and new, at not only MacRitchie Reservoir but also its surrounding areas, with all routes being single, continuous runs rather than multi-looped running courses.

Runners enjoyed themselves 

And the runners who had taken part in the trail event all had a great time there.

Said a 10km runner, Rory Brett, 35, who works as a Creative Director in Advertising, “The race was very good. I enjoyed it and there turned out to be a lot of space for running. I was worried the trails would be crowded, but it was spread out.”

And agreed Cedric Poirel, 44, an engineering director who also participated in the 10km race, “The race was well organised. I was afraid there would be many people on the running route but it was still okay.”

Nice running amongst the Singapore jungles

He also continued, “It was also a nice change to run in the jungle and Singapore countryside, and not on the roads here.”

And Cedric’s thoughts were echoed by Sabrina Lalliard, 40, a Finance Director at a Cosmetics firm, who said, “I loved this race, because running through the jungles is much better than running on the flat roads. Here, you are protected from the sun by trees and there’s some wind, as well as being able to run through different landscapes, which was really nice.”

Hills were challenging 

Though the route was hilly, Sabrina, who took part in the 10km event, made it a point to keep running, and did not stop to walk.

She explained, “I was always running, even on the uphills. I made it a personal challenge today to tell myself not to walk at any point.”

This had been despite the fact that she had found the hills along the way, to be pretty challenging.

And also finding the hills pretty challenging had been Jamie Wong, 34, who works in Banking (Markets), and ran in the 23km category.  

Explained Jamie, “It was very challenging. I usually run road marathons, so this one, being my first trail race, was a lot harder. I had to concentrate a lot more and I twisted my ankle a few times because the pebbles and terrain are very different to road running.”

Jamie also continued, “It is a different sort of running, with the hills and elevation, as well as the constant ascent and descent, but it is all part of the run.”

As well, during the run, Jamie also admitted to suffering some cramps. He said, “I think I didn’t take enough salt and was not prepared for the race. I noticed that lots of people were carrying hydration packs, tablets and nutrition, which I did not bring. Lesson learnt, I need to bring my own drinks and hydration for trail races next time.”

Route, signages and organisation was done well

He had thought that the route and race organisation was very well done, though.

Explained Jamie, “They did well in laying out the route. People were worried about directions but it turned out to be very well-mapped out.”

Rory also shared Jamie’s sentiments, and added, “It was very clear on where to go at the turnaround and there were also photographers placed along the route cheering me on, so that was nice.”

Race could have began on time

However when asked for possible improvements, several runners pointed out that the race organiser could have started on time.

Due to massive queues in the race-day collection of the runners’ race packs, there had been a half-hour delay in the flag-off times.

Said Katy Killen, 29, and working in the Admissions department at an international school in Singapore, “The only real improvement that I can think of, is to start on time. That should be an easy fix, hopefully.”

Katy had taken part in the 10km event.

Rory also shared Katy’s sentiments. He said, “The race was a little too late in starting, so it got hot soon after we were flagged off. The earlier that we could start the race, the better it would be.”

Finish area was congested 

But besides making it a point to begin the race on time, Jamie also added that the area surrounding the finish line had been relatively congested.

He explained, “At the end, there were people walking in and out and this was quite confusing for the finishers who were coming in. The organiser should have made it a point to clear the path more.”

He continued, “But then, that said, this, being my first trail race experience, everything else was good, and I had a wonderful time.”