The Income Eco Run 2023 took place last Sunday morning at Marina Barrage.
Champions environmental conservation
Back for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, the Income Eco Run aims to champion environmental conservation and encourages everyone to play their part in supporting Zero Waste. The last edition took place in 2019.
A brand new format
This year, a new format was also introduced with a new one of a kind concept. This is because Income Eco Run did away with physical categories and instead, giving runners the flexibility to chart their own run.
As such, runners get to choose the distance that they want to run, beginning with 3km, up to a maximum of the half marathon of 21.1km.
The customised route offered seven exit points at 9km, 12km, 15km and 18km where runners would have access to public transport in order to get back to the Marina Barrage. 
For those wanting to run shorter distances, they could turn around at the 1.5km, 2.5km or 5km distance markers to complete 3km, 5km or 10km distances.
The format was pretty unique and something that I’ve never seen before at a running event. 
A dollar for every kilometre
Income also pledged to match a dollar for every 1km clocked during the run to the Singapore Environmental Council for the Zero Waste cause in support of the Singapore Green Plan 2030.
Participants could also pick one of three start times to clock their respective distance: 5:30am, 7:30am and 8am.
The event’s Guest of Honour, Minister Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, led the second flag off at 7:30am and ran 5km to support the cause.
Altogether, a collective total of 27,122 km was run by all 3,000 runners at the Income Eco Run. This translates to $30,000 raises for the Zero Waste cause as Income Insurance Limited topped up the final amount, together with donating $1 to the Singapore Environmental Council for every km clocked at the run. 
My Run
For me, I planned to run the full 21.1km and chose the 5:30am wave. I am happy that I contributed 21.1km to the cause.
This also meant that I had to arrive early at the Marina Barrage. I was awake at about 3:45am and called a cab down to the race area. I reached the site at around 4:50am. 
Upon arriving, the first thing I could hear an emcee who was talking loudly, trying his best to hype up the sleepy runners and rouse them from their early slumber.
We start on top of the Barrage
The start line was right at the top of the Marina Barrage slope. We had to walk up two flights of stairs to get up. 
This was an interesting idea on paper and meant the race would start on a downslope.
In theory, the views and scenery would also be beautiful as the Marina area is typically one of the most stunning areas of Singapore and the barrage is a good vantage point to see the cityscape from.
But in reality, the Marina Barrage slope was not very well lit and quite dark at the early hour. 
The ground was also not even, especially when the pavement ended and the grassy field began. It was hard to see.
As such, I had to really watch my step so that I didn’t trip on something and sprain myself. I noted that this issue was apparently for only the 5:30am flag off, as the sun would be up and it would already be bright by the time 7:30am rolled around.
Besides the darkness, the Marina Barrage slope was also rather narrow. So when we were flagged off, the start area was quite congested. 
I noted that this, together with the lack of lighting and terrain being a mix of both wet grass and pavement, could have been a serious trip hazard.
So I made sure I went really slow until the crowds and congestion dispersed and I could run properly. This was at least 400 meters into the run when I finally picked up the pace and rhythm. 
Race strategy
My strategy was simple: To tag along with the two hour pacers and basically follow them the whole way. Despite the non-competitor nature of the race, pacers were still present to help runners achieve their desired timings.
This is a pretty steady pace for me and I was able to do this throughout the run, including speeding up slightly at the end. So I definitely wasn’t tanked out. 
Route
The full race route for 21.1km began and ended at the Marina Barrage and went around the bay, touching slightly on East Coast Park before rounding the Sports Hub and heading back to the Barrage via Kallang and the F1 Pit Building.
Along the way, we also ran past the Keppel Marina East desalination plant and also the ArtScience Museum, both of which are iconic and interesting architectures in Singapore. 
Terrain and turns
The terrain was pretty much park connector network (PCN) all the way. So no roads were closed. There were a number of twists and turns and corners and also a couple of bridges that we had to cross. Bridges always mean upslopes and downslopes. All in all, there were several spots on the route that required slowing down. It wasn’t smooth running.
There was also one segment around 12 and 13km that was confusing. This was the Tanjong Rhu stretch between Mountbatten Road and the Singapore Sports Hub. We didn’t know whether to run on the left or right side of the path as the instructions seemed neither clear nor concise.
Runners were on both sides, weaving in and out of each other. To give the organisers credit, there were cones to mark and segregate the two paths along the PCN but runners apparently weren’t following. As well, the path here was also pretty narrow too.
Some stretches of the route were also rather dimly-lit so, again, I was watching my step, so that I didn’t wind up with a flesh wound, or worse, a twisted ankle. 
Distances
I found that running together with the pacers was also good with regards to pace checking and whether to stay on pace, slow down or speed up to run a sub 2 half marathon.
A sub 2 half is 5:40 mins/km pace. 
This was primarily because the distance markers were positioned quite weirdly.
Several were as much as 1.5km apart, while others were 500 meters apart.
For example, it was very confusing to see the 18km marker when my watch buzzed 19km. 
I noted that this would make it difficult to pace for runners who were relying on these markings to gauge their timing.
As well, I also failed to spot a couple of the distance markers as they were somewhat hidden and not prominently positioned.
At least the markings signalling the exit points along the route were clear and pointed out exactly where runners could exit and stop their respective run. 
Educational and informative
Another good point was that the distance markers were educational and informative with green messages and tips on how to save the environment, which I thought was a nice touch.
So I came away from the run learning several new tidbits about environmental conservation. 
Hydration and reusable cups
There were hydration points positioned roughly every 2 to 3km into the run.
About half were serving water and isotonic, while the other half was providing water only. The isotonic drink was 100PLUS, a popular choice in Singapore.
The Income Eco Run had given us reusable cups when we entered the start pen. We were to use these cups to collect fluids at the hydration stations. I did attempt to do this, but I found the process cumbersome.
This is because it required me to come to a complete stop for the volunteers to fill the cup, breaking my momentum. Usually I grab a cup and go, drinking without breaking my stride.
Fortunately there were already cups of fluids pre-filled by the volunteers. These cups are combustible and do not contain plastic lining. 
The combustible cups were supposed to be for runners who dropped or lost their reusable cup according to the Income Eco Run team.
Ice-cold beverages
While the beverage provided was ice-cold, I would have personally preferred most of the stations to have 100PLUS available to us, as I feel that replenishing of salts and electrolytes is more important than drinking water when running in high heat and humidity.
After all, it was a pretty warm day but at least there was some breeze along the way, which somewhat helped to mitigate the humid air.
It was already beginning to get super hot at about 7:15am as the sun had recently risen. I was glad that I was nearly finished with my run at this point. I could not imagine myself just having to begin the run at this point, as the 7:30am wave would have to do. 
Breaking away
I broke away from the 2 hour pacers at around the 20km marker and sped up, not stopping until I saw the finishing line. 
From the 20km marker to the finish line, my watch measured about 600m distance.
Sub 2
I stopped the clock at 1 hour 58 mins 44 seconds according to my Garmin. Sub 2.
The final distance for the full course was 21.11km as measured by my Garmin. At least it was accurate despite the peculiar distance markings along the way. 
The pacers came in about half a minute after me.
No finisher medals and t-shirts
Our race entitlements comprised of a banana and free-flow cans of 100PLUS. In line with the environmental message of the Income Eco Run, there were no medals or finisher t-shirts being handed out. 
Instead, runners will be given commemorative e-certificates with timing to acknowledge their participation.
This move resulted in 169kg of materials saved to produce commemorative medals. As we were given timing chips embedded in our bibs, we can check on the event website in the coming days, whether we had run a personal best timing providing we had clocked out either at one of the designated race exit points or completed the full 21.1km course. 
Race tees as an opt-in purchase
Additionally, the event organisers also encouraged runners to run in their own orange t-shirts or past Income Eco Run race tees to promote reusing and recycling of existing clothes while reducing the production of the 2023 race t-shirts. 
Manufactured using recyclable materials, the 2023 t-shirts were made available as an opt-in purchase, meaning only runners who wanted them would get them.
With 47% of runners, including me, opting to use their own t-shirts, this saved 135kg of material that would otherwise have been used to make the t-shirts. 
Smaller running bibs
Besides the t-shirts, running bibs for the Income Eco Run were also 30% smaller than conventional running bibs in Singapore, to reduce wastage. 
All these measures had demonstrated how waste management can be better mitigated at mass events.
Race village
The race village was a hive of activity at 7:30am, with lots to see and do. Tired but happy runners were slowly filing back in by this stage. 
Free ice cream was being given out by the Momolato brand and this proved to be super popular, attracting long queues of runners who had wanted to tuck into the refreshing treat in exchange for an Instagram “Like.” I must say it was a super effective marketing strategy.
As well, there were plenty of booths selling healthy food and snacks, ranging from granolas, cakes and cookies, to fruits and yoghurt and beverages. 
Free samples were provided at many of the booths too and from what I witnessed, this had proved to be effective for many of the runners who had tried the items and ended up making a purchase.
Mass stretching workout
A mass post-run stretching workout was being conducted by the event’s gym partners at around 8:15am but I didn’t participate in it. 
Nonetheless, I suppose that it was a good way to add some hype and atmosphere to the Income Eco Run festivities and stimulate runners in a bid to reduce their muscle aches after the exertion.
My thoughts
My initial impressions was that in spite of the novel and unusual premise of the Income Eco Run, the 5:30am flag off had comprised mostly of serious runners who were planning to take on the full 21.1km. 
As such, it felt like a 21.1km race throughout and I was not alone during any part of my run. I personally didn’t witness any runners clocking out at any of the exit points. I had originally thought it would be more varied with more runners clocking out and taking on different distances.
I guess this is because it takes a certain degree of dedication and commitment for runners to pay money to wake up at 3 plus in the morning for a 5:30am race after all.
My own reason for choosing the 5:30am flag off? To siam the sun, which I successfully did. 
I later suspected that the 7:30am wave would have consisted mostly of participants who had wanted to run between 5km to 10km and the 8am wave, runners who were aiming for between 3km to 5km.
That said, I did enjoy my time at the Income Eco Run. After the pandemic, it sure felt great to be part of a mass event such as this again and the free ice cream was definitely good. I will never take mass runs for granted again.
I always enjoy the fun vibe and atmosphere at mass events and the Income Eco Run certainly lived up to this. The Zero Waste mindset also meant that we were running for a cause much greater than ourselves, something that resonates with you in the latter kilometres to finish the targeted distance when the going gets tough. 
Zero Waste
The organisers were also happy to see the return of the Income Eco Run.
Said Andrew Yeo, CEO, Income Insurance, “It’s wonderful to see Singaporeans returning to champion the Zero Waste cause at the Income Eco Run this morning. To ramp up our efforts in waste management at the event, we took actions that were unprecedented at a mass run in Singapore.”
He added, “We are proud to lead by example to inspire more Singaporeans and future events to take on a Zero Waste mindset and to practise reducing, reusing and recycling.”
Driving the Zero Waste agenda further
Moving forward, Zero Waste SG has joined the Income Eco Run as a green partner and will be working with Income Insurance and Singapore Environmental Council to further drive the Zero Waste agenda.
The funds raised from the run will be used to support the Singapore Environmental Council’s Zero Waste initiatives and empower educators with the knowledge to raise environmental awareness in educational institutions and inspire the next generation of eco warriors.
Leave a Comment