The sixth edition of the Lunghi Run took place last evening at Bedok Reservoir Park, with runners each completing the 4.3km loop around the reservoir.
Click here to view the Lunghi Run 2018 photos in the photo gallery.
More photos have been added to the Asics Relay 2018 photo gallery. Click here to view.
Gathers all Races and religions together
And the objectives of the Lunghi Run, which has taken place each year since 2013, are to gather all races and religions together as one united running family with fun and laughter and to do service to society at the same time.
For this run, participants are encouraged to wear a Lunghi – which is a type of Indian and Malay costume that is also commonly known as a sarong – to complete the running distance that the have had registered for.
The Lunghi Run was founded by Ali Akbar, who had been planning for, and had dreamt of seeing the 2018 edition of Lunghi Run come to fruition, but Ali had unfortunately passed away from lung cancer earlier this year before he could organise this.
So in order to bring the event to fruition, some dedicated runners and communities came together to organise the 2018 Lunghi Run – in memory of Ali. And more than 300 runners each paid the entrance fee of S$28 and turned up at Bedok Reservoir Park to support the Lunghi Run, completing the fun run for a fallen running comrade.
Lunghi Run was founded in 2013 by ALI AKBAR, who passed away this year from lung cancer. [Photo from Ali Akbar’s Facebook page]
Participants enjoyed the event
Though the mood had initially been sombre because of the reason behind the run, Raymon added that he had thoroughly enjoyed the event as it was completely different to most of the serious running events around Singapore these days.
Explained Raymon, “I liked the fact that everyone today was so happy. We all came not to race, but to have fun. It was an easy run and the crowd and atmosphere was great. Everyone was laughing and having a good time and it was great to see old friends and make new ones, too.”
Said another participant, Mohammad Aidil, 46, a Manager in the plastics industry, “We all know each other in some way or other through our connections with Ali, so I could see everyone gathering and mingling with each other – that was very fun and memorable.”
Ali’s passing brought awareness to the community
He added, “I also felt that a lot of people were wearing the Lunghi compared to past years. Previously it seemed like many people signed up but they didn’t wear the Lunghi as they were unaware of the significance of Lunghi Run but Ali’s passing brought awareness to more people.”
Aidil himself met Ali through running and he has run in a Lunghi with Ali for a number of years, taking part in events such as the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon and the 2XU Compression Run wearing his Lunghi.
Said Aidil, “I met Ali and knew him from running and I hope that the Lunghi Run will carry on. Ali has done a great job and I wish to continue to see this run become an annual fixture on the running calendar.”
Joined the run in support of his former colleague
The Lunghi Run 2018 didn’t attract just runners though. Mohd Aza Hari bin Rawi, who also participated in the event, admitted that he has not run for more than 30 years, but this year, he had decided to join the Lunghi Run 2018 because of Ali, his former colleague and superintendent.
Said Aza, “I always knew that Ali was active in the Lunghi Run community, so with his passing last August, all of our company decided to come down and support this year’s Lunghi Run. This is my first Lunghi Run and so I wanted to complete the run in memory of him.”
Aza also added that the 4.3km run turned out to be easier than he’d expected and that he is happy with himself for having completed the distance.
Happy to have completed the run
Added Aza, “The weather was quite windy but this was my first time running and I managed to finish the 4.3km so I am happy with myself. Originally when it rained, I thought that the run would be cancelled so I am glad that they still decided to carry on with the event.”
Aza admitted that it had been a little bit hot running in the Lunghi though. He said, “This run concept is different to many other runs across Singapore because you wear the Lunghi to run and this is quite unique. Everyone has a different way to wear the sarong and for me, I just use it long. That made it quite hot to run with, though.”
Nevertheless, despite the challenges that the Lunghi may have posed to run in, all of the participating runners completed the Lunghi Run in good spirts, receiving a medal as well as a can of Pocari Sweat, a bottle of water and a packet of crisps, for their efforts.
A Fun Event
After the run, many of the participants continued to stay behind to mingle with one another and share their experiences at the run, as well as their stories and fond memories about Ali.
It was a fun event, which celebrated Ali’s life and remembering him in the jovial way that the runner would probably have wanted, instead of mourning his passing.
Added Raymon, “Ali was close to many runners in Singapore and the Lunghi Run will always remember him. I hope to see this run continue, as a way of celebrating the anniversary of his passing, every year.”
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