The Run For Singapore is an online running challenge that celebrates Singapore’s 55th national day by encouraging participants to get active through running, and aiming to hit a collective distance goal together.

Taking place from 1st August to 30th September, participants can join either the 5.5km or the 55km category, under the Basic, Classic or Premium tier.

This year, with the Covid-19 coronavirus running rampant around the world, I thought that the Run for Singapore challenge this year was especially meaningful, as it is a good way of uniting Singaporeans together to celebrate our nation’s independence. 

As a young nation, Singapore’s most important resource is its people, so during these trying times, it is especially crucial that we Singaporeans all stick together. So I opted for the 55km Premium category.

This category, priced at $48.98/pax, entitles runners to  a finisher’s medal and finisher’s tee, as well as a race singlet and commemorative coin.

However, the registration fees start at $18.98 for both the 5.5km and the 55km categories, for those who just require a finisher’s medal.

My Run for Singapore singlet arrived the week before the challenge, just in time for me to take it out on my runs and show off my national pride as a Singaporean.

The size of the singlet is correct, but unfortunately it is unisex sizing. I would have preferred a male/female cutting instead, because a female’s body shape is different to that of a male. I have realised that most ‘unisex’ apparel are typically cut to cater to a male body shape, and not a female one.

Other than that, I loved the design of the singlet though. The contrast of red and white colours are just nice and remind me of the Singapore flag, but at the same time, without overdoing it.

As I am a pretty high mileage runner, so clocking 55km over a period of about a week is not too difficult for me. 

I did the 55km over several sessions, beginning with a 5km on Saturday and a 21km long run on Sunday, both weekend runs done with running buddies. 

So far, this had been a good start to the Run For Singapore challenge.

I continued to clock runs through the week, and these included my hour-long Tuesday and Thursday sessions with my running club, Coached. The rest of the sessions to make up the 55km were easy, solo runs at an aerobic heart rate around the vicinity of my house.

Uploading the sessions are quite easy and simple via the Spacebib platform. Upon logging in, I would simply key in the distance and duration of my run, while providing evidence via screenshot of my Garmin Connect app. I did not experience any technical problems along the way.

Additionally too, evidence can be provided via any running apps, such as Strava and Runkeeper, as well as treadmill records, health apps such as Apple Health and step trackers or pedometers. So the requirements are quite flexible and open to almost everyone who owns some form of tracking mechanism.

The 55km was completed in less than a week. Upon completion of my 55km, I received a message on my Spacebib account that my medal and tee-shirt would be on the way.

However I did not expect the organisers to be so prompt in sending my finisher’s entitlements over.

To my surprise, I received the medal and tee-shirt on National Day itself, just in time to wear to celebrate Singapore’s birthday. I was pleasantly surprised by the efficiency.

The Run for Singapore medal feels quite heavy and solid in my hand, and the design of both the medal and the accompanying commemorative coin look great. I am happy with these.

As for the finisher tee-shirt, once again, this is unisex sizing. So I have to comment that I would actually have preferred a distinctive male/female cutting  to have been made available. 

While the size does seem to be correct, the fitting does not appear to be the most flattering on me, due to the differences in male and female body shapes.

But despite the minor fitting/sizing issues of the singlet and the finisher tee-shirt, I do feel that the Run for Singapore challenge is a great way to celebrate our nation’s birthday by getting out there and being fit and active. It is a virtual event that I will continue to support.

You can still sign up for Run for Singapore at https://www.spacebib.com/events/view/run-for-singapore-online-challenge-2020-586.