After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the physical edition of the Singtel – Singapore Cancer Society Race Against Cancer returned last weekend.

Minimise cancer and maximise lives 

Organised by the Singapore Cancer Society, the Race Against Cancer aims to raise funds for cancer treatment subsidies, welfare assistance, cancer rehabilitation, hospice care, cancer screenings, research, public education and cancer support group initiatives.

Through the event, the Singapore Cancer Society hopes to make a statement against cancer, to Minimise Cancer and Maximise Lives. This is because nobody should fight cancer alone.

I have taken part in the Race Against Cancer every year since 2014, when my mum had been diagnosed with brain cancer. 

Physical and virtual events  

The physical event comprised of a 5km Fun Run as well as the 10km and 15km Competitive categories.

I took part in the 10km Competitive category.

Besides the physical races, the virtual events, which were born during the Covid-19 pandemic, also made a return. 

This comprised of 5km, 10km, 21km and 42km categories. Runners could opt to register for both the physical and the virtual races. 

Physical race took place last Sunday

The physical events took place last Sunday morning at Angsana Green, East Coast Park. 

The 15km was scheduled to flag off at 7:15am with the 10km following at 7:40am. 

Reaching the race area 

I cycled down to the race site and reached the area at around 7am.

In order to enter the race site, we had to ready our TraceTogether app to prove that we were vaccinated. Only fully vaccinated runners were allowed to participate, in line with the Covid-19 regulations for the comeback of mass events in Singapore. 

I had friends who were running the race too, but I struggled to find anyone due to the large number of runners congregating on-site. 

Based on the crowds congregating at Angsana Green, it was clear that the pandemic was well and truly over in Singapore.

Entering the start pen

10km runners were let into the start pen at about 7:30am. I made a beeline for the start pen as soon as I saw runners entering, and made it into the first wave.

My Coached buddy and team-mate Iris found her way into the start pen next to me.

After a short warm-up led by fitness instructors from race sponsors True Fitness, they finally unleashed the kraken (us).

Settling into target pace

I immediately took off, trying to break free of the human traffic and settle into target pace from the start. 

I had one goal for this run: to break my 10km personal best (49 min 26 sec) which I did at the Run For Light earlier this year in May. Anything else would be a bonus.

So I was targeting an average pace of around 4:50 to 4:55 minutes per kilometre. 

Focusing on a rhythm 

I think I may have started a tad fast but after the buzz and hype from the first kilometre, which registered as 4:44 min on my Garmin, I soon slowed down and focused on my pace and maintaining a constant rhythm.

Somehow my heart rate was already rather high at the beginning, but I put it down to pre-race nerves and adrenaline. 

Straightforward route

The race route was straightforward. For the 10km, it was a simple out-and-back course down East Coast Park – from Angsana Green to Coastal PlayGrove and back.

This is completely pancake-flat with zero hills and no elevation. 

Good weather 

The weather during the initial stages was very forgiving. 

We were blessed with a cool, sunless morning, complete with a nice breeze.

Hydration 

There were about three water stations along the 10km route. 

These were pretty evenly spaced out and the water served was ice-cold.

I think that I only took water at the first station, slowing down to swipe a cup and drink it without stopping.

I reached the u-turn point in good time and my pace was on target. There was a timing mat there and I made sure I stepped onto it so that my timing would be captured. 

Raining heavily 

However the weather soon took a turn for the worst.

I think it was around 6km or so, when I could feel the wind getting stronger and the sky turned significantly darker. It felt as though heavy rain was on the way. 

At this stage, I was fervently praying that the rain would hold off until I was finished with my run.

Nope, that didn’t happen.

The skies completely opened up when I was about 8.5km into my run. 

I had a decision to make: either seek shelter and abandon the run, or complete the run in the rain. 

I decided to just carry on in order to complete what I had started.

The rain very quickly grew much heavier and I could barely see where I was going. 

I was running half-blind by this stage. Rainwater was getting into my eyes and my contact lenses were stinging.

Finishing under the downpour 

But I just grit my teeth and went for it. I didn’t bother to look at my watch any longer; I just simply ran as hard as I could, so that I could reach the finish line, complete the race and get under the shelter at the race precinct.

Due to not being able to see where I was going, I almost missed the turn into the finish chute.

I only realised it when a blurry figure, which turned out to be another runner within my line of sight, turned in rather than going straight.

As I approached the finish chute, it was still raining cats and dogs and a runner right in front of me skidded and fell due to the slippery ground. 

I saw him fall and made sure I slowed my pace so that the same fate didn’t befall me.

The race organisers were also yelling at people coming in to slow down but I’m not sure how many runners could hear their shouts, due to the loud roaring of the rain and wind. 

It was indeed a new personal best for 10km. My Garmin showed 48 minutes 31 seconds. I was elated. 

Due to finishing under the heavy rain, I would have to say that it was probably my most memorable race finish ever.

Finisher entitlements 

Somebody shoved a medal into my hand when I blindly staggered my way into the finisher area after crossing the line, rainwater in my eyes.

With regards to the finisher entitlements, we received a race finisher medal, a can of isotonic drink, a bottle of mineral water, a banana and a bottle of Yakult. 

The sweet and milky Yakult tasted so good and I ended up helping myself to additional servings. It was a pity that each bottle was so small. 

As well, ponchos were being given out too due to the heavy rain. 

Race stopped due to the rain

Shortly after I had finished running and collected my entitlements, I received an SMS notification on my phone alerting runners that the race had been stopped due to heavy rain and lightning alert. 

So I guess I was fortunate that I had come in before this decision was made. 

I finished in second place

As well, I was later informed that I had come second in the 10km Women’s category. 

This was my first time placing in the top three at a running race.

My bib number was called out. I was due to report to the side of the stage for the prize presentation ceremony.

It was actually a pretty surreal feeling to walk up on stage and stand on the podium to receive my prize. I tried to soak up the experience as much as I could.

Breakfast 

After the prize presentation, I joined my friends for breakfast at the nearby hawker centre. 

Throughout the morning while we were eating, the rain continued to come on and off, and I had wondered how I would be able to cycle home later. 

The roads can be slippery and dangerous especially when riding on a road bike in wet weather. 

But fortunately the rain slowed down and stopped in time for me to get back. 

A memorable event 

Overall I have to say that Race Against Cancer 2022 was definitely a memorable event for me and a great way to mark my second local running race event post-pandemic. I will never forget my finish in the heavy rain. I will be back.