This year, the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run was rebranded to Yellow Ribbon Race (YRR) and comprised of both virtual and physical categories.

Virtual and Physical categories 

Participants could take part in both the virtual as well as the physical event. 

I had signed up for both categories. 

#YRCARE and #YRCHALLENGE

The virtual race had comprised of two categories – the #YRCARE which had no distance limits, and the #YRCHALLENGE where participants had to complete a duathlon comprising of two 10km runs and a 60km cycle. 

I picked the #YRCARE virtual category, where I could choose amongst three distance modes – water, wheels or foot.

I could interchange between any, either or all of these modes and log activities throughout the month of September. The cumulative distance will be tracked and logged.

Logging my sessions 

For me, I have been logging both runs and short cycling trips this month, with all my activities getting synced to the Yellow Ribbon Race web app via Strava. 

Connecting my Strava to their app is the most fuss-free method, because once the two apps have been connected with a simple click of a few buttons, I no longer need to think about, or manually upload any of my activities. It becomes a fully automated process.  

Physical 6km and 10km categories  

For the physical categories, there were a 6km and 10km run/walk. We went for the 10km category.

Race happened last Sunday

The physical run took place last Sunday morning.

This is the first physical event since 2019.

We had some initial difficulties with getting a cab at the early hour. It took about 20 mins to get one. Fortunately we had prepared extra time and made it to start area at Changi Prison around 6:45am. 

Begins to rain

Shortly after arriving, it began to drizzle.

The drizzle soon turned into a full-blown downpour. 

As a result, runners were asked to seek shelter immediately and a decision was made to delay the 10km flag off, which was originally scheduled for 7.15am.

Flag off delayed

The flag-off for the 10km was firstly changed to 7.45am.

However 7.45am came and went and nothing happened even though the rain appeared to have more or less cleared by this point in time. 

Then we got an SMS notification that the flag off would be delayed further. 

A fitness instructor attempted to hype up the runners in the start pen and get our adrenaline pumping.

Now time to run 

We were eventually flagged off at 8am, with the 10km being flagged off and the 6km category following us immediately behind.

The first 2km or so felt good. It was cooling and slightly windy.

But the humidity levels seemed high, as I quickly began to feel sticky with perspiration.

Run Route 

The route was quite straightforward, with 10km runners doing two laps of the route which looped around the roads surrounding Changi Prison.

Narrow paths 

There were several segments of the route that was quite narrow as only one lane had been cordoned off with makeshift yellow barricades, rather than the whole road being closed. 

Due to the narrow paths, the combined flag-off time, and the two-lap course, the faster 10km runners (under one hour) ended up clashing with those who were walking the two routes.

This was especially the case on our second loop around where we had to weave in and out of people who were strolling three or four abreast. 

Confusing 

At the Tanah Merah Besar Road short out-and-back u-turn point in the early stage of the run, the marshals there appeared confused at whether outbound runners should run on the left or right hand side. 

This is because they switched this around when we were on the way back. 

Fortunately things were much clearer when we reached this u-turn the second time round as it wa a two-lap course.

Route always ends at the prison 

The final 1.5km of the route was inside the prison itself. 

This segment is always a signature part of the Yellow Ribbon Run as it is the only running event where participants can run around the prison grounds. 

Hilly route 

It was a hilly route with some gentle slopes along the way, but nothing too challenging. 

An easy run 

Terence, Justina and I agreed to run the whole way together.

We took this as an easy run and not aiming for any timing. 

A few of our other kakis were also supposed to have been running easy alongside us, but when it came to the crunch, they’d left us smelling their dust. 

Sky opens up 

About 3km or so into our run, the sky opened up. 

It started with a drizzle, before quickly becoming moderate rain, and then hastily progressing into a full-blown downpour.

This rain continued throughout the entirety of our run, getting significantly heavier at some point, then giving us a short reprieve before the next onslaught. 

Apart from a few bus stops along the route, there was not much opportunities to take shelter.

But since we were already completely drenched, we’d all decided to keep on going. 

Race Hydration 

There were two hydration points situated along the route, both serving cold water. 

So for 10km runners, this meant that we had four opportunities to hydrate, which was more than adequate. 

Minister Tan Chuan-Jin

For about a couple of kilometres along the way, Marine Parade GRC’s Minister Tan Chuan-Jin was pacing alongside us.

He would eventually complete his 10km in 57 min 23 sec, a strong timing.

Ending the run

We ended the run crossing the finish line together, all completely soaking wet. 

We had finished in about 56 mins 49 sec according to my Garmin. 

Goodie bags and medal 

We took some photos at the finish line and then headed to pick up our goodie bag, which contained the finisher medal.

There was plenty of goodies inside, including crackers and even mooncakes. It was pretty generous.

But the key highlight had to be the unique crochet finisher medal, hand-made by the inmates. I thought that this was interesting and artistic. 

I have to comment that the plastic bag that was provided to us was very flimsy and brittle. It was not strong enough to contain the goodies and it broke easily.

Perhaps stronger bags that are less breakable should be used in the future. 

Post-Race

The post-race carnival was divided into two segments. 

The first comprised of stage performances and booths ranging from games and fun activities to yummy tidbits such as ice cream.

I had remembered that previous editions of the Yellow Ribbon Run had given out free flow of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream as one of the highlights. 

But this year’s race had a local ice cream cart providing the traditional-style rainbow bread ice cream. I would have queued up for it if the queue hadn’t been so long.

Challenges of the former inmates 

The second part of the carnival was an educational segment depicting the challenges faced by former inmates upon their release from prison.

With more than 9,000 being released from prison every year, ex-prisoners continue to be stigmatised and judged upon their release, thereby creating a second prison that they may struggle to break free from.

Through this educational segment sharing more about the struggles and challenges faced by ex-prisoners, the Yellow Ribbon Race hopes to create a more inclusive society.

Form of murals and games

This took place in the form of murals, games and challenges, such as an “oak tree” where we were instructed to tie a yellow ribbon onto to signify our support, and a jigsaw puzzle where we were tasked with piecing together special artworks drawn and created by the inmates, thereby showcasing their talents and skills as contributing humans to society.

They are people, just like us

I thought that this area was pretty interesting and a great way to send a message to the participants of the Yellow Ribbon Race that ex-prisoners are, put simply, people with dreams, hopes and aspirations, just like the rest of us.

The sheer crowds 

My main gripe was that the whole carnival area was super crowded when I was there.

This is because in past years, if there is no rain and delays, I can complete my 10km and still have time to try out most of the attractions before the bulk of the crowds descend on the carnival.

Breakfast 

Following the run, some of my friends and I took the bus to Expo and headed for breakfast, to escape the crowds and catch up again with one another.

Another memorable running experience 

This year’s Yellow Ribbon Race was definitely a very memorable and interesting experience, and I have to say that running in the heavy downpour was something that I’d never forget.