Run For Inclusion – a running event that promotes the well-being and integration of Persons With Special Needs – is back for the fifth year in 2019.

This event is organised by RunningHour Co-Operative Limited, which was co-founded in 2009 by John See Toh and Chan Jan Siang with the aim of providing an avenue for mildly intellectually challenged youths to participate in sports and integrate within mainstream society.

The club expanded to include visually challenged runners in 2012 and in 2014, they officially registered as a co-operative.

Happening At Punggol On 27 July

And taking place at Punggol SAFRA at 4pm on 27 July, the 2019 edition of the Run For Inclusion event aims to spread further awareness and understanding towards Persons With Special Needs through physical fitness and it is the only running event in Singapore where participants can run alongside hearing, intellectually, physically and visually challenged runners.

Complimentary Slots For Persons With Special Needs

And to promote an active lifestyle among Persons With Special Needs, Run For Inclusion 2019 will continue to offer complimentary slots for Persons With Special Needs and their caregivers, limited to one caregiver, to encourage them to join the Run. 

1,000 Slots will be available, up from 700 Slots in 2018. Complimentary bus services at centralised pick-up points will also be provided by Persons With Special Needs and their caregivers.

Wheelchair Friendly Race Route

The race route will also be Wheelchair Friendly, to encourage Wheelchair users to take part in the Run as well.

New 20KM Cycling Event

As well, to cater to those who may not be able to run, a new category being introduced in the 2019 event is the 20KM Cycling (non-competitive) where participants can cycle alongside Persons With Special Needs on single bicycles or together with them on tandem bicycles.

Besides this event, the 10KM Run, 5KM Walk and 3KM Walk are also making a comeback for 2019.

And there is also a “personalised distance” too, in order to cater to those who feel that 3KM may be too long for them.

Return Of Empathy Run 

The Empathy Run is also making a return. 

This category is where runners can take on challenges to experience the everyday difficulties faced by Persons With Special Needs and includes the Blindfold Run, where runners run in pairs, with one of them guiding the other along while he or she runs blindfolded.

Registration Now Open

Registration for Run For Inclusion is now open and Early Bird rates are applicable till the end of April. The registration rates are as follows.

[See Table]

To sign up for Run For Inclusion 2019, visit https://runninghour.com/registration. 

“Sole Mates” Workshop

As well, taking place prior to the Run will also be “Sole Mates” which is an integration workshop programme that is supported by the Central Singapore CDC and aims to raise awareness on how to guide Persons With Special Needs in mainstream sports activities.

Held from 13 to 14 July at the Singapore Sports Hub Library, this workshop aims to promote friendships between members of the mainstream community and Persons With Special Needs communities, and workshop participants can also choose to partner up with a Persons With Special Needs participant during the Run For Inclusion.

This workshop is free and you can find out more about it here: https://runninghour.com/race.