Race Review: Shape Run 2015

The 2015 edition of Singapore’s first-ever organised women’s run – the Shape Run, took place early this morning at the Kallang Practice Track. This year, it comprised of a brand new 15km category. As well, it also had its usual 5km and 10km categories and a 1.8km Family Fun Run.

Shape Run 2015 flags off!
Photo by: Shape Singapore.

I took part in the new 15km category – to try out the route. So this meant that I had to be at the Kallang Practice Track before 6.00am – the time that the race flagged off.

I was still feeling slightly sleepy when I got to the starting line at about 5.52am – after dropping my bag off and hanging around with some friends. But the lively music and bubbly emcees helped me to stay pretty much awake – with their very lively warm-up exercise routine. Soon enough, 6.00am came and the race was ready to be flagged off.

Plenty of hydration for runners.

When I crossed the starting line, I took off in a slow jog. Due to the early starting time, I found the weather to be cool and breezy, but slightly humid though.

Pacers at Shape Run definitely do start young!

Took us through iconic landmarks

The city race route took us through several iconic landmarks in Singapore, such as Nicoll Highway, the Singapore Flyer and the Singapore Sports Hub. The scenery was pretty, but unfortunately, it wasn’t too bright, so I couldn’t really see that much around me due to the early hour.

Shape Run route was a scenic one.

The race route itself however, was pretty hilly and there were quite a few slopes along the way. At the beginning I was running up these slopes because I still had lots of energy. But towards the end I gave up and decided to walk up the slopes – so that I could save some energy to cross the finishing line.

Happy Shape Run pacers on the go!

Saw the sunrise

Roughly about three quarters of the way into my race, I saw the sunrise – and that was a real bonus. Though it may not have been as brilliant as I would have hoped, probably because I wasn’t at the right location then, it was still quite a sight, with the rising sun bathing the sky in brilliant red hues. I lapped it all up and it helped me to take my mind off the running.

Runners trying their luck at a free lottery from one of the sponsor booths.

Sufficient hydration points

For the hydration points, these were spaced out about every two to three kilometres so my liquid intake was well taken care of. Taking short trips to the hydration points were definitely good to get a little breather from running. I wished that the beverages could have been colder though – they seemed to have been prepared and served to us at room temperature.

Runners taking a well-deserved breather after their race.

The finishing line itself was back at the Kallang Practice Track and when I saw it straight up ahead, I burst into a sprint for the final 200 to 300 metres. Upon crossing the finishing arch, I felt relieved that I could finally enjoy the post-race carnival.

My finish at Shape Run 2015! (Credit: Lim Soo Khuan)

A Fun Post-Race Carnival

And at the carnival, there was definitely a lot for me to see and do. This seems to be the case for a number of women’s runs in Singapore. There were free samples of Special K cereal and complimentary buns on offer at the various sponsor booths. There were also cute sponsor mascots for us to take photos with. These included the two eyeballs from the BRAND’S InnerShine people and the XXXXXXXL-sized running shoe from Skechers. Some photo booths were also available for runners to take pictures at – and these were definitely popular amongst the participants at the event.

In front of the Shape Run finishing arch.

Items such as the Special K cereals and sanitary pads could also be purchased at discounted prices on race day this morning. And throughout the event, a lively emcee was keeping the runners entertained with a variety of games, performances and sharing sessions by gym experts.

A runner checks out some new shoes for herself.

The queues at these booths were manageable at the beginning when I had finished my running, but as the morning wore on, I noticed that the lines had began to grow longer and longer – as more came back from their runs. But it was still fun – and I stayed on for a while, to soak in the festivities and catch up with a few friends, before I left the race site.