Taking place on the morning of 9 September, the annual Yellow Ribbon Prison Run is a community engagement project put together by the Yellow Ribbon Project – which is spearheaded by the Community Action for the Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders Network.

Their aims are to give ex-offenders a second chance at life, thus inspiring a ripple effect of concerted community action in order to support ex-offenders and their families.

The Second Prison

This is because each year, more than 9,000 ex-offenders in Singapore finish their imprisonment and are released from the various prisons and drug rehabilitation centres across the country.

And it is quite disheartening that they have to continue to live with the stigma of having served time behind bars, upon their release. This can often be more punishing than the prison sentence itself and to the ex-offenders, it is like stepping into a second prison with invisible bars, suspicion, mistrust and discrimination.

This was why the Yellow Ribbon Project was initially established in 2004, to promote a more accepting society that is more willing to give ex-offenders a second chance at making good. 

As we let the ex-offenders out of the physical prison, we also need to help them to unlock the second prison by creating more acceptance in society for them, so that they do not relapse back into their criminal ways.

Taking part in the race on September 9

I will be participating in the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run again this year as a social media advocate. 

Taking place on September 9, the race will begin at the SAF Field near Changi Village and will finish inside the Changi Prison compounds itself. This is also one of the rare occasions whereby members of the public can walk or run straight into the prison… and then get out again, thus making the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run very unique.

And this will be my seventh consecutive Yellow Ribbon Prison Run event too since 2012 – and that was the race that had kick-started my running journey.

I believe in second chances

I continue to support the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run each year because it is a cause that I believe in. 

I feel that everyone should be given the chance to turn over a new leaf and to not be judged and stigmatised for their past mistakes.

Will form part of my tapering for the Berlin Marathon

The timing of the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run this year also could not be better; this is because I am taking part in, and have been training towards the Berlin Marathon in Germany, on 16 September. 

So with the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run happening on 9 September, the weekend before, this provides me with a great chance to do a final 10KM tempo run too as part of my tapering plan, as I gear towards the 42.195KM Marathon the following week.

As well, even though the Berlin Marathon will be flat, I have been incorporating some hill training into my regular running regime, because the Changi area, where the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run takes place, is notorious for its rolling hills and gentle slopes. 

 So I recommend all those who are running the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run, to train on some form of hills, as part of their preparation.

And also, 9 September happens to be my birthday too. So to have this opportunity to celebrate the occasion at such a meaningful event, has an added significance for me as well.

38 Special’s “Second Chance” Song

To motivate myself to run and train for the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run during these past few weeks, I have also been experimenting with, and listening to music to keep myself going, and one meaningful song that will put you into the mood, is 38 Special’s “Second Chance” song.

This particular song tells of a person who is begging for forgiveness and asking his girl to give him a second chance, after making the mistake of cheating on her.

Though the lyrics are talking about a relationship, I think that this song is also poignant for the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run and ex-convicts who are feeling stigmatised by society will be able to identify with it.

And when I checked out the lyrics, I found that this particular verse is especially meaningful:

All I made was one mistake

How much more will I have to pay

Why can’t you think it over

Why can’t you forget about the past

Walk-in race registration available this weekend

Inspired? If you have not yet registered for the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run, I have some good news for you – you can still take part in the race.

This is because during the race entry pack collection this coming weekend at Suntec City, there will be walk-in registrations on sale. This will be your last chance to take part in this meaningful race and support second chances.

So what are you waiting for? See you there on 9 September.