The 2016 edition of the Lunghi Run flagged off last weekend at the Road Safety Community Park, East Coast Park Carpark B2 and it had comprised of two distances, an 8km and a 4km run; both categories were non-competitive ones.
Now into its fourth edition this year, the Lunghi Run requires runners to wear a Lunghi or a Sarong to complete the race. This is a traditional garment worn around the waist in the Indian, Malay and Peranakan cultures in Singapore.
A warm-up dance before the run.
Idea had come about from the music video ‘Lunghi Dance’
According to the Lunghi Run organisers, the idea of the race had come along by chance, after watching a viral Bollywood music video entitled “Lunghi Dance”, the idea of running with Lunghi had come to their minds.
And so with Singapore’s multi-ethnic culture, they thought that it would be a fun experience for all the races in Singapore.
A congregation of Lunghi runners.
An interesting experience for the runners
The runners who had been taking part in the event, had found the running in a Lunghi, to be an rather interesting and novel experience.
Runners flag off.
Said Kate Gray, 45, a stay-at-home mum, “This is my first time running in a Lunghi and it was very hot! It’s actually more difficult to run in this, compared to wearing normal running attire.”
Agreed Melissa Ann Loke, 34, a business development manager, “Well it’s an interesting experience and not easy to run in a Lunghi; it was a bit cumbersome. Compared to running in shorts, it’s tougher because you get some resistance.”
And off they go!
Wearing the Lunghi to run, was also a challenge for Nel Tulsiani, 44, a retail administrator, who said, “It was tougher than normal running – the Lunghi felt warm and the movements were a bit restrictive. But then again, it’s something different and unique.”
For Matthew Price, 39, the Lunghi had served a useful purpose… it helped to dry off his sweat! He said, “It was my first time running in a Lunghi… it was useful to dry my sweat! But compared to running in normal attire, it was not that different.”
Runners along the route.
Had a great time at the run
He continued, “I had a great time today and it was lots of fun. The run was nice and the weather was great. I also loved the dance warm-up routine before the run.”
Smile!
The warm up session, together with a special dance routine, had been the collaboration of both Nuevo Dance fitness and Amokfit – to get runners psyched up for the run.
Added Gray, “I loved the dancing.”
Running is fun!
Proceeds set to go to charity
After the run, there was the presentation of a cheque to the Singapore Red Cross Society – all proceeds from the Lunghi Run 2016 went to this charity, to help to fund their work both in Singapore as well as overseas.
Bananas for the runners.
According to the organisers, the decision to help this charity came about because Singapore’s Red Cross members can be seen often cycling at East Coast Park, ready to render assistance and aid whenever necessary.
Lots of food and celebrations post-run
Never too young to be introduced to running!
Runners then had the opportunity to tuck into a wide assortment of post-run celebratory food, including three large cream cakes to celebrate the birthday of the November babies.
Mother and child run hand in hand.
Runners had a fantastic time at the event. Said Sanmuga Rathinam, 48, an IT trainer, “This was my first time running with the kids and I was taking it easy and pushing the pram. It was also the first-ever running medal for my kid and he’s so happy about that! The food and water provided was great and this is a really nice place to be running; it’s so scenic and the weather was cooling.”
Added Loke, “Everything was great, with plenty of refreshments and entertainment.”
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