Sundown Marathon 2010 - 10K

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29 May 2010 - This is my first time participating in the Sundown Marathon.  Together with some friends, we signed up for the 10K event.  Since there weren't any 10K category for men, the guys in the group had to form a team to participate in the team event (4 x 10k)  :) 

The event was fairly well organized. There were prominent distance markers along the route. Drink stations were provided every 2 - 3 kms.  I think there were more drink stations here than in the 2009 Stanchart marathon (10k). 

There were also ample parking spaces located near the event and I had no problem looking for a parking lot. However, you had to adhere strictly to the road closure timings or you will be stuck in traffic for many hours.  A friend of mine had to pay $40 for cab fare because the cab was stuck in traffic had to make a detour due to road closure ! 

Perhaps the biggest complaint about the event was the inaccessibility of the location.  There were no public transport and the shuttle buses from Pasir Ris Mrt were insufficient.  I noticed many of the participants for the women 10K arrived just in time and a lot were late.  Many of them complained about the inadequate shuttle bus service.

10K runners were also stuck after their runs as the roads were closed from 8.40pm to 10:30pm.  The ladies 10K started at 7pm while the team 10K at 7:30pm. You can imagine how many runners were stranded after their runs.

Stranded 10K runners waiting for the road to re-open 
and the shuttle bus service to resume

Running in the night was a new experience for me - no Sun, cooler but just as humid.  There wasn't much to see along the road as it was dark. Certain parts of the road wasn't even lighted.  The route was almost completely flat, making it easy to run.  As usual, i completed the run drenched in my own perspiration, but i recovered rather quickly and there were no aches the day after .. so i can say, this was a good run :)

I would also like to congratulate my friend Ms Brenda Ong for completing the Sundown Marathon 84K in 14 Hrs ! Well done Bren, i am so proud of you.  Congrats and well done.  You were already my "oh xiang" (idol) in school ... now u are now officially my idol outside school too !


10K finishers :)

on the back of some marathon runner ...


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