Olympic Dream 2007 Ability Challenge 20 km

Today was the Olympic Dream 2007 Ability Challenge "Around the world in one day" held at Toa Payoh Stadium. The event was to raise funds for the Singapore participants of the Beijing 2008 parlympics. The challenge was to have as many people as possible run 100,000 laps around the stadium. For running 10 laps, a person was entitled to a certificate. For those who ran 50 laps (equivalent to 20 km) the prize was an exclusive medal. Of course I wanted it. But could I do it? I had never run 20 km before.But I wanted to try....

I woke up at 5.30 am this morning and reached Toa Payoh at 6.40. It was still very dark when i arrived... The scene outside Toa Payoh stadium when i arrived.

I met up with my club members before the race. Here is a photo of us before the race. This phot was taken at the Toa payoh Sports Hall about 20m further down the road.Uncle Yeow, Aunty Wendy, Uncle Chua, Uncle Kalai, Aunty Cindy, Uncle Hei were there when i came. I was beginning to feel very excited.

At 7. 05 am all of us entered the stadium. We caught up with Uncle Malik, Uncle Han Wee, Aunty Roda, Aunty Josephine, Uncle Tan... A photo of us just before we started at 7.30.

The guest of honour (GOH)was Parlimentary Secretary,MCYS, Teo Ser Luck.He came in at 7 am

and there was a dance segment. Then it was time for the flag off by the (GOH). At the same time it was the start of the 12 hour record continuous relay run by JJC and ACJC. Till 7.30 pm

There were also wheelchair racing.

But what made me very happy that day was that when we started running, i found Mr Teo Ser Luck running beside me. (below) He was surprised to find a young boy running so he started asking questions like how old i was, my name, what school i was studying, the club i was in. He then told me that he had been running since he was a young boy too. I really enjoyed running beside him. He also has no airs about him. I ran something like 7 ? laps with him before he left. At every 100m there wwere students cheering him on. It was thrilling. Wish he didn't have to leave so early. He seems a nice guy.

The time was now after 9 am and it was getting really hot. The weather was fine and i was sweating profusely . But I still had not achieved the required 50 laps. i wanted to quit after 24 laps (= 24 rubberbands, one given for every lap run)but the thought of my club members getting the medal ( plus my cjc running mates who also came running - Rueben, Yong Chao, Calvin, Nicholas and Clement)made me push on. But i was feeling very tired...

But i finally made it. At that time it was almost 10 am. I had been running for more than 2 hours. Oh dear!! How to run the Army Half Marathon next month ?

For my hard work i was rewarded with this certificate. I had made it! ! I filled up a form with my particulars and the organisers said that they would mail the medal to me. I am looking forward to receiving it. The organisers also gave away many bottles of NEWATER and raisins from the sponsors.

This is the offical brochure. I enjoyed myself but i was very tired. It is not easy to run round and round the stadium. For long distances, i would like to run on the road. But this project was for charity so i don't mind. Hopefully not too soon again in the near future. ..

I learnt that most of it was mental and i am glad that i was able to represent my club for a charitable cause. All the best to our paralympians for Bejing 2008 paralympics. I am sure you will do our country proud!!