This morning was the Singapore Bay Run. It was formerly known as the Safra Sheares Bridge Run aand Army Half Marathon. I woke up at 4.30 am as the 12 km men's open was held at 7 am in town.
The scene at 6 am in the morning. Surprisingly the area was full of activity. The Marina bay area was brightly lit as they also were having a carnival at the same time.
I had to walk to the start area which was 200m away from the finish area which was across the road from Marina Promenade.
The view from the start line. It was about 6.30 am then.
My number tag. We also used the championship to take the timing electronically.
About 6.45 am there was a fringe activity. We were entertained by the stilt walkers.
They were dressed up as olden day european characters.
As time went by more and more participants arrived . The area was becoming crowded.
A view of the Fullerton Hotel across the road. My father was involved in the design of the structures in the refurbished hotel.
It was 7.05 am and the day had dawned bby the race started late. We were actually running on connaught drive and the sign said road closed.
The race finally started at 7. 10 am when the MCDS minister, Dr Balakrishnan appeared. Here you can see him ( in yellow running vest) preparsing to set his watch.
The race was flagged of by Parlimentary Secretary Assoc Prof Koo Tsai Kee.
After the flag off...
I started running. The route took me down shenton way, then turned onto ECP at Maxwell Road. I ran up Sheares Bridge. Then ran all the way to Fort Road, turned left into Nicoll Highway. Ran until we reached marina Bay and onto the floating platform where the national day parade was held.
Here is a view of the merlion park.
taken opposite from marina bay. merlion . Singapore is actually from a malay word singapura -singa meaning lion and purs meaning city. so singapore means lion city. So the lion represents singapore.
This is the esplanade - teatres by the bay. It also known locally as 'durian' for its similarity to one of singapore's favourite fruits.
The dome in the distance is the Singapore Supreme Court.
The view at the finishing point - the site of the NDP floating platform.
Singapore flyer in the early morning sky when dawn is just breaking.
Another view of the Singapore flyer in the background. The waters are so calm at the bay.
The runners who came in after running the half marathon. Most of them are army men. There was also another fringe event that day- Waterfest by the Bay. This event started later - at 10 am.
It was also held at the same area, the NDP grounds.
The floating platform at the bay... My fathers said the technology to build the platform is the same as that for building offshore oil rigs. The floating platform was easier to build as there was very little tidal current and it was also built very close to the shore. Nevertheless, it is still very well done and very impressive. Wow!!
The waterfest carinival started later so the carnival stalls are still empty.
The finish line ... I finished the race in 69 min. This was the first time i had run a 12 km race so i was satisfied with my time.
The stage...
If you look closer on the bridge you will find hundreds of people running/ walking up the bridge as there was a 12km and 6 km fun runs after mine.. It was reported that 70, 000 people participated in this event....
The crowd after the finish line....
Cups of 100 plus were given out after the race...
The army medical tents. many medical personnel were on stand by.
Free massages were given out after the race so i went to have mine too... It felt better after the rub...
In my goodie bag there was:
1. Men's Health July 2007 issue
2. Eagle brand Capsicum plaster
3. Lucky Draw Coupon
4. 30% discount off reebok products voucher
My Sheares Bay run t-shirt.
Till my next run....