Held at one of the most beautiful stretches of nature reserve in Singapore, the 2016 edition of the 10.5km Green Corridor Run was staged – beginning at the historic Tanjong Pagar Rail Station and ending at the old Bukit Timah Rail Station.
Green Corridor Run 2016 attracted plenty of runners.
But apart from simply running 10.5km and getting close to nature though, the Green Corridor Run had also been in support of the annual World Water Day, which takes place on 22 March.
So runners had been encouraged to carry about three to five litres of water inside buckets or jerry cans all the way from the starting line to the finishing line.
Green Corridor Run took its participants from Tanjong Pagar Rail Station to Bukit Timah Rail Station.
Event was taking place for the final time
As the Green Corridor area was scheduled to be closed off to the public for redevelopment works after the race, this event had been taking place for the final time. As such, it had been a no-brainer for me to sign up for this race, and run through this beautiful area of Singapore – for the final time.
Runners posing for a photo before the race begins.
I had been in the first wave, beginning at 8.00am, so I took the bus down to the Tanjong Pagar Rail Station just before seven in the morning. I gathered this this would have allowed me time to catch my breath at the race site before making my way down to the starting pen.
There had been four waves altogether at the race – besides my wave, the other ones had been scheduled to flag off at 8.20am, 8.40am and 9.00am respectively.
A runner and her adorable dog.
Waiting for flag-off
As well, I also caught up with some friends at the event site, and we walked towards the starting pen together at about half past seven – to wait for the official flag-off. It got pretty hot and sweaty inside the starting pen, but then again, this was just reflecting Singapore’s humid weather.
But soon enough, 8.00am came and it was time for the race to actually start. I think this was the moment that everyone had been waiting for.
Runners heading towards the starting pen.
Admiring the natural beauty of the Green Corridor trails
I have run through the Green Corridor trails before, but I have never failed to be amazed by the beauty of this natural piece of land. Even though the trails are right in the middle of the city, I always get the feeling that I am not running in Singapore – whenever I am here. To me, trail running is truly a way to escape from the stress of city life and getting closer to nature.
As such I would say that I pretty much enjoyed the run, despite the heat and humidity which had started to get to me, already from the first few kilometres of the race.
A thirsty runner grabbing a cup of water from the hydration station.
Though I might have felt a minor case of slight discomfort in my lower stomach last night when I had been trying to get some sleep before the race, this still hadn’t been enough to stop me from enjoying the Green Corridor with its natural beauty.
I also stopped along the way a few times, to take some pictures so that I could still remember the Green Corridor in its natural state – in years to come.
The Green Corridor is indeed beautiful.
Other runners also loved the race
Other runners also felt the same way as me about the natural beauty of their surroundings, as well as the race itself.
Exhausted runners crossing the finishing line.
Said Ken Chattaway, 66, a Construction Project Manager, “It was really good, running off the roads and through areas that I had never expected to see in Singapore – very different to running on the streets and seeing all the houses and HDB blocks.”
We ended the run at the old Bukit Timah Railway Station.
Added Ryan Tarpine, 30, a Sales Engineer, “I had a great time and I thought the scenery was a lot nicer than running in the city – I normally run in the Marina Bay area. It’s so amazing that they have such a long, beautiful track in Singapore – I was pleasantly surprised to see it, and I really enjoyed myself.”
Disappointed that the Corridor is set to be closed for redevelopment
Resting on the Bukit Timah Railway tracks after my run.
As such, some runners who took part in the event, including me, had therefore felt quite disappointed that the Green Corridor is scheduled to be closed to the public – for redevelopment works after this morning’s race.
Said Yeow Lai Boon, 50, Sales Representative, “It’s sad to see the Green Corridor closed for renovation – due to the fact that this is as close as you can get to running through a natural environment in Singapore.”
The medal is beautiful and unique.
He added, “After renovation if they can recreate this type of atmosphere amidst modern infrastructure, then it would be a success. Otherwise another beautiful piece of nature is lost.”
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