The Race Against Cancer (RAC) is annual event which I have supported since my mum’s diagnosis with Glioblastoma, an aggressive type of brain cancer.

The second virtual edition

Nobody should fight cancer alone. So RAC exists to make a statement against cancer, to minimise cancer and maximise lives. The event invites people from all walks of life to join the fight and run or walk alongside those who are impacted by cancer.

The 2021 edition is the second edition of the event to go fully virtual, due to the Covid-19 pandemic which put a halt to all mass events since the beginning of 2020 until now.

I joined the 42km category

Taking place from 18th – 26th September this year, participants had a choice of four virtual race categories, 5km, 10km, 21km and 42km, and can complete their chosen distance in either one or multiple activities within the race period, at any location of their choice.

I joined the 42km category as a team, with four friends – Damaris, Renee, Martin and Stuart. This meant that each of us had to individually complete 42km within the nine-day race period.

Besides the running element, three was also a fundraising element, with participants being required to reach a minimum sum of money depending on their distance category. 

For the 42km category, this was $60 per runner. So with five members, our team had to raise a total of $300. We’re pleased that we managed to surpass this initial goal by more than ten times the amount ($3,387). Thank you so much again to everyone who made a donation.

Running was done in batches

For the running, I didn’t do the distance in one go. I did it in more manageable batches throughout the nine days, running an average of about 10km each time.

My runs

Most of my runs were around my neighbourhood at Marine Parade as well as East Coast Park. 

However there was also a track workout included, done at the Kallang Practice Track, as well as a 10km run at Sentosa on the final day of the clocking period, in order to shake up the locations a bit and make things more interesting. I am a regular runner, so the running part was pretty manageable for me, and breaking it down definitely helped to make it less mentally draining.

I completed the 42km in good time. 

App worked seamlessly

With the RAC race web app connecting automatically to Strava, it was easy to upload the runs; upon the initial connection and granting of permission with the Strava running app to share data with RAC website, my run sessions were detected and uploaded automatically by the system, which meant that I did not need to do anything myself. 

As well, I use Strava anyway for my own sessions, so this process was very fuss-free and convenient for me. I didn’t really need to think anymore about it after connecting my Strava, which was a seamless, less than one-minute process.

My running buddies also completed their runs/walks in good time. With a WhatsApp group to remind each other as well as to exchange banter, I am happy to report that all of my team mates had no difficulties doing and uploading their sessions. 

WhatsApp group and coffee catch-ups

Even though we didn’t do the actual running together due to differences in running paces, the WhatsApp group helped to connect us and this made it feel as though we were ‘running’ together, albeit spiritually.

We did catch up with each other for physical coffee and banter at the East Coast Park Starbucks – groups of five pax were allowed for dine-ins during the race dates.

Fun, but I still miss physical events

With a team to run with, the virtual RAC was a fun and lively experience this time around and I must say that even though I enjoyed it, I would love to see the physical RAC event back in 2022, in the on-ground format that we used to know it. I miss physical running events and I hope they make a comeback soon.