Jurong Lake Run 2011, 10 July 2011

Pic Taken by Ronald Heng at the Finish Line


Teamed up with the SAFRA Jurong Running Club to take part in this 10km event, taking place for the 1st time in Jurong Lake vicinity.

Didn't know the earliest MRT would be quite late, so we took a cab to the baggage area in Taman Jurong area, near the Start Point.  Bumped into Jason Loh from KL, who came here specially to do this event (and he did 1hr 25min for his half marathon at the recent StanChart KL Marathon on 26 June 2011).





Here's Jason Loh, up & coming star in the running scene! He completed this event in 5th placing in the Junior category, with a timing of 38:43








Overlooked the need to show my bib before i can deposit my bag.. haha.. so had to walk back towards the entrance to Chinese Garden to get my bib from Trevor Lee 1st... by then we didn't feel like going back to the Baggage Deposit area, so we just left it with Eng Hwa at the SAFRA Jurong Running Club booth (membership does has its privileges!).  Had  a quick trip to the toilet before jogging to the start line.

It was 15 mins to the start and yet it was already packed at the Start Line. Oh well, glad we were in the opposite direction, so we just slotted ourselves in at the 4th or 5th row, but at the side. and hanged in there for about 10mins or so.  Whilst the Emcee entertained us, we waited for the VIPs to flag us off.  Lo & behold, i saw Yam Ah Mee hopping up to the stage to flag us off..always so bubbly :) nice to see him after so many years but i don't think he remembers me back in PSD :)

Once the air horns were blasted, the front pack immediately surged ahead.. i had no choice but to follow, or risk being pushed.. and indeed not far ahead, i saw a young boy on the floor, who must have fallen.. he seemed alright..a strong young boy.

Just kept at a comfortable, not too hard pace as i knew i wouldn't sustain for long.. managed to keep to about 4:00 to 4:15min/km pace.  As this was a new route i was running, just wanted to take in the sights but yet not running at too easy a pace.  Starting at the front sure was a good idea as it reduces congestion.  Ran behind Sumiko Tan & another lady (very familiar at local races) for a distance before she stepped down her gear.. and i gradually moved ahead... and Sallehan zoomed ahead!! hahaha amazing, like a cheetah leaving me biting dust.  Kept him in sight even as he moved ahead, picking up the pace.. but i slowly gained on him.. and as i caught up, i shouted at him to keep going!  Which he did.  And even after he paused for a drink stop and i didn't, he still managed to overtake me yet again, attesting to his never give up attitude!  And i kept up with him all the way and he crossed the Finish Line just a few seconds ahead of me.  Well done Bro!  Keep Strong!  My finish time was about 42:07 and the distance showed 10.3km on my watch.

Km Laps
1km - 3:55
2km - 4:01
3km - 4:01
4km - 4:01
5km - 4:08
6km - 4:10
7km - 4:09
8km - 4:16
9km - 4:17
10km - 4:10

Here's Sallehan.  Well done bro!












After the finish, i requested for 2 cans of 100Plus and walked around, in the search for my friends.  Met Michele Tan who came in not long after, then others such as Freddy Yeoh, Melvin How, Jieshi, Stella,.. Walked towards the Finish Line, saw Sumiko and walked with her a bit.  Well done to her despite an ultra just 2 weeks back & being unwell the past days.  Then i saw my wife chatting with Chantelle & Siok Leng.

Glad to have met many friends here, and even those who took part in the Banana Relay, such as Andrew Parker, Samuel Ang, etc.  Spotted a lot of photographers along the course too!  Many thanks for being out in the hot weather to support us!

Went to the SAFRA Jurong Running Club booth, where we had food for us, mee/beehoon, fruits and drinks and we had a ball of a time chatting with friends, and making new ones.  The Club then had a birthday celebration for those born in Jun & Jul.  And i was appointed by Hui Ping to cut one of the cakes for distribution to the rest of the members. Hanged around a while, and a fellow friend from Facebook spotted me (we've never met before), Franz C.  Had a nice chat with him and he mentioned about going for Tokyo Marathon next year..hmm, tempting :)

Finally, our booth wrapped up at about 10.30am.  We then went for lunch at Clementi before heading home for 2nd half.. housework!!!  hahaa

See you next year at Jurong Lake Run!

Glad to have come here for this amazing experience.