World Harmony Run - Longer Version

World Harmony Run on 18th June 05

It was not a good start of the day when rains, lightning and thunder appearing around 4-5am while I am still cozy tucked in bed.

My sweetheart traveled with me to Macritchie Reservior as i need her to drive the car back. I picked up Yew Quan around 6am at Bedok and reach Macritchie slightly before 6:15am. The ground was damp from the earlier downpour and dark.

The turnout wasn’t as great as anticipated due to the earlier rain. In fact all my colleagues that had agreed to come for the run, none shown up. Well, the heart wasn’t there, who could blame them.

Darkness slowly turn bright and the ominous darkness, that threaten had dispersed. Slowly runners taking part in the run have trooped in. Familiar faces are seemed, as those actually turns up are “hardcore” runners. In fact I have joined some of them in public runs.

Yew Quan must be damn hungry going around looking for breakfast, which I have informed him earlier, there is none in this area. Haha….must be one hungry boy. Two of the runners that I recruited XuanJun and Shiyao finally shown up.

I picked up the core runners running singlet and alarmed at the poor quality. One of those “panda” brand from china. If given a choice I doubt anyone would wear it. Mine seems like a size too small as well….haha…

The VIP, Eunice Olsen(NMP) turn up as scheduled and give everyone a speech. Really couldn’t recall what she said. But she is dead gorgeous. Make me so shy to move closer to her. The worst is that my digital camera is having problem. Can’t take good pictures. Sigh…aiyoh lent it to my brother-in-law and he must have make some changes to the settings. So sad.

After the speech and lightning of the flame torch, the run is off for a 4.8km run in Macritchie Reservior with the mass run. My quick calculation we have more than 50+ runners taking part leading by Team A of the core runners.

I am part of Team B of the core runners and I waited at the entrance at the carpark for the Team A members to come back. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw team A running back to the carpark, drenched with perspiration. I thought it will be a controlled run, but didn’t realised they (team A) have decided a duel is in place.

The road run started off around 8:25am. I was the first person to handle the torch and run on the road. Abit unused to the attention I am getting…hehe…. First stop Kong Meng San at Sing Ming(4km away). Along the way we have a few bikers, an ambulance, a van, plus the minibus escorting us along the way. At this early, the pace was pretty okay, as everyone is still very fresh. We reach Kong Meng San earlier than anticipated. We take a short breather before proceed to the 4th level of the temple, where we meet a monk and given prayer in front of the Buddha.

It was interesting for some folks as they have not been into this temple or any Chinese temple before. Sukami is pretty excited and keep on snapping his camera-phone away.

We rested for a while, taking drinks and have a short briefing before we proceed to Salvation Army which is about 300 metres away. When we reached Salvation Army, we were too early and the spoke person have not arrived for work yet…hmmm….and we take this opportunity for a rest, photo taking sessions, plus some makan(carrot cake) session. I spoke to Thiang Beng(Coordinated for World Harmony Run), we need to change the strategy for the road run. Those that can run will run, those that are tired can take the minibus to next stop and joined us later. This was gratefully accepted by runners. I took the opportunity to marvel at the runners around. A strange phenomenal is that the good runners are “senior” runners. I feel so shy to keep asking them to slow down later, while the youngest have problem catching up with them…damn malu….

After prayers to God and give grace for World Harmony by the spoken person for Salvation Army, we proceed to go for the 3rd stop at Ceylon Sports Club(6.5km away). This time round, the strong and weak runners are exposed for the first time. I have to repeat remind those runners in front to slow down as the gaps between the groups are furthering apart. No choice lah, myself is not fast runner, just somewhere just behind the front group. Want to talk also have to see whether have the strength to speak or not. Haha…..

Finally we arrived at Ceylon Sports Club and was offered COLD 100plus…which was a relieved and glad that Ceylon offers “holy” water at this HOT weather. We are joined with 2 more core runners which are not only FAST, but a boxer as well. I believed the Vice-President of the Sports Club give us a speech before we are off to Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple (<1km away) leads by a member of Ceylon Sports Club senior member (I think). He did pretty decent and we were welcome a distance away by some members of the temple and we run together to the temple.

At the temple, a priest welcomes and brings us into the temple. It is pretty new to me inside the temple; there are lots of devotees in the temple and the priest give us a blessing and we are off to the next stop. The mid way point, Civil Service Club, which is about 300 metres away. The weather is getting hotter, but I am looking forward to the rest point.

Didn’t realised that Civil Service Club is until I step inside. Pretty interesting to see a club house with the full set of facilities and activities. We are offered to use the bathing facilities, but who wants to bath and wear back the same stinking clothes. I just take off my shoe, socks to dry it under the sun, while I walk barefoot around. Haha…we rest, have buffet and some took a good sleep. Especially Yew Quan, every now and then also see him sleep…really suited his NICK…haha….

Few core runners packed up for the day as they have prior appointment, whereas one is not feeling well and decided to call it a day. Anyway around 12:45pm, we proceed to Central Sikh Temple(300 metres away) as our next destination. At this moment, quite a few runners have decided to save up for the last leg(10km) and take the minibus instead, which is a wise choice.

At the Sikh Temple, we are greeted by a group of veteran members of the community. We have to wear headdress to enter the temple, which is very interesting. I love the pictures on the wall of the temple. It is very education but I have no idea what it meant though I do love to know. Yew Quan fool around with the headdress which make him look like a “red riding hood” which is a amusing sight…hahaha…. We are offer “mee goereng” , and hot ginger tea. The tea is good despite the HOT, STICKY day so far.

Next stop, Masjid Darul Aman Mosque(4.5km away), which is going to be a tough trip. The weather and the body(forget to mentioned that my heart rate is very high for the entire day) will be taking abit of pounding. Fortunately, my heart rate decides to slow down after going “high” for the last few hours. I actually feel good during this stretch of run. The hot weather really takes a toll on most people, but I feel okay.

Just before the Mosque, the runners have to swoop place with those in minibus as those entering the temple, have to wear pants. The rest of us sit outside for a rest, while the ceremony begins inside.

Joo Chiat Community Centre is 2.5km away. A short run? Well, thinking back, I cant recall much about that stretch of run, except that we saw a voluptuous young ledy cycling and really boost every runners morale, except maybe yogi(lady), which have a good laugh....hehe…

We are greeted by MP for Joo Chiat and grassroot members at the Community Centre. The Press was there as well, photos taken and “great” speeches as well. We stayed for a while before we proceed to Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple about 200 meters again. MP(Mr Chan) take the torch and jog towards the temple, the poor photographer, have to cheong and jog with us to take pictures and panting…haha…

The temple is beautiful. Apart from blessing, we were given a tour around the temple and understand the history as well. This is the 2nd last stop before Merlion Park (10km away). The rest of the runners came down from the minibus and go for broke (last stretch).

It was a long and hot run to Merlion Park. It was an enjoyable indeed knowing this is the finishing apart….well 30km isn’t a short distance. Morale is high as we inches forward to the end point.

Slightly after 4pm we reached our destination. It was a relieved sight for everyone to manage to complete the route. The feeling is great despite the hot weather and the smelly OB….haha…..

Thanks all runners that took part, the organiser & all folks that make this event a successful completion. I enjoy the experience. WELL DONE everyone.