It was a beautiful Sunday morning. The skies were clear and there was a light breeze in the air. As the sun gently rose, the runners made their way to the start point with a skip in their steps. They had every reason to do so. The 8,500 participants, decked in the bright red tee, were running for a good cause. They were racing against cancer.
This was the 4th SingTel and Singapore Cancer Society Race Against Cancer (RAC 2012). The race drew a record number of participants this year and raised a total of $700,000 for direct cancer programme and services. Just to put this into context, cancer is the number one killer in Singapore. 1 in 4 Singaporeans lose the race against cancer and 12 people lose their lives to cancer every day. This makes the race much more meaningful to those who racing in their lives or know someone who has raced against cancer. Let’s not give up!
RAC 2012 featured two competitive categories, the 10km and 15km competitive runs, and a 5km Fun Run. As with all races, sometimes, it is all about the runner and the experience. Everybody is a winner at the finishing line.
A new 10km competitive Corporate Team Challenge was also introduced this year. Corporations can submit teams of five or more runners. The top three prizes go to the teams with the shortest accumulated timing from the best five runners. This is a good way to get companies involved and for the staff to enjoy an active bonding time outside office. It is encouraging to know that more than 100 companies participated in this.
All three running routes started and ended at Angsana Green, making it a lively race event site. The race routes were well planned out, all the runners only had to do one loop. Cheryl Lim, first-time participant, commended the organisers for getting the logistics right.
“Great race with many water points. The MC was able to get everybody psyched up and into the mood. I love the fact that I am running for a cause.”
However, she did add that perhaps the route could have been done in the opposite direction so the runners would not be running into the sun for the second half of the race.
Nonetheless, as the running culture grows in Singapore, it is extremely heart warming that Singaporeans are running for a cause. More than 120 cancer patients, cancer survivors and their families joined the run.
This SingTel & Singapore Cancer Society Race Against Cancer gives new meaning to running.
