Fun Run Runners: Why Did They Join?

Have you ever thought of joining your favourite movie or cartoon characters in any running event?

Novelty runs or fun themed running events have been common in recent years, especially after a movie box-office or to commemorate an anniversary of a popular anime or cartoon character.

Although a serious runner might not consider fun running events as a true running event, such races do have their appeal to the other type of audience.

Participating in an untimed fun run could be a great bonding session with your children and family as there are usually fun activities after and/or before the run.

What is a fun run?

A fun run is an untimed running event involving either road running or cross country running usually with a race distance of no more than 5km.

Normally, a fun run could be used to raise funds for a cause, with sponsors supplying the revenue to cover the administrative costs. Fun runs can include new categories such as wearing costumes, and age categories for children, teenagers, and age groups.

Tips to make your fun run serious

• You will need to train to run 2 to 3 kms non stop or 15 to 20 minutes non-stop. It is recommended to run at least three times a week.
• Try to do more during the week than just running. Add one day of sprint training, with a much higher intensity, which could mean a shorter duration. Think 4 or 5, 1 km of sprints with 2 to 3 minutes of rest in between for one training session.
• Map your run, aim for a PB for your fun run.

Today we are happy to talk to 6 runners to understand their fun running journey.

1. Tan Si Ling

Bio: 31 year-old Singaporean, Administrative

Joining fun runs are also like a get together and spend time with friends and families.

RS: Why do you join fun runs?

Si Ling: Fun runs are happy runs! There isn’t much stress of competing with a good timing. I can even Cosplay or dress up for the fun runs as well! Joining fun runs are also like a get together and spend time with friends and families.

RS: What’s the appeal of fun runs to you?

Si Ling: For fun runs, mostly there’s no timing chip, so time isn’t recorded. Some runs even have games/activities and photo spots or characters/mascots along the route for photo opportunities. Taking The Color Run, for example, you would want to stop, play with the colour powder and snap some pretty shots!

RS: Do you train for fun run?

Si Ling: Personally, I felt that fun run doesn’t need training at all as the distance of fun run is usually about 5km and cut off time is usually not that short. But I’m running regularly for 4 to 5 times a week whether or not if there are any fun runs or competitive runs coming up.

RS: How much are you willingly to pay for a fun run?

Si Ling: Between S$50 to S$70 depending on the distance, theme and entitlements.

RS: What are the entitlements that you care the most?

Si Ling: Design of the medals and event tee or singlet! I love to collect medals and even after the events I still wear the event tee or singlet as well.

RS: What factor of the fun run matters the most to you?

Si Ling: Theme

You can follow Si Ling on Instagram: @runaholic_ling

2. Juana Lee

Bio: 46 year-old Singaporean, Executive Secretary

Juana is a working mother of two, and have been running since 2012. She runs for a healthier lifestyle, and for some peaceful time for herself. Running has been her therapy for everything since then. Juana’s endurance and confident level have improved drastically since she started running. However, she is not looking to be better than anyone, instead she just wants to run for as long as she can, by running safe and injury free.

Each medal has a story or memory of its own.

RS: Why do you join fun runs?

Juana: Less competitive and for all runners to mingle. A fun run means having lots of fun while running. An activity I love to do with all my running friends, not bothering by timing and creating memories along the way.

RS: Do you train for fun run?

Juana: I don’t. Because to me, the fun run is meant to be short and fun, less competitive, more like a party for runners from all walks of life. Hence, just enjoy the good vibes and the camaraderie and complete the run stress free.

RS: How much are you willingly to pay for a fun run?

Juana: Anything less than S$60.

RS: What are the entitlements that you care the most?

Juana: Medals. I collect medals. Each medal has a story or memory of its own.

RS: What factor of the fun run matters the most to you?

Juana: Theme and distance. Short and fun.

You can follow Juana on Instagram: @jubelici0us

3. Chris Sim

Bio: 32 year-old Singaporean, Engineering Manager

Chris is one of the core team members for Superhero Runners.

I want to motivate the runners community and encourage people to join with us.

RS: Why do you join fun running?

Chris Sim: I join fun running to take a balance of my usual intensive training. I see the participation is important where we can be part of the community to motivate the runners community and encourage people to join with us.

RS: Do you train for fun run?

Chris Sim: I usually join Superhero Runner every Tuesday. It’s a multi level group where you can find a range of runner from elite runners to casual runners.

RS: How much are you willingly to pay for a fun run?

Chris Sim: Singapore is very competitive. If it’s for charity, I don’t mind paying.

RS: What are the entitlements that you care the most?

Chris Sim: I usually don’t look into the entitlements.

RS: What factor of the fun run matters the most to you?

Chris Sim: Theme.

You can follow Chris Sim on Instagram: @wenhowsim

4. Carol Goh Yean Nee

Bio: 42 year-old Singaporean, Admin Manager

Motivated by ex- colleague to exercise and sign up races., Carol has been into running since year 2015.

Slowly from there she got to know various running clubs and actively join their runs till now.

There are many types of runners, from serious, leisure, fun, lose weight, and etc. As for Carol, she runs for leisure and to maintain fitness.

Ever since she started running, she looked younger and happier. Almost every runner experiences an elevated mood after running and most will tell you that their moods tend to be gloomier when they don’t run.

Fun run is a good mind set to take as running and exercises.

RS: Why do you join fun runs?

Carol: The fun run is less stressful and along the way I can get to know more people. It’s a good mind set to take running and exercises as something that anyone can enjoy rather than to compete and win.

RS: Do you join competitive races as well?

Carol: I did both competitive and fun runs, but preferably on causal runs.
Competitive runs require lots of committed time for training, but I don’t have that much time due to work commitment.

RS: So you don’t train for fun runs?

Carol: Yes, I don’t purposely train for it cause my weekly running club’s training has already covered some distances.

RS: How much are you willingly to pay for a fun run?

Carol: If is for charity, I don’t mind paying for it between range of S$30 to S$50.

RS: What are the entitlements that you care the most?

Carol: Medals, that I am looking forward because it bring memories.

RS: What factor of the fun run matters the most to you?

Carol: Theme and scenery location.

You can follow Carol Goh on Instagram: @carol_goh_1977

5. Lin Jiayun

Bio: 32 year-old Singaporean, Early Childhood educator

Jiayun is an Early Childhood educator who loves running. She started long distance running in the year of 2014 and have signed up many local races and a few overseas races since then.

She also encourages a few friends to sign up for races just for the fun of it Jiayun loves to go for evening runs on weekdays after work hours as it can be a beautiful time out for her to think about things and to seek solutions for issues that bother her.

The adrenaline rush after the run keeps her energies at work the next day too. She also met a lot of like-minded running friends who love running as much as she do.

Jiayun’s favourite quote for running is “Run often, run long. But never outrun the real joy of running”. She wants to encourage every reader here to take up running as a hobby as it will keep you healthier and happier as well.

Run often, run long. But never outrun the real joy of running.

RS: Why do you join fun runs?

Jiayun: I go for the theme of the run and hope to soak in the atmosphere at the event. I just love running and I want to run till old age. Moreover, i am not a fast runner, I just want to run to fulfil my love for running.

RS: Do you train for fun runs?

Jiayun: Yes. To me every run is fun. As long as the distance is a half marathon and above, training is required, or least clock more mileage for it to prevent muscle injury and prolonged fatigue.

I started running 2km a day back in the year of 2014 to get the momentum going. 2km walk/jog a day should be doable for new beginner runners. Then, you can slowly increase the weekly mileage.

Of course, you need to listen to your body, I do not encourage runners to push too hard because runners’ injury can be serious and prolonged. Most importantly, have fun for each run, otherwise you may find the distance daunting.

Beginner runner may start at the trails too, because trail running helps to strengthen endurance the ankle muscles thus enable runners to go further.

RS: How much are you willingly to pay for a fun run?

Jiayun: S$50. I do not mind paying for the singlet and medal if there is any.

RS: What are the entitlements that you care the most?

Jiayun: Accessories and medal. I love to collect medals.

RS: What factor of the fun run matters the most to you?

Jiayun: Character and theme matter to me most. I can capture nice photographs during the fun run. 

You can follow Jiayun on Instagram: @iamjiayun

6. Josephine Lee

Bio: 44 year-old Singaporean, Secretary

Josephine do not like running, but she still run because she wants to burn off the calories and love to meet people who are inspiring.

Running is tough, but a fun run makes it less stressful.

RS: What makes you join fun runs? 

Josephine: Running is tough, but a fun run makes it less stressful.  I do not have to be bothered about the distance and timing, I just run to finish it. I do not get nervous at fun run, I can enjoy the route and the scenery and catch up with friends.

RS: Do you train for fun run?

Josephine: No, I do not. To me, fun runner is casual running which I believe anyone can do.    

RS: How much are you willingly to pay for a fun run? 

Josephine: Nothing more than S$50.

RS: What are the entitlements that you care the most?

Josephine: The medal – it is something I keep to remember the run.

RS: What factor of the fun run matters the most to you?  

Josephine: A fun run cannot be too long, it is best to have some fun activities along the route that are suitable for adults as well as children.

You can follow Josephine on Instagram: @j0joli

It’s evidenced that fun runs indeed have their fans in the running community, no matter what type of runners you are.

Which theme of a fun run would be irresistible to you? Share with us in the comments.