In a constantly-changing running community, organisers of running events are always finding ways to stand out in the industry. X-Change Republic, a home-grown Singaporean company and the team behind YOLO Run, has been known as the innovative event organiser who has transformed into a regional running event organiser (YOLO Run is now present in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Hongkong) and has successfully executed other signature running events in Singapore such as Run Free and Runners League.
This year, X-Change Republic is bringing something extraordinary to the running community in Singapore. It launches YOLO Run SG’s new 21km category launch, and teams up with Alfa Romeo Singapore to introduce 21KM Alfa Romeo Competizione where male and female winners stand to drive away with a brand new Alfa Romeo Giulietta Super car.
Game-changing prize
YOLO Run SG is the first running event in Asia to introduce a car giveaway in a race. The Alfa Romeo Giulietta Super is worth S$91,000 (without COE). Considering that the prize of Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon FM champion is S$10,000 and the prize of SIA Charity Run 10km champion is SIA Business Class ticket worth approximately less than S$20,000, it is possible that YOLO Run offers the biggest prize for a running event in Singapore.
For comparison, overseas races that offer enormous prizes for champions are Dubai Marathon (US$200,000), Boston Marathon (US$150,000), Chicago Marathon (US$100,000) and New York Marathon (US$100,000).
Will other organisers follow X-Change Republic’s footstep by offering even bigger prizes in the future? Is this practice of offering big prizes sustainable? If this becomes a trend, will aspiring runners quit their day job to be a professional runner? Only time will tell. But we know one thing for sure, YOLO Run’s 21KM Alfa Romeo Competizione is not something you want to miss!
Can I really win?
According to Singapore Athletics’ record, the national record of Half-Marathon is held by Mok Ying Ren with 1:07:08, a timing set on 17 January 2016 at Arizona Rock & Roll Half Marathon, USA. Meanwhile, Singapore’s fastest female half-marathoner is Hui Qi with a timing of 1:23:16.
In light of Singapore’s national record, the winners of the 21KM Alfa Romeo Competizione will be the fastest male and the fastest female who can finish the race under the times of 1:09:00 and 1:25:00 respectively – a feat that must be achieved without the assistance of illegal drugs and steroids.
Several of Singapore’s top runners have set their eyes on the car. Soh Rui Yong, two-time SEA Games Marathon Champion with Half-Marathon personal best of 1:07:21, will be taking part in this Competizione. For the women’s category, contenders include elite female runners Jasmine Goh, Rachel See and Neo Jie Shi. F1 Runner, Coach Lexus Tan and one of his top F1 runners, April Mckenna will also be participating in the race.
When one of the top female local runners was asked if she might be able to win the grand prize, she said,
“It might not be possible for me to win the car with my present timing yet. But the organiser makes everyone sit up and train harder. This prize is a game changer. The organiser definitely shakes up the running community with their unconventional ideas and dare to dream big.”
With such a highly-competitive pool of contenders, do you really stand a chance at winning at all? We urge you to repeat this mantra: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”
Even if you don’t win the car, you still have a chance to win consolation prizes! Men and women who run below 1:15:00 and 1:37:00, respectively, will be entitled to generous cash prizes sponsored by X-Change Republic. The 1st consolation prize is S$3,000 cash, the 2nd prize is S$1,500, and lastly, the 3rd prize is S$750. So, will you take the chance?
Everything is possible if you put your mind to it. Take part in this historic event before registration closes end of October 2017.
