As the organizers suggested, this year’s runners were tasked to complete the total remaining 80,000km, as part of a bigger voyage of the lunar dream capsule project.
Perhaps a recorded 11.25km for last year’s race series for all supposed 10km individuals, it makes the target much achievable in 2016.
This year’s Pocari Sweat Run powered by ambitions and pumped with determination by all runners to assist the mission done. Thus, it’s best to initiate the running launch in the evening, on the floating pavilion fronting Singapore’s iconic townscape of the Marina Bay.
Trial
The race gear collection point was packed with runners, even at the earliest hour of its opening. Queue time was long, spanning outside of the station, which was unexpected.
Unique about this year’s event included the Asics brand sponsored apparel and the windbreaker for the royalty runners, which pledged the fraternity since its inception of the race. And to most, it is definitely valued for the pockets.
Launch
I chose the all black gear [attempting to try my newly bought compression tights as well] with my usual bright green kicks. Making sure I was well fuelled with caffeinated energy gel and [oh yes] the Pocari electrolytes.
How can I not trust this engineered fluid?
The launch pad was packed; mostly all the seasoned regular teams and a good bunch of newly joined runners waiting for the “lift-off”. Counting down from 10 to the sound of the buzzer, we finally had a lift-off from the floating platform.
It was a very slow bumpy run at the start, with the narrow routes towards the Marina Bay Sands. Not to mention the couple of bottleneck points as all shufflers had to engage.
Orbit Path
I managed to get clear path spacing at the gardens by the bay, 3km into the route. Greeted by tourists and the public, the supportive spirit displayed was heart warming. Refuel stations were spread out evenly along the route, supplying only the sponsored fluid. The pacers were helpful in allowing a good gauge of my pace.
I bypassed 2 groups of pacers and finally spotted the ideal group for my good estimation. I was embarking on a good pace then and the rest of the route was rather smooth. Another factor that contributed to the run was the cooler weather as the night approached, avoiding most runners from the intense evening heat.
For most, including myself, the route proved too familiar, being on of the popular and widely used park connector networks in Singapore. The organising station utilised within the given route and found it best to give the runners the best lunar ride. I do not need to report to Houston that I encountered any problem.
Re-entry
The remaining 200m saw myself sprinting towards the finishing surface, crashed down hard but smooth enough to brake within the wider end-point. It was a good crash landing, at least for most. Runners were happy. So were the groups of supporters from the organising station, lined up along the finishing point to give us high-fives. The finisher’s medal, beautifully crafted, symbolised badge of accomplishment for all individuals.
Lunar report
Pocari Sweat Run 2016 ended with astounding positivity with all who were inspired by the spirit of the trailblazers, in search of a better mission on the moon. I do hope next year we can venture further beyond the orbit and the vast universe.
But still, fly me to the moon and let me play among the stars.
