The sixth edition of the NTUC Income Run 350, organised by Young NTUC wooed around 12,000 participants to the F1 Pit Building, Marina Promenade in Singapore at 5 a.m. on Sunday morning with the event theme, “My Climate, My Responsibility”.
Gracing the event was NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Mr Chan Chun Sing, accompanied by Mr Ken Ng, Chief Executive of NTUC Income. Mr Marcus Chew, Senior Vice President and Head, Strategic Marketing and Communications of NTUC Income along with Mr Seah Keng Tia, Chairperson of Young NTUC Committee and Mr Steve Tan, Executive Secretary of Young NTUC did the honours of flagging off the 21.1km category.
Mr Seah Keng Tia, Chairperson of Young NTUC Committee shared that the core reason for organising the race is to educate and spread the 350 message of the need to reduce the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere for the Earth’s sustainability. Through the race, they hope that the 12,000 participants both young and old, will become advocates of the cause and they intend to continue inspiring positive change next year and beyond.
Race route
The runners were taken through a scenic route as they ran through the Kallang waterfront and past iconic landmarks, such as the Singapore Sports Hub, while the 21.1km runners had the opportunity to run along Nicoll Highway, rounding off the race by running by the Gardens by the Bay before crossing the finish line at the F1 Pit Building.
Participants then adjourned to the race village where there were eco initiatives and activities for runners to participate in. The eco-race village curated by 350 Singapore, with the overarching theme of ‘My Climate, My Responsibility’ were carried out along these four themes; consumption and lifestyle habits, food security, energy and climate change, and lastly waste management.
Singapore’s Largest Eco Race
As Singapore’s largest eco race, the run has adopted several green measures to ensure that all participants practice environmentally-friendly measures during the race. RUN 350 adopted the “Bring-Your-Own-Bottle” initiative that encourages all runners to bring their own bottles for refills at the hydration stations to reduce the usage of paper cups. Bicycle racks were made available at the race village to support the runners to cycle down or carpool as well. Dedicated waste bins showing a clear separation of banana peels, cans and plastic bottles were placed around the race village to advocate keeping the site litter-free.
In line with SG50, the nation’s green initiatives were celebrated through a wall mural that was erected in the race village highlighting Singapore’s eco milestones since 1960. Participants had the chance to see the journey of how Singapore became a clean and green city, as it served as a reminder on how we each have a part to play.
Race Results
This year’s 21.1km Men’s Open category winner is Kenyan Geoffrey Birgen with a time of 1:07:01, while Margaret Njuguna also from Kenya snagging the 21.1km Women’s Open Category with a time of 1:19:47.
Birgen who was 2014’s RUN 350 10km Open Category winner commented that the route was challenging because it was so humid but he had taken part in the race last year, he knew what to expect.
With a timing of 38:01 and 34:54, Suzanne Walsham and Stuart Haynes both walked away with the boasting rights as the local champion for the 10km Category, female and male respectively.
Rio Elijah Chua, a 30-year old PE teacher won the local 21.1km Men’s Category with a timing of 1:25:03. He revealed that although he was happy with his results, he was surprised to win the race as it was his first time doing a half marathon.
Support the Global 350 Movement
The NTUC Income RUN 350, Organised by Young NTUC, is Southeast Asia’s premier eco-run, in support of the global 350 movement. NTUC Income and Young NTUC have been putting together this annual event in a bid to raise awareness on the need to lower atmospheric CO2 levels to 350 parts per million (ppm).
Through the annual RUN 350, an event that NTUC Income has been proud to be associated with for five consecutive years, they hope to drive more awareness of the 350 Movement while promoting a healthy lifestyle.
