The 168km NTU Run-Round-Sin Event

The 168km Run-Round-Singapore started at 9am. I started to monitor the status of the core runners from 1pm, after receiving a message from Aik Hock that the front runners (Adrian, Ngee Huat) were ahead of time. As I was supposed to escort Ngee Huat, I had to finally report an hour earlier at the meeting point. Met up with DO, Alvo, Aik Hock, Mika, Stephen, Karen and we took 2 separate cabs to CP24 (Sengkang East). We waited for about 45min, and soon we saw Adrian Mok runnng in strongly. Mika and Stephen put their bags into his vehicle, and started to escort Adrian.

Running vest provided to the escort runners

We waited for a while more, before our runner, Lim Ngee Huat arrived. There were quite a number of his friends and colleagues already running with him. There was an Ang Moh escort (wearing the NTU running vest) with him, and later that Ang Moh retired after running 90km with Ngee Huat. Aik Hick, Alvin, Karen and myself joined in the entourage. DO who was supposed to escort Sumiko, decided to escort TLR, since Sumiko's status was unclear at that point. We ran for about 3km before stopping at CP25, where there were medical tests done on the core runners to determine their fitness levels. We stopped there for about 20min, before we went on. From there it was a good run. When we were at Tampines Road, it started to drizzle, cooling the runners. As we ran on to CP27, we were joined by SgRunners meteor and vorx. Ngee Huat had a bunch of colleagues joined him there too. So we had quite a crowd running along. We ran along Elias Rd, then to Loyang Point, skirting Pasir Ris, and finally reached Changi Village. The group of Ngee Huat's friends stopped running.

We were soon joined by another group. We ran slong the long Changi Coast Road skirting the airport. By then, I have aleady covered 22km with NH. My ITB acted up here, and I slowed down a bit. With my Patt Strap on, it was actually quite good tonite. Around this stretch, there were many stops mande for Ngee Huat to get some massage for his tired legs, treat his toe abrasions, have some power gels and powerbars. I had the good opportunity to do some stretches and have some water and dates since I was feeling a little hungry. When we reached the road leading to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, we were left with only escort runners AH, Alvin, Karen, Malcolm and myself. There was a friend of NH who had joined us earlier running along too. From there we plodded along as our legs were getting heavy since we crossed the 30km mark. We ran along East Coast Parkway, crossing Big Splash, and then MacDonalds... reminded me of my recent AHM run along this stretch. We stopped to take a leak as some bushes, as we know it was about 7km left to Katong CC, which would have completed NH's third marathon distance for his run. Some one then told us we were only 200m behind the lead group of Adrian Mok and his trifam escorts. NH got excited that we were this close, since we lagged behind quite a distance earlier. He upped the pace, and immediately gave instructions that he would like to overtake the front group, run strong for 30mins, and then hit CP36 in good time. We upped the pace to about 5:45min/km, and soon we overtook Adrian's group, and they were taking a walk break as we passed them. We found out later that he actually had problems with his tendon, and was walking to ease the pain...Ouch!

Shortly after this point, Malcolm bade goodbye, as he felt he didn't want to carry on further. Karen, who earlier almost wanted to flag down the cab at Changi Road was still with us, though very tired already. As the CP36 was getting near along Fort Rd, the pace increased. NH's friend too dropped out after a while. Karen lagged behind sometimes, but managed to keep up mostly. My legs were getting tired, though I no longer had pain in my ITB already...hmm, forgot when it went away. I was careful to relax my ankles and running posture, and maybe that helped. At CP35, we were joined by a young team of escort runners..great, fresh legs to the rescue. We pushed on for the last 3km, and soon we arrived at CP36 (Katong CC) to rousing applause. We arrived at 2:45am, when the estimated time of arrival at this check point was 6am...Wow, we were ahead by 3hrs at least. Coffee and some prata were served. Ngee Huat had his well deserved massage and ice bath. As we sat massaging our tired legs, Karen and I decided to call it a day. We had run 45km already. Karen said that was her toughest exercise in her life..haha. Aik Hock was still fresh, and would like to carry on the final marathon with Ngee Huat. Alvin too said he would fall out soon. After quite a long wait, another core runner came in, and he was waving like a champion boxer, with arms outspread. We were surprised to see it was not Adrian. Adrain came in quite late, and we heard he had inflammation in his tendon, and was walking most of the way. They were worried for his condition.

The fantastic 4 @ Katong CC, after covering 45km

Our veteran ironman, Ngee Huat, soon got ready and proceeded on his final 42km leg. He was targeting to reach NTU and complete the 168km by 9am, 24hrs exactly from when he started. He looked strong as he left CP36 at 0330hrs. I was quite sure he would continue to lead and finish first for this 168km run. He had a good strategy, patience, and most importantly, an undying endurance. I take my hats off him. My friend TLR ran through more than 2 marathons in this events, and he too was happy to complete such a long distance with the company of friends and sgrunners. For me, 45km is the longest I have completed in a single run, and through there were some pain, I was happy to be able to ride through them during the rain. I will take a well deserved rest, knowing that I should be able to complete my upcoming Standard Chartered Marathon.

Distance Ran:45km ___Time:6hr2min____Pace:8:00min/km
Average HR:138bpm___Max HR:155bpm__KCal:3,607KCal