There were more new races this year and The Trailseeker was one of them. I was looking forward to it although I had a few problems with regards to the registration and race pack collection. Angela, Diana and myself took the West-bound train from Bedok station, alight at Queenstown Station and walked to the race start/finish 1km away using Sterling Road. We reached the location at 6:25am and went to the info counter to collect the event tee. It was a breeze which could be due to the text I sent to C the previous day when I was unable to collect for Shafiqah as her name was not in the list. :) Big thanks to C for facilitating this.
Trailseeker offered 2 Categories for Participants - T-Run and T-Du!
At about 6:50am, an announcement gathered the runners around the stage area for a briefing by the RD - Conrad ( C!!! Oh dear!!!) I suddenly feared for the worse but since the route was so straight forward (it was an out-and back course with a small loop inside Wallace Trail), I thought it was impossible to screw things up except insufficient water provided at the water station. After the brief, the runners were channeled to the starting line. Everyone was very patient even though the path to the start was a little narrow. No one was pushing or rushing anyone, even when the announcement requested the runners to move 3 metres behind the timing mat. :) At about 7:02am, the race was on!
The Baggage Deposit Point; Race Brief by RD; Walk to the Starting Point!
At about 800m (could be shorter) from the race start, the runners in front of us slowed down and took a left path up a slope. I decided to check out why and saw a big pool of water. As we were running below some overhead road (or bridge), the section was extremely dark. So I took out my Samsun Galaxy S3, and powered on the assertive light! The light was very bright and allowed Jenap and I (whom I met just after the start) to safely walked through under the overhead road/bridge. :) I was enjoying myself as I treat it just like any other leisure run. The green corridor was not as muddy as I thought. This was probably due to the good weather from Thursday. Soon I passed the first water point at around the 3km mark after 21mins, which served only plain water, and the second one at the old Bukit Timah Train Station at around the 6km mark after another 27mins, which served both plain water and isotonic drink. I didn't really take note of the time since we were given 3hrs 30mins to complete.
After the Bukit Timah railway crossing, I saw Running Shots' Marcus and prepared to smile at his camera! It was a lucky day for the runners and for photographers like Marcus - a cool morning with no sun. I continued my run towards Diary Farm, which was the location for the third water point. On my way there, I saw the first runner on his way back! Further up, I met Holly who was volunteering for the event as a marshaller! She was also encouraging the runners to press on! Just before reaching the Diary Farm water point, Ashley ran passed me and told me to enjoy the mud bath. I didn't really know what he meant. Perhaps the Wallace Trail was muddy - I thought. I refilled my water bottle at the Diary Farm after almost 42mins of running from the second water point! Just before the turning into the Wallace Trail, I met Dora who had completed the Wallace Trail. She told me the route inside Wallace Trail was short but very very interesting. I still didn't really know what she meant by interesting. But soon, I knew!
The path after entering the Wallace Trail was narrow and tricky due to the roots. After less than 1km, we came out to an opening. There, we saw many people standing around, waiting for something! I was very eager to find out what happened and moved forward since there were spaces for me to maneuver. I saw Sofia again and then Jai! I also saw the reason why there was a long queue! There was a steep drop into a small stream with extremely muddy embankment! Luckily, there was a volunteer at the small stream crossing to point out to the runners where to step on in order to reach the rope. Two other volunteers were on top the trail, pulling up every runner. Then I saw Angela who was the next to cross! She had been standing next to me quietly as I snapped the pics. I decided to cross over to the other side for photos as I would be facing the runners. So I jumped queue, threw my water bottle towards the volunteer across the small stream but missed her by a mile! :( With my both hands free, I was able to climb over the other side with the help of the 2 volunteers. I waited there for about 15mins. In the meantime, I also realised the volunteer standing at the stream crossing was actually a runner! He lost both his shoes in the mud and had stopped to help the rest. He also asked the two volunteers to get more help so that he could continue to find his shoes and run.
I continued my run as it passed 9am and I might not have reached the halfway point of the race! I decided to concentrate on my run and take less photos. Once I reached Diary Farm water point, I went to the washing point to clean up my shoes. Before I left, I checked my watch. It was 9:15am! If the info of water points at every 3km mark is correct, then I have about 1hr 15mins to finish the remaining 9km. I took a bottle of drink and gave myself 25mins to complete every 3km to ensure I could finish within the cut-off. Sounds like a simple task but not exactly simple! Jai was running just ahead of me and I tried to keep him within my sight. I was still taking photos but decided to stop for good after turning into a garden (at 9:27am) before we were directed to go back to the track near the Rail Mall. I kept running and glanced at my watch once in a while. 9:30am. 9:35am. 9:40am. Then I came to the Bukit Timah Railway crossing and saw a couple doing bridal shoot! Unfortunately, I had no time to steal some shots of the couple. I reached the water point at about 9:51am. Another 6km to go! I knew it would be very tough. So I aimed for the next water point 3km away, which I reached at around 10:17am. I knew I won't make it by the cut-off but was happy that I continued to pass other runners. I picked up my pace and just ran. The seconds kept ticking away. 10:30am. 10:31am. 10:32am. Then I saw the green corridor below the overhead road/bridge, which was still as dark as earlier. I knew the finishing was just round the corner and eventually completed in about 3hrs 35mins.
After Thoughts
I had a great race experience! It was very well organised in contrast to my experience earlier during the race pack collection. There were enough water and isotonic drink at all 3 water points. Volunteers at the water points would help me refill my water bottle when requested. Other volunteers were stationed at critical junctions to direct the runners such that it was impossible to get lost. Even the challenging stream crossing was exciting and fun! Without such natural obstacles, the run would be too boring. :) Looking forward to my next trail race in two weeks' time!
Just After The Starting Point!
At The First Water Station; The Trailseeker Running Route!
After the Bukit Timah railway crossing, I saw Running Shots' Marcus and prepared to smile at his camera! It was a lucky day for the runners and for photographers like Marcus - a cool morning with no sun. I continued my run towards Diary Farm, which was the location for the third water point. On my way there, I saw the first runner on his way back! Further up, I met Holly who was volunteering for the event as a marshaller! She was also encouraging the runners to press on! Just before reaching the Diary Farm water point, Ashley ran passed me and told me to enjoy the mud bath. I didn't really know what he meant. Perhaps the Wallace Trail was muddy - I thought. I refilled my water bottle at the Diary Farm after almost 42mins of running from the second water point! Just before the turning into the Wallace Trail, I met Dora who had completed the Wallace Trail. She told me the route inside Wallace Trail was short but very very interesting. I still didn't really know what she meant by interesting. But soon, I knew!
2nd Water Point; Bridge Crossing at Bukit Timah Road and Near Bukit Timah Visitor Centre!
Enroute to Diary Farm 3rd Water Point!; Wallace Trail;
The path after entering the Wallace Trail was narrow and tricky due to the roots. After less than 1km, we came out to an opening. There, we saw many people standing around, waiting for something! I was very eager to find out what happened and moved forward since there were spaces for me to maneuver. I saw Sofia again and then Jai! I also saw the reason why there was a long queue! There was a steep drop into a small stream with extremely muddy embankment! Luckily, there was a volunteer at the small stream crossing to point out to the runners where to step on in order to reach the rope. Two other volunteers were on top the trail, pulling up every runner. Then I saw Angela who was the next to cross! She had been standing next to me quietly as I snapped the pics. I decided to cross over to the other side for photos as I would be facing the runners. So I jumped queue, threw my water bottle towards the volunteer across the small stream but missed her by a mile! :( With my both hands free, I was able to climb over the other side with the help of the 2 volunteers. I waited there for about 15mins. In the meantime, I also realised the volunteer standing at the stream crossing was actually a runner! He lost both his shoes in the mud and had stopped to help the rest. He also asked the two volunteers to get more help so that he could continue to find his shoes and run.
The Waiting Line! And The Obstacle!
More Obstacles To Maneuver!
I continued my run as it passed 9am and I might not have reached the halfway point of the race! I decided to concentrate on my run and take less photos. Once I reached Diary Farm water point, I went to the washing point to clean up my shoes. Before I left, I checked my watch. It was 9:15am! If the info of water points at every 3km mark is correct, then I have about 1hr 15mins to finish the remaining 9km. I took a bottle of drink and gave myself 25mins to complete every 3km to ensure I could finish within the cut-off. Sounds like a simple task but not exactly simple! Jai was running just ahead of me and I tried to keep him within my sight. I was still taking photos but decided to stop for good after turning into a garden (at 9:27am) before we were directed to go back to the track near the Rail Mall. I kept running and glanced at my watch once in a while. 9:30am. 9:35am. 9:40am. Then I came to the Bukit Timah Railway crossing and saw a couple doing bridal shoot! Unfortunately, I had no time to steal some shots of the couple. I reached the water point at about 9:51am. Another 6km to go! I knew it would be very tough. So I aimed for the next water point 3km away, which I reached at around 10:17am. I knew I won't make it by the cut-off but was happy that I continued to pass other runners. I picked up my pace and just ran. The seconds kept ticking away. 10:30am. 10:31am. 10:32am. Then I saw the green corridor below the overhead road/bridge, which was still as dark as earlier. I knew the finishing was just round the corner and eventually completed in about 3hrs 35mins.
Good Food and Drink @ The Finishing Point!
After Thoughts
I had a great race experience! It was very well organised in contrast to my experience earlier during the race pack collection. There were enough water and isotonic drink at all 3 water points. Volunteers at the water points would help me refill my water bottle when requested. Other volunteers were stationed at critical junctions to direct the runners such that it was impossible to get lost. Even the challenging stream crossing was exciting and fun! Without such natural obstacles, the run would be too boring. :) Looking forward to my next trail race in two weeks' time!
2 comments:
Looks very fun!! I took part in my first trail run last weekend and it was really interesting for me as well. Now road runs seem boring by comparison!
Yes, it was fun indeed! Perhaps you would like to join Trail Running Singapore for more fun in the trail. :)
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