The second edition of Mizuno Ekiden took place at The Promontory @ Marina Bay in the evening and the participation rate this year doubled as compared to last year with more than 4,000 runners taking part.
The Mizuno Ekiden this year is also part of a year-long SJ50 celebration to commemorate the 50 years of diplomatic tires and relationship between Singapore and Japan.
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| Image Credit to Mizuno Ekiden 2016 |
As a gesture of good luck, Mr Kiyoshi Tatani, President of Mizuno Singapore painted the eye on the Daruma Doll before the Flag Off. The Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan in Singapore, His Excellency Mr Kenji Shinoda was also there to grace the event and flagged off all race categories in the afternoon.
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| Team MESUGOI : Kelvin, Jessie, Tracy and Myself - Photo Credit Jessie |
Our team name MESUGOI was thought out way back in March by Danessa, who later have other focus thus did not join us. ME is the acronym of Mizuno Ekiden and Sugoi means Awesome in Japanese. So that's how our team name MESUGOI was formed after adding them together. During the discussion stage, we even have kawaii4u, MEKawaii, MESporty, etc. Glad we didn't use kawaii in the end if not I'm not sure if Kelvin will join us. Haha.
Featuring teams of four runners, this relay race really does requires a great amount of teamwork, perseverance and dedication by each runner and these are also some of the Japanese culture and spirit. It's my first time taking part in such relay races and I'm really excited and nervous at the same time. It didn't help much that I was still not feeling too well and coughing badly the night before. Nearly wanted to just find a replacement to take over my position but I'm really don't like the feeling of last minute backing out so I just pray to God and tell myself to be well for this run and I'm glad that my coughing really stopped.
We signed up for the 21.1km race and Tracy was the first runner for the race. We could hear the taiko drum beating at the village signalling the start of the race for the first runner.
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| Jessie and I before while waiting for our turn. Photo Credit Kelvin |
Jessie was the second runner while I was the third runner. A photo with my running buddy in bright green while waiting.
Runners and members of the public were treated to a wide range of Japanese food and beverages such as ramen, takoyaki, gyoza, matcha latte and beer at the Matsuri Race Village.Various Japanese-themed activities like the sumo wrestling also kept the runners entertained before and after the run. These are to be purchased with coupons sold at the race village itself.
Being the second, third and fourth runners, we have to track our teammates timing and running progress via a unique URL and keying in our unique code on our race bib. This is the transition waiting area whereby we waited inside for the previous runner to be back with the sash. Only after receiving the sash can one start to run. Thus, it's only the first runners who begin the race together at the same timing. The rest of us would depends on what time the previous runner came back.
Started running at 5:54pm and although I've ran this route before during the training clinic, I still find it pretty tough especially at the slope of the Helix Bridge.
Not a very good timing and later I found out that if I had came in 15 minutes later, the whole team will be disqualified. Goodness!
Kelvin, the last runner sprint all the way to cover up the lost timing and also collected all our medals for us. That's how our medals look like when placed together.
So happy to be able to complete the race together. I would love to participate in the run again next year.
BIG CONGRATS TO THE FOLLOWING RACE WINNERS
In the 21.1km Corporate Category, Team COL, consisting of Mr Cleeve Mu, Mr Ramesh Palaniandy, Mr Yew Meng Tan and Mr Yong Heng Cher representing Singapore Prison Service. They clinch the top prize of over S$2,300 worth of cash and vouchers with a timing of 01:25:37.
In the open categories, the quartet of Mr Bjay Sunuwar, Mr Jite Gaha, Mr Nims Gurung and Mr Robert Rai from GC Team won the 42.195km race with a timing of 2:40:26 and the team made up of Mr Chew Jee Keng, Mr Desmond Ang, Mr Evan Chee and Mr Marcus Ang from Team Rabak Rangerz won the 21.1km race with a timing of 1:16:46.
A new element for this year's race was the Subaru Endurance Challenge where three of the fastest runners to complete a marked-out route of 2.4km were given a direct pass to the Subaru Challenge 2016.
I end my post with a flat-lay of the Mizuno Ekiden race pack. Thank you to the Mizuno Ekiden team for the wonderful experiences starting from the running clinics.
XOXO
