Get ready for a less interesting race review this time as I could not find my waist belt the night before the race. And I am not used to holding a handphone in my hand while running thus there will be less race photos for this race review.
The most eco and sustainable run is here again in 2019! It has changed its name from Income Run350 to Income Eco run 3 years ago. It is always a run where there are lots of recycle bins and strong push for zero waste runner is always the hype where runners forgo the entitlements such as finisher tee and medal. They uses a recyclable cup for hydration as well without the use of paper cups.
Training
There is no specific training for this race as it is one of those streak race that I wish to continue on. Although there is a change in the name of the race, but I would still consider it as a streak race since 2010.
Race Pack Collection
The race pack collection is held at F1 pit and there are plenty of booths in the farmers market selling food and others.
Banners are all up
There are signages to guide runners to the 2nd level for the race pack collection. If one has run the race long enough, he or she will know exactly where the race pack collection is and what exactly to buy from the farmer’s market.
There are approximately 10 counters without queue when I arrived
The bibs were housed in cabinets and the singlet with various sizes stated in boxes. As there are no other items in the race pack, it is pretty easy job for the volunteers in a way.
Volunteers at work
After collection of the race pack, runners can walk around the farmers market. As I believe most of the booths are the same over the past few years, thus I did not really look at them specifically.
Part of the farmers market
Another aisle of the farmers’ market
Not forgetting that there are some workshops over the 2 days of race pack collection. The programme is rather packed from what I see in the list. I have not attended any thus unable to comment on the turnout of the workshop.
Workshop area
The medal recycling is always part of the hype for the past Run350 races. It is the only race that provides an avenue for race medal recycling. I believe some runners have too many medals to keep at home thus other than tucking them in one corner of the cupboard, recycling is one good option.
Finisher medal recycling
Recycling is the main gist of this race
Day Before Race Day
Less walking and sleep early are the only items I tried to do that day. I found that the main issue with Singapore races are the early start times. Sleeping early is always detrimental to ensure that one can get up on time and have enough mind strength for the run.
Race Day
Walking to the race precinct at F1 pit, I can feel that there are much lesser runners as compared to the 2XU compression run. There are shuttle buses available for the race and this of course reduces the carbon footprint.
At the race precinct, there is only short queue for toilets due to less numbers of runners. The baggage collection area looked pretty swift as well. I was trying to find the hydration tent to top up my hydration tank in my body. However, I could not find it.
There were adequate signages to guide runners to the start point. Runners were making their way to the start point at around 4:15am and there were many runners waiting at the start line. Luckily I am adequately early to be in the 1st wave to prevent a repeat of 2XU race where I was stuck at the 2nd wave.
As I walked to the start point, I noticed that the pacers were gearing up their gears and preparing for a good race. It takes time and discipline to train as a pacer and really glad that Singapore has this group out there who are contributing to the running community.
The race started on time with the emcee suddenly counting down from 5secs. I thought I was pretty near the start line but it still took me about 15s-20s before I started running. It is a pretty cool morning with the usual humidity presence. There were some music and I wonder if the residents will complain again. Apparently they didn’t, probably it is not too loud afterall.
The race route starts from F1 pit, to Nicoll highway, heading down to Sports Hub before running in Gardens By the Bay East. When we reached the Barrage, we have to climb up the steep slope up the Barrage before we head back to the F1 pit area.
The route in Gardens By The Bay East is rather dark and due to the drizzle in the morning, there are some puddle of water to avoid as well. It could have been a little better if the route is more brightly lit especially due to the puddles of water. Well, at least there are no stairs!
Most of the hydration stations have adequate water and ice cold 100plus. There are also energy gels at one of the hydration station which is clearly absent from many races in the recent years. However, I noticed that some of the bins are very near to the end of the hydration station. This would only benefit those runners who took the hydration from the 1st table and managed to gobbled down their drink before they reached the end of the station. I felt it can be a little further to ensure all the bins are effective and well used.
There were quite a few volunteers along the way, some giving good instructions at critical junctions and others merely just provide their presence. I believe most volunteers are rather shy thus having them standing alone along a long stretch of road just doesn’t give them the feel of any need to cheer runners along the way. I am ok when there are no cheering, just thought the organisers can at least pair them up so they don’t feel too lonely.
Post Race
Upon reaching the finishing line, volunteers hand over a banana, a can of 100plus, medal and finisher tee for the runners. Most of the volunteers were congratulating runners who completed the race. The only main difference is that we have to throw the right rubbish into the right bin instead of other races where all rubbish are thrown into the same bin.
As expected, there were lots of bins to educate runners to separate their rubbish based on the material. The only comment I have is that the inner bins were a little too small as compared to the length of the external boards where runners throw their rubbish in.
There were a lot of fringe activities as well, mostly were made for the kids who participated in the kids dash. I also saw runners having ice cream but did not manage to find out which booth it came from.
The medal has its prominent orange lanyard since 2010 when I joined this race and do note that the medal this year is actually a bottle opener.
The medal has not too bad quality and the colour adds on a vibrancy to the medal. There are no scratches (for mine at least) and the slogan is emphasized at the front of medal.
Front of medal
The rear medal has the distance engraved with 2 figurines running up the slope. The medal is in the shape of a leaf which further signifies the sustainability aspect this race is trying hard to emphasize.
Rear of medal
The finisher tee comes in black and it has a “cartoon-like” pictorial at the front. At the first glance, it doesn’t look like a conventional finisher tee cause of the cartoon style on the front.
Front of finisher tee
The back of the finisher tee is quite different. It is subtle and initially when I open the pack, I thought there were no mention of the finisher distance. At a closer look, I realized that the words were in grey which creates an extreme two-sided comments from the runners. Either you love it or you hate it. I am pretty welcoming of such new ideas.
Rear of finisher tee
Ratings
A) Race Expo: 4/5 (no queue, adequate booths to shop, workshops for runners)
B) Race Precinct: 3.5/5 (adequate portable toilets, baggage efficient, no hydration at start)
C) Medal/Singlet/Finisher Tee: 4/5 (provides all 3 at affordable fees, medal is a bottle opener, quality and design is acceptable)
D) Post Race: 4/5 (lots of fringe activities for kids and adults, 100plus hydration for runners to top up, banana and a can of 100plus given)
E) The Race: 3.5/5 (adequate hydration, no bottleneck, energy gels provided, a little dark at parts of route)
Overall Rating: 3.8/5
Conclusion
This run was initially called Run350 with the hope that the world can reduce/maintain the carbon dioxide in the air at 350ppm. However, a quick check shows that the current carbon dioxide level is approximately at 412ppm, which could be one reason why the name was changed.
As long as there is a good meaning to the race and the race organisers still doing a good job, I would continue to support this drive to more recycling and sustainability by joining this race!
Autumn Runner 