RUNNING, THE ARMY LOGISTICS WAY

Ever tried running while carrying a wheel choke, a stretcher, a jerry can and a fully-stocked toolbox?

Close to 800 Army logisticians did, covering a total distance of 12 km, carrying the essential tools of their trade.

These logisticians, gathered at Kranji Camp in the early hours of 9 Feb, were taking part in a seven-year tradition - the Main Supply Route (MSR) Challenge.

A landmark event for the Army Logistics Formation, the MSR Challenge comprised teams sprinting back and forth, from a starting point to four different checkpoints, to collect as many points as possible within an hour.

Each checkpoint represented a core element of the roles that logistics plays in the Singapore Armed Forces, namely Medical, Supply, Transport and Maintenance.

A new hurdle for the logisticians to clear this year was the 'Heli-Vertical' Challenge, which was a run up a long and winding three-storey carpark.

Lieutenant Colonel Chooi Ker Min, Commanding Officer of 3rd Transport Battalion, said the MSR Challenge reminded all Army logisticians that physical fitness played a very important part in their job.

Since it started in 1999, the MSR Challenge has also helped develop esprit de corps amongst the officers, warrant officers and specialists within the logistics formation.

To further promote camaraderie within the logistics community, teams from companies such as Singapore Technologies Kinetics and Singapore Food Industry were invited to take part in the challenge.

Giving the thumbs-up for the event, from ST Kinetics said: "This is my third time joining the event and as long as I can still run, I will keep on joining in future years."

For the record, General Support and Maintenance Battalion emerged the overall champion.