SAFRA BAY RUN & ARMY HALF MARATHON MARK NS50 WITH NEW RUN CATEGORY & ACTIVITIES

To commemorate 50 years of National Service (NS), organisers of the 2017 SAFRA Bay Run (SSBR) and Army Half Marathon (AHM) introduced a new NS50 Team Run category for national servicemen to come together and strengthen their camaraderie. This year's event will be held on 20 Aug.

The new non-competitive category, which has already attracted 160 teams, requires each participating team of 10 runners - who are Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) or from the Ministry of Defence Reserve - to complete a 5km route each to clock a total distance of 50km. The route of the NS50 Team Run is the same as that of the 5km fun run.

Each team will be awarded NS50 commemorative medals, which are designed to interlock as a set to symbolise the close ties forged among NSmen, as well as finisher T-shirts.

A special contingent of 50 runners, consisting of National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets and their NSmen fathers, will also be taking part in this category to symbolise the passing of the baton to the next generation of soldiers. This marks the first time that NCC cadets are participating in the run.

Nostalgic images of iconic moments during NS, such as recruits receiving their first hair cut, will be put up on display along the running routes to illustrate the development of NS over the years.

"Through these new initiatives, we hope to build on (the participants') shared NS experiences and recognise the contributions of all who have served over the last 50 years," said Chairman of the SSBR & AHM 2017 Organising Committee Colonel (COL) (NS) Simon Lim.

COL (NS) Lim, who is the Director of NS Affairs, added: "We have also planned more activities to engage (the NSmen's) families as we recognise the importance of having strong family support behind our national servicemen (We want) to remind them of the reason that they serve- to defend their loved ones."

These new activities include two giant inflatables inspired by the Standard Obstacle Course. Inflatable stepping stones, for instance, can be found along the route of the SAFRA 5km Fun Run. The other inflatable features the Ditch, Window, Dodging Panels and Tunnel obstacles, and can be found at the post-run carnival held at the Padang.

Other activities at the post-run carnival include games such as tyre flipping, a common exercise in Army training, to keep the runners entertained.

To enhance the running experience and prevent congestion, the organisers plan to avoid having participants run on narrow roads such as those in the Tanjong Rhu area. This year's 21km Army Half Marathon route will also cut through East Coast Park instead of going through Gardens by the Bay (Bay East).

"We want to take the runners past iconic places such as Marina Bay Sands and the Sports Hub to remind them of the importance of NS in protecting our infrastructure and safeguarding our way of life," explained COL (NS) Lim.

For this year's Families for Life 800m Challenge, parents can run with their children dressed up as soldiers. Participants will receive event T-shirts featuring the Army's pixelated camouflage design, and camouflage cream and jockey caps will be given out to the children before the race starts.

Among those eager to take part in the run are a group of NSmen from Ernst and Young.

"We work very closely as a team in our company, so when we learnt about it (the new NS50 Team Run category), we were very excited and signed up for it immediately," said Captain (CPT) (NS) Brian Liu, 35. He is the Training and Operations Officer of 2nd General Supply and Transport Battalion.

"It's not just an opportunity for us to bond. We are very competitive and we're gunning for the top three positions!"

CPT Liu's teammate, Lieutenant (NS) Karthik, agreed, adding that they would be ramping up the number of their weekly office runs in order to stay in tip-top condition.

"All in all, this event is beneficial as it gets NSmen together to rekindle their friendships. For us, it provided us with a chance to reminisce and share with one another about our NS days," said the 29-year-old Mortar Platoon Commander in 745th Battalion, Singapore Guards.

This year's SSBR & AHM is jointly organised by SAFRA and the Army and has five race categories: 21km Army Half Marathon; SAFRA 10km Race; NS50 Team Run; SAFRA 5km Fun Run; and Families for Life 800m Challenge.

Over 27,000 runners have already signed up for the event. Registration is open till 26 Jul. For more information, visit www.safra.sg/ssbr_ahm