Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon - my point of view

[judhi]

Honestly, I don't think this event is a good idea. It creates traffic jam everywhere, empty cups littering the roads, road blocks, route diversion for private and public transports, crowds waiting for the bus that never comes, motorists must make big rounds just to go over the other side of the road, hundreds of volunteers, young and old, deployed on the rainy day. Anyway, participants seemed to enjoy it.











More at http://www.flickr.com/photos/best/se...7594403318837/

[pokiemon]

think of the benefits versus those u mentioned above.

[judhi]

Originally Posted by pokiemon think of the benefits versus those u mentioned above.

Thanks Pokiemon,

Many benefits I am sure.

It will be more beneficial to more people if the route choosen is not creating so much road blocks and diversion. Think of sick people who need to be transported, pregnant woman rushing to hospital for delivery, old grandma waiting for bus to go to market under the rain.

[asterixsg]

judhi,
Nice pics

Bro, I am sorry you feel this way about the Standard Chartered marathon. As someone who took part in the run, I was VERY VERY delighted with the arrangements. Kudos to Standard Chartered for successfully organizing such an event on a mega-scale. Everything was planned and executed to perfection.

Agreed, there had to be traffic diversions.
Agreed, it caused inconvenience to public.
Agreed, it created a mess at the drinks points, maybe the runners could've been a bit more considerate rather than just throwing the cups on the road. You see, this one is a fault of the runners rather than the organizers of the marathon.

But, overall, it was worth it.

You should've seen the runners with different motivational quotes pinned on their shirts.
You should've seen the dad who ran with a stroller with his tiny baby in it.
You should've seen the guy running with an artificial leg - his left leg was amputated (btw, he was running faster than me).
You should've seen the guy who was cheering his friends "come on. you cannot give up now. you've already run so far..."
You should've seen the lady standing near Lau Pa Sat giving high-5s to the runners, cheering them on.

What's half a day of inconvenience compared to the spirit of all these runners.

Next year, you too can be a part of the fun. Join the run and set a challenge for yourself
As the tagline for the marathon goes - Run your own race.

Cheers...

[sclau19]

I myself participated in the run. Overall it was pretty well organised and I dun think theres really a much affected traffic since it took place in the early wee hours on a sunday morning. I drove and had no problems parking nearby. Half a day inconvenience should be alright unless u are talking about few days event and taking place actually during weekdays.
Enjoyed the run, which I knew without the proper closure and managing of the routes for runners one would never be able to run this kind of route in singapore. Its full of energy, inspirations and motivation when u are in the run whether its competitive or just completing that distance. ITs a challenge. Best moments when u hit the ending point with both side covering hundreds of cheers and scream to push u on crossing that finishing moments. (pardon my poor english)

Actually I hate to run and was pull in by my friends to join but no regrets.

On the other hand , I see that you have a good time shooting.

[28degree]

seeing those cheering the runners not from a runner's point of view is so different....
i was running and when i saw ppl cheering us on, it just makes you more motivated, and you suddenly got the energy to push on...

cheers....
is a run where everyone of us enjoy, no matter what role you play...



you need to be in it to feel it....
you need to feel it to enjoy it....

[judhi]

Thank you friends,

I have nothing against the event. Just hoping that the next event will be better in term of route planning and road blockings and diversion.

All supporters would be cheering at the runners, but not hundreds of those who waited for bus or taxis.

Certainly there are many good chaps set good examples in this run. Like the 65 yo Mr. Maswar Sahlan and his wife 45 y.o. Mdm Janap M. Said (I got their name from today's ST paper).





And look what I found on the www.singaporemarathon.com website



BTW, I actually went to that place after my friend who run called me requesting for Tiger Balm badly. The medic stations everywhere run out of deep heat spray or balm. Since I decided to go, may as will I bring my 20D + 100-400L + 10-22mm
The shooting location is less than 3Km from my house (Km 34-35) and the nearest possible I can reach after did some research on the web. While usually it takes only 5 minutes to reach the location, it took almost hour to get there and get back.

[sclau19]

Originally Posted by judhi Thank you friends, I have nothing against the event. Just hoping that the next event will be better in term of route planning and road blockings and diversion. All supporters would be cheering at the runners, but not hundreds of those who waited for bus or taxis. Certainly there are many good chaps set good examples in this run. Like the 65 yo Mr. Maswar Sahlan and his wife 45 y.o. Mdm Janap M. Said (I got their name from today's ST paper). And look what I found on the www.singaporemarathon.com website BTW, I actually went to that place after my friend who run called me requesting for Tiger Balm badly. The medic stations everywhere run out of deep heat spray or balm. Since I decided to go, may as will I bring my 20D + 100-400L + 10-22mm The shooting location is less than 3Km from my house (Km 34-35) and the nearest possible I can reach after did some research on the web. While usually it takes only 5 minutes to reach the location, it took almost hour to get there and get back.

Regarding the keep the place clean campaign, I guess the run would have tire out any runners out there whilst on the run. Drinking off from the subsequent drink station is to provide good replenishment for thirsty and tired runners to prevent dehydrations. The drink and throw pattern of runners is pretty common in all major and professional run worldwide. I think the mess u saw could be a better version then if there were no campaign at all. Its hard to keep it top notch clean for such kind of events.

Probably the request by your friend to pass u the deep heat cream causes u to frustrate about the event having to go thru all the hassle since u could have jolly well rested good at home.

Anyway, I like your shots. SHARP!

[asterixsg]

Bro,
I fully understand your views. I wasn't trying to justify that its ok to cause inconvenience to people.

I didn't do the full marathon, so I don't know about the traffic chaos it might have caused after Nicoll Highway...

When I looked at the route, it was mostly around the places that would cause minimal disruptment to traffic. eg. it was mostly in the CBD and then onto Marina Bay where there isnt much traffic on a Sunday morning.

Anyways, the photographs of the mess caused by littering of water cups should be shown to the runners. Forget about littering, its a hazard to the fast runners who run on that litter.
Based on the sequence of events, the 10kms men/women runs were the last to start. And you should see the pace at which the lead runners of these two categories run - almost at 18-20kms an hour. At that kind of pace, it they slip and fall, it could lead to some serious injury. Not at all fair to them. I was a bit disappointed too about the callous nature of some of the slow runners throwing cups on the road.

I hope runners in next year's race will be more considerate.

[drakon09]

The route is probably that of minimum disruption; Marina South, ECP, CBD on Sunday. Any less and they'll have to move it to Tekong.

Two Sundays a year; the AHM and Singapore Marathon, it's not that difficult to bear.

[judhi]

Originally Posted by sclau19 Probably the request by your friend to pass u the deep heat cream causes u to frustrate about the event having to go thru all the hassle since u could have jolly well rested good at home.

Not really as I really willing to do almost everything for this buddy. I also admit that I had fun after getting few shoots while waiting for my friend to reach the meeting point. I feel more sorry for those old folks and children on road side who has no idea why no public transport coming their way.

Drakon's idea to run on ECP is great. Or maybe TPE, BKE and KJE? Even less traffic

[bwilly]

I was in the run too, for each runner, each person is running for something.
Prove him/herself, those who did not run, may think its senseless, paying to torture yourself?

Mind over body, not many people can do it.
This event is quite well organise but I hope to see more cheering crowd en route.
Mostly congested near the finishing part, which is quite pointless. Some runners
you can see wanted to give up on the halfway mark, the cheering part really perk
one up.

For me, I play some Mp3 to get my mind off my tired body.

As for littering, its common, n the mindset of the human, tired, no time to think, I also did not
see much trash bins or bags around. Or was I too tired to notice?
Anyway for me, I do not want to crowd around and slow my pace, I carry a water backpack.
Sip from the back whenever I need, damn useful purchase.

[pokiemon]

the marathon is the only time u can litter so outright (of course with consideration for other runners). it feels good though! haha.

[bigu2fan]

Hello!

I did my full marathon abt 10 years ago. Always wanted to do another one but never got my conditioning right.

In defense of the littering, I don't blame the runners at all. The trouble running this marathon is that,for me at least, it's an endurance race where you have to maintain your rhythm and concentration on the pace. Once in awhile I would take a drink from the kiosk.
The dustbins are not always placed in an obvious location for runners. If you were to stop and look for the kiosk, you will lose momentum, concentration and maybe drop out of the race. When I couldn't find a readily available bin within my periphery vision while running(doesn'ty help when salt gets in your eyes too), I threw the cups to the side same as everyone else. The organisers should organise a better cleanup perhaps cos it's hard for runners to be 'litter conscious'.

Cheering.I cannot talk enough about how much this means to the runners. I get a second wind everytime I hear people cheering me on. Love it.

Originally Posted by asterixsg Anyways, the photographs of the mess caused by littering of water cups should be shown to the runners. Forget about littering, its a hazard to the fast runners who run on that litter. Based on the sequence of events, the 10kms men/women runs were the last to start. And you should see the pace at which the lead runners of these two categories run - almost at 18-20kms an hour. At that kind of pace, it they slip and fall, it could lead to some serious injury. Not at all fair to them. I was a bit disappointed too about the callous nature of some of the slow runners throwing cups on the road. I hope runners in next year's race will be more considerate.

[sehsuan]

I'm so surprised that these editions nowadays are filled with so many newbie runners. I've retired from chasing anything faster, since my last complete run in 2000.

[moriarty]

Originally Posted by sehsuan I'm so surprised that these editions nowadays are filled with so many newbie runners. I've retired from chasing anything faster, since my last complete run in 2000.

You mean to say newbie runners shouldn't run?

[asterixsg]

Originally Posted by sehsuan I'm so surprised that these editions nowadays are filled with so many newbie runners. I've retired from chasing anything faster, since my last complete run in 2000.

Bro,
No offence, but I will disagree with you on this. Everyone is a newbie at some point or the other, isn't it ?
What I would like to clarify here is that as a newbie, one needs to respect that there could be other runners who run faster than him/her and observe certain discipline while running.
When I was running, I saw many runners (friends/colleagues etc.) running in bunches - literally blocking the path. If you are slow or are walking, you have to move to the left and not block the path. Similarly, if you take a drink, don't just throw the cup on the road. What does it take to run a bit ahead and chuck the cup to the roadside ? All newbies need to know these basic rules.

I am sure this would make it fun for all fast runners.

[blueaquarius]

Funny it seems, but these things are inevitable.
SCSM has been there for many years now, and people still reacts negatively about it.

We know people has different opinions, reactions and frustrations about it.
But the key to overcome the inevitable is to accept it and anticipate the things
that we worry about.. humans are humans..

I did the full marathon, and I would say Im a virgin marathoner.
Even though im down with flu 3 days before the marathon and run
with itchy throat and the nose runs with me I still finish it in 5:40hr.

I did honestly contribibute to the litter, bec. I dont have any choice
bec. the bin WASNT! setup properly, and some water stations doesnt even have one.
But believe it or not I diligently throw most of them to the bin, but those stations doesnt have one, i just throw it at the side.

If you are driving, well I guess you never read newspaper and announcement
boards a few months ago that some roads will be closed.. You should have anticipated it... not our fault dude.

If you think people will get sick bec. of the rain,.. well, can you predict if the rain will pour during SCSM?, though the forecast says that a fair weather is expected..
As the saying goes.. "There no such thing as bad weather, only weak minds.."

[drakon09]

Scientists and politicians rarely agree; each is seeing thing with a different perspective.

Both Gandhi and the Buddha avocated the greatest virtue: tolerance.

[judhi]

Originally Posted by blueaquarius If you are driving, well I guess you never read newspaper and announcement boards a few months ago that some roads will be closed.. You should have anticipated it... not our fault dude. If you think people will get sick bec. of the rain,.. well, can you predict if the rain will pour during SCSM?, though the forecast says that a fair weather is expected.. As the saying goes.. "There no such thing as bad weather, only weak minds.."

Yes I drove and I did plan my route carefully, if you read my postings before, I sympathized for those who need public transport.

As for the weather, you are right, nobody can predict. In clear weather any healthy people can just walk few hundred meters with no problem. You should see those old folks faces with shopping bags and kids waiting for transport in a pouring rain.