The JPMCC run generated a sense of excitement, it was an opportunity to run in Singapore and it’s my first Team event, representing Citigroup. It was very kind of CitiClub Singapore to accommodate and sponsor our participation. 3 of us, Jamie, CS and myself drove across the Straits of Johor on April 28 to be part of the 6700+ runners in 210 companies competing in the inaugural JPMCC.
At the Padang
We parked at Suntec Tower and had a rather late lunch at 2:45 p.m. Earlier, I made the mistake of missing the Food and Rest area prior to entering Tuas Customs. The Padang was next to the beautiful Esplanade Theatres On the Bay. Overlooking the Marina Bay is the Merlion, the famous Lion Head fountain landmark.
We were early; the weather was hot and humid. After scouting the area, we easily found the Citigroup tent. Met up with Jessie Toh, the friendly CitiClub coordinator who had been so helpful in getting us into this event. Mee Peng’s cousin, John came right after work to meet me. John was also a photo enthusiast. He helped us took numerous shots of the event with CS’s Nikon D100. In fact, he was literally the “official” Citigroup photographer!Jamie had the honor of conducting the stretching exercises for the Citigroup runners!
At 5:45 pm, Jamie and I moved to the narrow barricade. I could see the twin 2-sided Digital Stopwatch above the Starting/Finishing line, a sight I have never observed in all my previous runs. After speeches from the officials and a Lion Dance performance, the countdown begins. It was not the usual gunfire but the blare of a horn. The Run has begun!
5.6 kms
This was the first time I felt being pushed and brushed aside from behind. This could be due to the narrow road. I deployed the same strategy i.e. to start-off strongly since it was a short run. After the 9th minute, I felt pain on both sides of my abdomen. “ Not again “, I told myself because once this happens, I will be sure of not doing an above average timing. Common sense told me to walk but that would affect my pacing. I continued to run at a slower but steady pace. Experience told me the pain will ease away later in the run but it did not happen! At one point, I felt my nose was watery and it may have been a mild nosebleed but thank god no blood oozed out. It was humid. This was also my first race ran on an afternoon.
Towards the end of Republic Avenue, the route U-turned and took us to the costal Marina Promenade tarmac. This appeared to be the home run. There were overhead signboards indicating the 4th and 5th kilometer mark. Many runners increased their pace. I was slowing down! The lingering stomach pain did not go away. My body felt like an overheated engine. It can do no more. I thought the Hong Leong Run was hectic but this was worse.
Last 100 meters
After passing the Esplanade Theatres, I could hear cheers and music from the finishing line area, probably another 300 meters to go. I line myself for the one and only “acceleration”. As I turned towards the right, pom-pom girls, photographers, supporters were cheering the runners on both sides; this inspired me to sprint the last 100 meters, zigzagging and overtaking everybody in my path.
This has to be my fastest last 100 meters in a Run! “Why couldn’t I do this in the last 1000 meters?” a question I posed myself. I guess I was afraid of the consequences of going beyond the limits of my stamina and endurance.
I crossed the finishing line in 37:27 mins. Each individual runner has to self-record his official time on a sheet.
Fruits, Oats and Buffet
Ample food and drinks were laid on the table for the runners. There was no rationing of food and drinks. There were apples, bananas, oats bars, mineral water, fruit juices and chilled canned drinks. CitiClub even organized a mini-buffet for us. I must have drunk at least 7 cups of 100ml apple and orange juices! (Wished they had chilled beer!)
World Class
I went back to the finishing line to look for John and it was there I saw the spirit of comradeship and sportsmanship. In KL, immediately after the Run, there is practically nothing to do unless you are the top runners awaiting the immediate prize presentation and that happens when the rest of the runners are still struggling to finish the run.
In this race, the JPMCC organizers waited until the LAST runner crosses the finishing line before any prizes were presented. After the 60th minute, the pom-pom girls, supporters and organizers were still there to cheer and applaud the last batch of runners/walkers. Who says you can’t Walk the entire course in a Run?
This was the best-organized and most generous sports event, any sports event that I have ever participated. The organizers must be highly commended for setting such high standards and professionalism in this world-class event.
Goodbye
We thanked and bid Jessie and her teammates goodbye and started our long journey home. I drove John back to Woodlands and crossed the JB border just after 11 p.m. From JB, CS drove all the way to KL. He was the most alert amongst the 3 of us. I tried to keep CS company but when Jamie started snoring, I started to fall asleep as well. We stopped at the Ayer Keroh Rest area around 1:30a.m for teh tarik and had a quick preview of the photos. Although it was just a few hours ago, we still had fond memories of the event and the friendship made.
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