Sunday, September 09, 2012
The annual AHM again, and almost always the case that I'm doing it with a lack of sleep. I barely had 2 hours of sleep the night before, and had to be kept awake by caffeine. The 6th time that I'm running in this event, it's already one that I can associate with familiarity, and also one that is gradually feeling like an annual obligation that I look forward to.
-----------------------------------------------------------
A number of improvements were in place this year.
1. The absence of NSFs in the 21km category makes it less crowded and cluttered for the rest of the runners in the buildup at the Start point. Though it's not particularly felt for us, the situation at bottlenecks might have been worse with the NSF runners around.
2. The use of electronic distance markers alongside the traditional placards distance markers makes it harder for runners to miss them out, and it's really applauded. Because they can be seen from a further distance, they can act as motivators for runners when they know they'll be nearing a certain distance. At least it worked subconsciously in me. I hope these installations will be considered in the StanChart marathons.
3. The plentiful water stations was welcomed. Every time I felt that my throat was dry, it wouldn't be far from the next water station. Comparatively to the StanChart marathon, the frequency of water stations was higher, and this also helped to reduce the number of people that would be queueing at each station.
However, certain parts of the route needed a re-consideration.
1. The left turn at CPF building was poorly planned. It was very early in the route (near 2km), and a huge exodus of runners from the Start Point is naturally expected. To have only a single-lane cordoned off for this, would create an early bottleneck that cuts the runners' momentum right from the start.
2. The route from Marina Boulevard to Marina Bay Sands was also narrow. I decided to overcome this by running on the grass beside the road. I could tell that most of the runners on the road were running at a frustratingly slow speed.
3. The Gardens By The Bay (Bay South) stretch was a narrow one. Most runners had to slow down here too. To be frank, this publicised part of the route was overhyped. The supertrees were lit, but were not particularly spectacular. The conservatories were also dark and quiet. Worse, there were hoardings on the water-side, so there was limited view of the bay.
4. The Gardens By The Bay (Bay East) stretch ranked as the WORST stretch. While it was MUCH brighter lit than last year, the severe bottlenecks here remains a problem. It was worst underneath the ECP flyover next to Tanjong Rhu, where runners had to WALK for at least 3 minutes to clear that stretch, greatly affecting the runners' moods and momentum. They put fire perfomers right there to entertain, but I'm not sure how the performers would feel, when the frustrated runners were shouting things like "Don't watch, run!". Well, it's not that the runners were watching, but really, the ultra narrow stretch there created the severe bottleneck. If this stretch is still included in the route next year, the problem will still prevail, as there's really no way to widen the path. So organisers, please, explore alternatives.
As the remaining route was part of the 2nd half, it had been long enough to adequately separate the runners, so there wasn't too much of a bottlenecking problem anymore.
--------------------------------------------
Generally, it was a good run, without cramps nor pain nor bad weather. I still regard SAFRA as one of the best race organisers in Singapore. The timing of 02:15:18 was some 8 minutes behind last year's, but the completion was still greatly satisfying.
My timings for the last 6 years:
SAFRA Army Half Marathon 2007 timing -- 02:14:29
SAFRA Army Half Marathon 2008 timing -- 02:21:02
SAFRA Army Half Marathon 2009 timing -- 02:17:38
SAFRA Army Half Marathon 2010 timing -- 02:04:18
SAFRA Army Half Marathon 2011 timing -- 02:07:33
SAFRA Army Half Marathon 2012 timing -- 02:15:18
Not sure if I'd be prepared, but the next race (StanChart Marathon) is already within sight--a mere 12 weeks from now.
人生是黑白的.
4:28 PM <3
>>>
