All over the world* - Electric Light Orchestra

On the 31st of August 2008, one million people all over the world put on their running shoes and ran for a cause. Specifically, they ran for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the WWF or the UN Refugee Agency.

The race - called 'the Human Race' was held in 25 cities all over the world. In south east Asia, the only race venue was at Singapore. And that was where me mates and i went to do our part.

See me in the crowd? ;-p
(Pic taken from the official race website)

It was really tough. I have not been training much. The conditions did not help - more about this later. And as we walked about before the race, everyone else was clearly fitter and younger than moi. At least 15 years younger than me!!!! Me mate in S'pore was telling us how these young men go thru intense physical training in their National Service!

Checking out the 'competition' - and feeling worried!!!

Green wrist tag - the slowest category!

The race route was pretty scenic. It started off at the Esplanade and took us thru quite a lot of sights along the S'pore River.

However, the race was scheduled to stat at 4:15 pm! It din help by the fact that it rained for a while before the race. It was extremely humid! And the sun came out to keep us company.

Runners rehydrating themselves... BEFORE the race!

I must admit tho that as we waited in the starting pen, i began to feel excited. Surrounded by fellow runners in red, 'Just do it' on everyone's shirt was sublimely psyching me up, the city skyline in front of us, loud music to pump us up (the usual corny stuffs like Eye of the Tiger, We will rock you, etc).

One before the race!

It was really tough. My time was embarrassing. It was due to the lack of training, the humidity and the race route! Aesthetic considerations was preferred over practicality. the route was scenic - but not suitable for a race with 11,000 people. Most of the paths were too narrow and many a times, we were caught in a 'human jam', slowing us down and disturbing our momentum. it is no surprise that the average time of the runners in Singapore was one of the slowest when compared with the other 24 cities around the world.

Oh well... it was an experience. And it was for a good cause, after all! And it really made me resolve to start training seriously again!

*One of their hits which is found in the soundtrack of Xanadu.