Three-in-one fun: Nature, fitness and family time

SINGAPORE - Sunday's inaugural The Straits Times' Run in the Park gave many Singaporeans an introduction to the new Punggol Waterway Park.

The scenic race routes were a hit, as they took runners past ornamental bridges, reservoirs and over 20 species of mangrove plants.

"The view was simply fantastic," said sales manager Alicia Tan, 34, who ran the 10km race with four of her colleagues. "The great weather made it an easier run."

Many participants of the 15km race, which flagged off at 6.45am, paused to snap photos of Sunday's sunrise with their smartphones.

"It's a three-in-one package," said Miss Nur Shahidah Shaifuddin, 25, who ran 5km. "I get to see nature, keep fit and be with my family."

The University of Kuala Lumpur student was back in Singapore to spend the Hari Raya holidays with her parents and younger brother. "We've never seen this new park, so it's perfect family bonding time for us," she said.

For others, Punggol New Town also served up refreshing impressions of an area that was once a fishing village with poultry and pig farms and plantations.

Said Mr Dorian Manrique, 22, who completed the 5km Fun Run with nine family members: "We've all lived in Punggol for almost 10 years, but this is the first time we're seeing all the development in the area. I really like it."

His family also took the chance to surprise his cousin, Teo Li Mei, whose 14th birthday is on Monday, with a hand-drawn "happy birthday" banner at the finish line. It prompted a big grin from her as she ran the last stretch.

Madam Eileen Lau, 33, took her four-year-old daughter Edyna Leong along for the Fun Run as a birthday treat. "She ran the most out of all of us," said Madam Lau. "I could really see her enjoying herself."

Together with Madam Lau's aunt, uncle and eight-year-old cousin, they took their time to enjoy the lush surroundings and were the last to finish the Fun Run.

Still, Madam Lau - who usually competes in 5km and 10km races - said it was worth it: "We walked most of the way and stopped for the kids to catch caterpillars and look at the plants. "With the kids, I became the last runner. It's a new achievement."

Young couple Meryl Seetoh, 25, and Sam Ong, 31, also took their time to complete the 15km race, walking side by side most of the way. "It was our longest walk together so far," said Ms Seetoh, a service helpdesk engineer.

Mr Ong, a process technician, had kept her waiting for an hour in the morning after he missed his bus to Punggol, but tried to cheer her up along the way by splashing water on her.

"At the start, she was angry, but she's back to normal now," he said at the end of their two-hour stroll.

Families showed up in full force, with members of all ages.

Secondary 3 student Aloysius Neo, 15, hit the ground running at the start of the Fun Run, while his father, William, 41, a driving instructor, took it slower.

"I'm very interested in running marathons," Aloysius said after the run, which was the first running event for both father and son.

He added that he wanted to time himself, so his father told him to go ahead. But he decided to wait for his dad at the end to finish the race together.

The older Mr Neo said that he had not run since completing his reservist training in 2007, but he had a good time and would be game to try a longer route with Aloysius in the future.

One of the oldest participants was Mr Choy Kee Fong, a 76-year-old retiree who took a bus from Ipoh to run with his daughter and his grandson. The former competitive runner, who still goes hill trekking every week, decided to do the Fun Run this time round. He said: "We just did this for fun. This time it's not about timing, it's about family."

yeosamjo@sph.com.sg joseow@sph.com.sg

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