How Singapore's growing trail running community is powering a 165km ultramarathon in the city
How Singapore's growing trail running community is powering a 165km ultramarathon in the city
Earlier this month, more than 1,300 runners took part in the annual Ultra Trail Singapore event, with distances ranging from 20km to 165km.
To prepare for his 80km and 20km races, Mr Ament Chia, 28, ran five to six times a week and trained for elevation by repeated climbs up Bukit Timah Hill. He also joins weekend runs with other trail runners.
“For the race, after a certain point, it will be a mental game, and that’s where the community really comes in, because of how vibrant and encouraging everyone is, that’s a big part of getting you to the finish line.”
Mr Sadiq Mansor was first across the line of the 35km race. The 36-year-old said he ran daily in the lead-up to the race, clocking between 100km and 120km a week.
When asked why the trail running scene is growing in Singapore, Mr Sadiq pointed to what he described as Singaporeans’ 'tahan' culture. “It is more about your willpower and your determination, or if you want to prove a point or something like that.”
Mr Julien Prodhon said he was used to trail races in France that featured mountains and rugged terrain, rather than Singapore’s gentler hills and staircases. But it was Singapore’s late-morning heat that pushed the 26-year-old hardest.
