Keep On Running…
The very best charity runs in Singapore in 2018 (Part 2)
15 or 22 July: Race Against Cancer (RAC)
5km, 10km and 15km categories
Sponsored by Singtel and in conjunction with the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) this annual race aims to save lives right here in the Lion City. With 37 cases of cancer diagnosed every day, cancer remains the number 1 killer in Singapore and sadly one in every three who are diagnosed with cancer in Singapore will lose their battle with the disease. RAC aims to raise funds to drive SCS programmes and services to save lives. Additionally to the donation raised from entry fees, RAC also encourages participants to become charity RACers and to set up a fundraising page on the GIVE.asia online platform.
http://www.raceagainstcancer.org.sg/index.html
25 August: Frost The Trail
Team and individual categories in both 4km and 8km distance categories
With a slogan of “Frost the Trail, Warm the Hearts” this corporate charity run organised by Frost & Sullivan takes place around the MacRitchie Reservoir Park. There is a joyous atmosphere with an after-race breakfast carnival during which prizes, including lucky draw prizes, are distributed (and the prizes are really good!) The money raised by the race also does a great deal of good for the two beneficiary charities to which 100% of the proceeds are donated. Evergreen Home is a 250 bed not-for-profit nursing home for the destitute and poor who are cared for regardless of race, language or religion. All the residents are aged over 50, have no family support and are wholly reliant on public assistance. Peace Connect, the second beneficiary, supports residents in Kampong Glam, in particular the elderly. Over 656 lone elderly households are supported with an Alert Alarm System meaning that although alone, these elderly people can call for assistance when they need it.
http://www.frost-apac.com/FTT/index.php/sg/home/
22–23 September: Craze Ultra
43km, 74km, 101km and 100 mile categories
With distances of up to 100 miles it is no wonder that the tag line for this race is “Are you nuts?” Participants in the 100 mile Craze Ultra-marathon start at 7am with the other categories heading off at 6pm on 22nd September. All participants must have finished their race by 3pm on 23rd. The start and finish line is on the reservoir deck at MacRitchie but the race itself ranges over pretty much all of Singapore utilising footpaths and park connectors. In support of HCA Hospice Care this mega-run helps Singapore’s largest home hospice care provider bring comfort and support to patients with life limiting illnesses and those who care for them. Around 3,700 patients are helped annually at no cost, with many others benefitting from subsidised care.
October: Bloomberg Square Mile Relay/The Pink Ribbon Walk
Two very different events, dates still to be confirmed.
The Square Mile Relay describes itself as “the ultimate corporate team building event” and pits teams from Singapore’s biggest companies against one another. In teams of 10, each team member completes one lap of one mile around Marina Bay. In Singapore, the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay 2017 helped to fund a local project in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Singapore. Volunteers spent the day improving the living conditions of the vulnerable and elderly in Toa Payoh, by clearing up litter in the area and revitalising the shared living space for residents.
October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month and in 2017 the inaugural Pink Ribbon walk took place in Singapore. Participants chose between walking or running 3.5km or 5km to raise funds for breast cancer research. A carnival atmosphere prevailed, with a parade, music and dancing. The event will be repeated in 2018.
https://www.pinkribbonwalk.sg/
November: One North Run
800m family dash, 5km and 10K categories. Date to be confirmed
The annual One North Run is organised with the aim of bringing the one-north community together for a good cause — to raise funds for two separate charities. Singapore Children’s Society protects and nurtures children and youth of all races and religions. In 2017, the Society reached out to over 74,173 children, youth and families in need. The Children’s Society operates 11 service centres island-wide. The Community Chest supports about 80 social service organisations in Singapore and benefits the Asian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA) and Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS).
8 December: Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore
Categories from 10km to marathon
This is the ‘big one’, the highlight of the Singapore running calendar. Roundingoff the running year, this iconic marathon encourages all individual runners to participate in the ‘Run for a Reason’ charity programme. Operated through GIVE.asia, the event’s official fundraising platform, since 2002 more than SGD 2.7 million has been raised by participants for good causes. You can start your fundraising page with just a few simple clicks and dedicate your run to a cause close to your own heart.
