What’s to be done about two awesome races scheduled in such close proximity? You could make a protest sign that reads, “Not Fair Scheduling 21km Races the Same Week!” and stand on the sidelines at both events, waving it in the breeze. But, what would that solve?

Nothing. You need a decision-making formula that leaves you regret-free and confident after weighing your options, so how about some professional advice to get you started?

How do you make decisions?

You’re assaulted by them every day: decisions about moving, changing jobs, taking risks, returning to school—starting or ending a relationship. But here’s a fact about human nature: the more choices you are given, the more difficult it is to make a decision.

How do we know? Because a famous psychology experiment says so: A university professor set up two displays in a supermarket. One held 24 jars of Wilkin & Son jams. The other displayed just six. The jars were then switched every few hours.

Guess which display attracted the most traffic? If you guessed the 24-jar display, you’re right. But here’s the irony: more sales resulted from the small display, leading psychologists to conclude that too many choices can be debilitating.

Why mention this iconic study? Because you’ve only got two choices, so your decision between Sundown Marathon and the 2XU Compression Run is relatively simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

We’ve borrowed Dan Goldstein’s “Psychology Today” decision-making strategies to see where you fit and to help you decide.

Strategies to help you pick your marathon

Type: Linear

Strategy: Establish a value weight for each marathon based on your goals (e.g. compare hydration station numbers or the number of potential bottlenecks), add up the numbers and see whether the Sundown Marathon or the 2XU Compression Run offers you the most number of advantages.

Type: Satisficing

Strategy: Make a list of the things you consider acceptable and use it to make your decision.

Photo Credit: Sundown Marathon

Type: Take-the-best

Strategy: This is where reputation, logistics and past excellence come into play. Sleuth out improvements and changes made over the years to both marathons and base your participation decision on the clear winner.

Type: Elimination

Strategy: Make a side-by-side list of race aspects (e.g., start times; post-marathon entertainments; entry fees). Eliminate the least desirable of the two. Choose whichever event has the most number of aspects left.

Type: Name recognition

Strategy: If you’ve a vested interest in one race over the other—or if prestige, name recognition, best payoffs (entitlements) or superior terrain are important—make your decision based on these criteria alone.

Pricing and Runners’ Entitlements

OSIM Sundown Marathon 2017

OSIM Sundown Marathon 2017 Race Singlet

OSIM Sundown Marathon 2017 Finisher Tee

OSIM Sundown Marathon 2017 Finisher Medal

• Category: 5KM, 10KM, 21.1KM and 42.195KM
• Ticket Price: SGD 40 - SGD 100
• Entitlement:
  5KM
  2017 Race Singlet
  5KM FUN RUN Finisher’s Medal
  Personalized Race Bib
  Goodie Bag with Sponsors’ products

  10KM
  2017 Race Singlet
  10KM CHALLENGE Finisher’s Medal
  Personalized Race Bib & Timing Chip
  Goodie Bag with Sponsors’ products
  Personalized Electronic Race Certificate with Race Timing

  21.1KM
  2017 Race Singlet
  21.1KM HALF MARATHON Finisher’s Medal
  Personalized Race Bib & Timing Chip
  Goodie Bag with Sponsors’ products
  Personalized Electronic Race Certificate with Race Timing

  42.195KM
  2017 Race Singlet
  42.195KM FULL MARATHON Finisher’s Medal
  Prestigious Full Marathon Finisher’s T-Shirt
  Personalized Race Bib & Timing Chip
  Goodie Bag with Sponsors’ products
  Personalized Electronic Race Certificate with Race Timing

2XU Compression Run 2017

• Category: 5KM, 10KM, 21.1KM
• Ticket Price: SGD 50 - SGD 75
• Entitlement:
  5KM
  Original 2XU Dryfit Run Singlet
  2XU Compression Run Polo T-shirt
  Medal
  Other Sponsored Items

  10KM
  Original 2XU Dryfit Run Singlet
  2XU Compression Run Polo T-shirt
  Medal
  Other Sponsored Items

  21.1KM
  Original 2XU Dryfit Run Singlet
  2XU Compression Run Polo T-shirt
  21.1KM Finisher T-shirt
  Medal
  Other Sponsored Items

2XU Compression Run 2017 Polo tee, race tee and race singlet

Reasons to choose OSIM Sundown Marathon 2017

Photo Credit: Sundown Marathon

1. Because the 10th anniversary of this run takes place in 2017 and why would you want to miss the party?
2. Because it’s held at night when everything from Singapore’s dazzling skyline to the moon and stars will be on display to mark the occasion.
3. Because you want to be part of the Sundown with Love charitable outreach, helping to give back to the community and pushing the total amount of cash raised for this worthy cause past its current $42,675 total.
4. Because you want to meet the 2017 Love Ambassadors, Singapore movers and shakers in prominent fields who will be recognised for their contribution to society.
5. Because there is going to be a Sundown 3-on-3 Basketball Competition held in conjunction with the Sundown Marathon that will wind up with team championships being awarded.
6. Because while early bird rates ended on 1st January, normal rates are affordable and participants can choose from seven categories that run the gamut from the kids’ and early teens’ 5km Fun Runs to the daunting 42km.
7. Because you can still get in on the second and third lead-up runs (21st January and 25th February) to get a taste of what your Sundown Marathon race will feel like under the tutelage of official pacers, Team Fatbird.
8. Because “Sleep Can Wait” and you want to make the scene at this special running of Sundown Marathon that celebrates a decade of athletic excellence.
9. Because we have a special OSIM Sundown Marathon 2017 10% discount for our readers to save even more.

Reasons to choose 2XU Compression Run 2017

1. Because you hate to run at night for any number of reasons and you’re happier showing up at 5 a.m. on race day than you would be in late afternoon.
2. Because you will be wearing technologically sophisticated garments race apparel created with 2XU technology to multiply human performance.
3. Because over S$6,000 in product vouchers for the gear you prefer will be disbursed among top finishers in all three of the event categories for men and women: 21.km; 10km and 5km.
4. Because SStar.Fitness will hold affordable running workshops at Marina Square Mall. Get your body and your head on straight before you run the 2XU on 2nd April.
5. Because you prefer the green scene that surrounds you as you follow the route been laid out for participants, rather than the teeming night scene.
6. Because the entitlements runners receive when they pick up their race packs are totally cool, sophisticated, exclusive rose gold series 2XU singlets. Besides, everyone looks sexy in compression wear.
7. Because 2017 marks the 7th year the 2XU Compression Run is staged, so if the number 7 has a special place in your heart.
8. Because there will be no shortage of enthusiastic runners who prefer the 2XU Compression Run—around 20,000 of them—so you couldn’t get lonely if you tried!

But, you really, really, really want to do both!

Did your mum call you “the impossible child” because you wanted it all and didn’t want to listen to her when she said that three dumplings would make you sick? If you’re just as obstinate today as you were then, can you run both events and not wind up in hospital?

Yes, you can. Ideally, alter your distances and don’t try to run the 21km at both events. For example, run only the 5km at the Sundown Marathon and the 21km at the 2XU Compression Run, or reverse them.

If you’re not willing to give an inch, we highly recommend reading Jeff Gaudette’s article, “How to Run Consecutive Marathons: A Training Guide for Success”.

Follow this advice religiously to avoid spending the remainder of Singapore’s marathon schedule on the sidelines because your body is so exhausted, it screams, “No more!”

Have you ever run consecutive marathons? What made you take the risk and what strategies did you use to survive so harrowing a challenge?