Have you watched the recent Youtube video in which 4 'speedsters' decided to do a relay, raced against the MRT and managed to get from one station to another within 2 minutes and 30 seconds? What? 2 minutes and 30 seconds? Isn't that as fast as the MRT itself? Yes! If you have watched it, you must have wondered, why did they do that? Are they promoting something? What has it got to do with the website, that appeared at the end of the video? Well, follow me through as I introduce to you Singapore's 1st night marathon relay race! In fact, it is also ASICS' first running event in Singapore!

Singapore's 1st Night Marathon Relay

The ASICS City Relay Race 2015 will be held on Saturday, 1 August 2015 at Singapore Sports Hub (National Stadium) from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Moreover, the distance covered will be 42.195km. Witnessing the speed of the runners from the video, together with the distance that you have to cover, you must be thinking—Oh man, I have to be an elite runner with a great stamina! Well, you are wrong. Like what Yogesh Gandhi, General Manager for ASICS Asia Pte Ltd, has said, this race is "targeting a wide range of runners".

If you are a leisure or casual runner, do not worry. The ASICS City Relay race 2015 has something unique that caters for you. Since this is a relay in which each team will be formed by 4 team members, each team member will only have to cover about 10.5km before the changeover. To put it simply, each team member will just have to run about 1 lap of the course around the Sports Hub precinct before you pass your baton to another member of your team. Sounds less stressful, doesn't it? Well, you will be happy to know that due to the unique format that the race has, you will be able to complete a full 42.195km marathon together with your team mates! After all,  as Gandhi says, "the essence of a relay race is about team spirit and team bonding", yeah?

Chris Robb, CEO SWW and Yogesh Gandhi, GM, ASICS Asia

Yet, if you are an elite runner who thinks that such a format might restrict the competitiveness in you, do not fret! The ASICS City Relay Race 2015 has plenty of chances for you to display your competitiveness and prowess. Live results will be screened on the LED screens within the stadium to keep everyone updated on the leading teams so guys out there, you have no chance of slacking at any point of the race! After all, who wants to be caught slacking?

Moreover, there are plenty of categories you can compete in. There will be a total of 4 categories—corporate, clubs, students and open. In addition, each team can be registered as all-male, all-female or mixed. With the existence of fair competition, together with the implementation of specific race categories, each of you will have to strive for your best for as each team will be competing on the same platform without one having a slight advantage of the other.

What to Expect On Race Day

Well, every race has its bonus. The same goes for the ASICS Relay Race 2015! In fact, not only does it have lots of bonuses, Chris Robb, CEO Spectrum Worldwide, says that it is "designed as a social event with a real emphasis on the entertainment, corporate hospitality and food and beverages options" too!

Ever thought of running a race whilst witnessing spectacular fireworks? Ever thought of doing something memorable for SG50? Well, the ASICS Relay Race 2015 gives you the chance to do that! Held on the 1st of August at the Singapore Sports Hub, not only does it coincide with the day of SG50 Jubilee National Day Parade Preview, it is also held near the parade! What more can we ask for? Like what Gandhi has said, it will be a "fantastic marathon experience"!

In fact, let's not forget our supporters as well. After all, any and every race and runner cannot do without supporters yeah? Supporters, do not fret! A blasting race village will be there awaiting for you! Not only will there be food and beverages to satisfy your palate, there will also be performers and DJs to provide you with awesome entertainment. Well, I bet you will be so busy exploring and enjoying the activities that the race village provides you that you will forget that you are there to support your family and friends!

One would then wonder, with ASICS' great achievements in its apparels and shoes for a wide variety of sports like tennis and netball, what are their reasons for their decision to organise a running event? Well, most passionate and experienced runners would have known that "when it comes to running, ASICS is positioned as a pioneer". In fact, Ghandi also says that "in Australia, (they are) number 1 in (the) running (industry)." Indeed, with such a reputation, a running event seems like a must for ASICS to organise, and don't we all feel glad that they have decided to organise one in Singapore?

Relay the MRT stars Lance Tan, Philip Ramachandran, Ravin Kumar

Special Race Discount Relay

Besides, for the cost-saving fitness enthusiasts, what I am going to say next will be music to your ears and a delight to your eyes. On 20 March 2015, starting from 10:00 a.m., an exclusive registration will be happening at 4 ASICS stores (Velocity, Paragon, Marina Square, Westgate) so as to launch the race. Each store will have 25 unique promo codes that will allow only 100 teams to register at an exclusive rate of S$200. How is this similar to a relay? Well, each store will be having their promotions only within their allocated duration of about 3 hours. The promotions will start at 10:00 a.m. at Velocity, before moving on to Paragon, Marina Square and last but not least, Westgate. Sounds like an offer that one should never miss, doesn't it?

Hurry down and grab your slots for the race before they are all gone. Well, you might think that 1 August 2015 is still far away and slots will still be readily available. I beg to differ! Why? The race will be capped at 2,000 teams with a total of 8,000 runners. Moreover, only a total of 400 Early Bird team slots and 1,500 Normal team slots will be offered. On a happy note, students get to register for this race at a lower rate! So, stop hesitating and register for the race! After all, what can be better than Singapore's 1st night marathon relay?

When: Saturday, 1 August 2015
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Where: National Stadium, Singapore Sports Hub
Distance: 42.195km (10.5km for each runner from a team of 4)
Online registration: Opens at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, 21 March 2015 at the official site.
Price: Early Bird – S$250 (400 teams), Normal rate – S$290 (1,500 teams), Student rate – S$210

To recap, here is the Race the MRT relay video: