In June, the URA gazetted its Master Plan 2014 after a year in review, setting in motion plans that sees a much larger number of residents in Singapore staying much closer to a park.

Most notably, the Master Plan 2014 targets for up to 90% of residents to be living within 400m of a park by 2030. This means runners could have much more freedom in having their running routes closer to nature.

Another ongoing initiative beneficial to runners is the PUB's "Active, Beautiful, and Clean" (ABC) Waters Programme, where reservoirs and other waterways are integrated with the surrounding environment in a holistic way.

Examples of the ABC Waters Programme include Bedok Reservoir, and have proved to be popular with runners in Singapore. Additional places incorporating the ABC concept will mean runners could enjoy even more of Singapore's island greenery.

With such encouraging developments, the idea of running in a "City in a Garden" might not be so far-fetched after all!