Singapore-born-and-bred NGO, Mercy Relief, will be launching its inaugural charity run and Singapore’s first humanitarian-themed run this year. Anticipating up to 3,000 participants, the event will be held in conjunction with World Food Day. Flag off will be at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, 10 October 2015 at Big Splash, East Coast Park.

“We are a young and independent NGO and our ability to execute our mission—responding swiftly and effectively to natural disasters in the region—depend on the continuing goodwill of donors. 'Ground Zero - Run for Humanity 2015' is a charity fundraising event targeted to raise both awareness for our cause and funds for Mercy Relief," says Mercy Relief Chairman Michael Tay.

In the recent devastating earthquake that struck Nepal, Mercy Relief's rapid assessment team was at ground zero within 48 hours after the disaster struck in April 2015. Reflecting upon Mercy Relief’s cause, the ‘Ground Zero – Run for Humanity’ event will have two categories. Category 1 is 10km Race Against Time, where some 2,500 participants strive to complete 10 km within 80 min.

Photo Credit: Mercy Relief

In the non-competitive Category 2, the 5km Relief Aid Challenge, 500 participants will have to carry a relief pack weighing 5-10 kg. This is to portray a survivor’s journey to get urgent supplies, having to walk several hours to and from the relief distribution point and their homes in remote areas. Tag teams of two are allowed in this category so you and your teammate can take turns to carry the relief pack through the 5 km distance.

These relief packs will then be distributed to low income families in Singapore to mark Mercy Relief’s observance of World Food Day. WFD was established by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations Member Countries in November 1979. It has since been observed every year in more than 150 countries, raising awareness on poverty and hunger.

Early Bird Closes 15 July!

Early Bird registration is open now until 15 July2015. Individual entry fees are S$53 for the 10km Race and S$58 for the 5km Challenge. If you sign up as a group of four for the 10km Race, entry fees are just S$50 per pax. You can also sign up in pairs for the 5km Challenge at S$55 per pax. Normal entry fees apply from 16 July to 15 September.

All participants will each receive a bag, race bib, event t-shirt, finisher’s medal and many other promotional material and goodies.

To register, head over to the Ground Zero – Run For Humanity 2015 website.