I was given the opportunity to run the Gold Coast Marathon, courtesy of a competition run by Men’s Health Singapore Magazine. Gold Coast was my third marathon of which the previous two had also been done overseas.

The inaugural Pocari Sweat Run was a massive hit with the 4,000 registrants! Set in the picturesque Gardens By The Bay, the race route consisted the best of tropical horticulture, magnificent city views and landscaping artistry. Runners were treated to resplendent habitats morphing along the track, from desert tundra to teeming jungles. The one million squared metre sanctuary was a feast for the eyes and a boost to running spirit.

The Marina 21K @ Punggol was a great race with a spectacular turn out of international runners and supporters, hailing from Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Italy, USA, Mexico, and more. It has the potential to rival the great marathons of Singapore!

Practising Birkam Yoga helps runners to detox more efficiently and improves the blood circulation in the body. It brings fresh oxygen to the cells in the body and when your body is renewed, boom! You will have the pizzazz to run better.

The grand motto of “Running as One” was encapsulated in the charity element and the broad races. New this year was the 3km community walk-a-jog, allowing everyone to run their own race. With inclusion in mind, the veteran categories caused the age band to explode. The Jurong Lake Run 2012 had participants from one years of age to eighty!

Kor Hong Fatt started running at the age of 70. Today, at the age of 80, Hong Fatt completed a total of 16 marathons and counting. With races like the Shanghai Marathon, Beijing Marathon and Boston Marathon under his belt, Hong Fatt proved that running is definitely not limited to the young and virile.