About 6,000 NSmen, their families and friends got together last Sunday morning in Sentosa with 4,200 taking on the HomeTeamNS REAL Run's 10km run – touted as the toughest 10km race in Singapore.

The 10km race route comprised undulating slopes, narrow trails and stretches of sand totaling a distance of 2km.

Encouraging an Active and Healthy Lifestyle

Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Masagos Zulkifli Bin Masagos Mohamad had an exciting message to share with NSmen and participants of the event:

"The 20th edition of the HomeTeamNS REAL Run will be a premier event. The HomeTeamNS REAL Run is designed to promote cohesiveness among Home Team NSmen and their families. The annual HomeTeamNS REAL Run has encouraged our NSmen to adopt an active and healthy lifestyle. As they also train together as a unit, they build stronger bonds with their team members and these all contribute to the great sense of unity in the HomeTeam."

GOH Hri Kumar Nair, MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC and Chairman of the GPC (Law and Home Affairs) greeting runners at the 10km HomeTeamNS REAL Run 2014

For the first time, Mr Hri Kumar flagged off at the HomeTeamNS REAL Run event as Guest of Honour in his capacity as Chairman of the GPC for Home Affairs.

Police and Civil Defence Commissioners Relished Running REAL

Commissioner of Police, Mr Ng Joo Hee and Commissioner for Civil Defence, Mr Eric Yap, greeted each other for the 2nd time prior the start of an event they have been faithfully running in for the past 2 years.

Completing the grueling, multi-terrain 10km route of the HomeTeamNS REAL Run has been an annual ritual for both Commissioners. Their consistent participation and performance reflect their belief in leading by example when it comes to promoting "Regular Exercise, Active Lifestyle" among operationally ready NSmen.

Mr Ng Joo Hee, Commissioner of Police (left) and Mr Eric Yap, Commissioner of SCDF (right) preparing for the race together with other HomeTeamNS men.

Commissioner Ng stressed the importance of keeping fit at all times:

"It is especially crucial for our Operationally Ready NSmen to be fit and ready to enforce safety and security in our country. Exercising regularly and maintaining an active lifestyle through training and participating in the HomeTeamNS REAL Run is a good opportunity to do so."

Commissioner Yap added,

"This is the 1 of the many occasions for me and other Divisional leaders to work out together. Ultimately, we form common experiences together not unlike those shaped during the training regimes of fresh recruits. Such common experiences are invaluable as they serve to enhance the bonds between NSmen and strengthen forces within the HomeTeam."

To increase interaction with NSmen and their families, both Commissioners gamely threw themselves into the thick of carnival activities after their completing their runs, much to the delight of the children and NSmen. The carnival activities included exciting game stalls and even 2 inflatable bouncy castles for the kids.

Attracting the Younger Generation of NSmen

The fun doesn't stop after the race. In conjunction with the physical activities, HomeTeamNS launched a selfie competition for the first time on 17 May 2014, riding on what is trending in the social media sphere to reach out to the younger generation of NSmen.

The contest aims to promote bonding and community cohesiveness. HomeTeamNS is encouraging NSmen to post selfies of themselves with their NS kakis, or with their families in the event's Facebook page and on HomeTeamNS's Instagram page.

The top entrant for Facebook & Instagram with the most number of people will stand to win cash vouchers. The competition will end on 20 May 2014, 11.59pm.

HomeTeamNS men making a jump at the REAL Run 2014

Enjoying the Road, Sand and Trails

With a heavy downpour over 6.5km of road, 2km of sand & 1.5km of trail, the HomeTeamNS REAL Run was indeed a tough but enjoyable race for many.

Let's see what other surprises will await runners next year!