The most hiong race I ever done in my whole life and most probably the longest distance I ever going to run. The North Face 100 is not a race for the faint hearted. This is an almost 100% trail (A little bit of tarmac road at areas like Rifle Range/Zheng Hua Park etc.) ultra marathon that require teams of 2 runners to run 50km through areas like Macritchie, Rifle Range, Bukit Timah and Bukit Panjang etc with minimum support. (Runners have to bring min 2L of hydration in the form of hydration bladder or belt and the only official water point is at BKE below Bukit Panjang exit-23KM/30KM/36.5KM. ) The terrain is very uneven, slippery (thanks to the rain. I twisted my ankle a few times. If you know what I genak before, you will know that an ankle twist is disastrous for me. But my shoes gave me excellent protection.) and challenging. To make things worse, a climb up Bukit Timah hill summit after running close to 20KM (Play RPM’s toughest Mountain Climb track here…) and a 8 hours cut off time makes it harder. This is a race that I walk more than I run. I did this race with my Secondary School pal Amin and it is one hell of a race for him as well as he is not in his best condition.

Started the race at 8am at Zig-Zag Bridge. (Deja vu…Cross Country Start Point. Last time there was like 8 years ago.) Started the race well. Comfortable. Went up Lornie Road->Lornie Trail->Start Point. (4.1KM-25min) Then went to Northern Trail->Rifle Range->Durian Trail->Bukit Timah Hill Summit. (18KM) Although there is no water point at Bukit Timah Hill, the visitor centre is an unofficial 1. So I went there for a pit stop before I CLIMB up the stairs to the summit. Hit the summit at around 10:30am. Well within my game plan.

Then I ran to Belukar Track->Chestnut trail->BKE Bukit Panjang Exit. (CHECKPOINT! 100PLUS!!!!!!) After filling up water, it was a run to Jalan Kok Meng and Zheng Hua Park before hitting the same Checkpoint again. (Fill water…Drink water.) The Zheng Hua Park is a love-hate for me. Love it as I met a lot of angels there. (Not because I was dying there.) I felt so blessed. I was suffering from cramps and my kaki John offered me heat rub. I was hungry and a marshaller offered me banana. What else can I ask for? Zheng Hua Park was also a tarmac road terrain so that was good…A break from the unforgiving trail. But the ups and downs made it damn tough. It seems like never ending.

Then it was going through the same loop again to the same checkpoint. (Fill water…Drink water.) Along this stretch, I really walk a hell lot. Tried to run a bit. But see upslope sian liao. So walk really a lot with some friends. But then, a heavy downpour forces me to run faster cause I dun wanna fall sick.

From then on, it was a run back to Chestnut trail->Belukar Track->Rifle Range->Finish at Macritchie. This stretch was also tough as I run out of water with 5KM to go. So just bear with it and take it home. Finish under the cut off time of 8 hours and my time is 7:30:40. When I reach the finishing line, I was freaking tired. But finishing this race gives me great satisfaction. Cause my game plan worked and I achieved my objectives.

1st, the shoes that I choose worked for me. The TNF Hedgehog XCR worked really well. It protected my legs from the unforgiving terrain and gave me absolute trail confidence. (Thanks to the Vibram sole.) My boss and colleagues doubt my choice saying that the shoe is very hard and inflexible. Gore tex very hot etc… But I prove them so wrong. I seek protection here and I’m glad that I made the right choice. 2nd, I met my target-Finishing under the cut off timing of 8 hours and hitting every checkpoint well before their cut off time. (If I were to follow the cut off time planned by the organizer, confirm cannot finish under 8 hours.) Initially I was thinking of a sub 6/7 finish. But along the way, it seems impossible. So no choice lah. Take it easier. Come back in 1 piece under 8 can liao. =) So managed to do it. 3rd, Beat Farhan! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA. We went head to head in 4 races this year and so far I have beaten him in every single races. But nonetheless, well done bro. It is not easy for you to finish this race. 4th, Helping Amin to run better at every races. As a partner, we encouraged one another and helped each other on track and off track. I helped him with his gears and stuffs and I am happy that they worked for him. Well bro, more races to go yah!

Here’s the map: