The timings were released in alphabetical order of runners’ name, and therefore, there are no way to tell what placing each runner finished the 10km race.

As you can see from the screen shot above, my timing was 49mins 20 sec over a rather challenging 10km route, I think I have to be contended with this result. There’s always the challenge to push myself faster and further, but for now, there’s no complain.

On to the next race!

After I’ve Experience The Passion in the month of May, it was time to enjoy the scenic view of “mountain” running in the month of June. I was referring to the Mizuno Mount Faber Run 2009 which took place last Sunday and I took part in the 10km Men’s Open race.

Posted here are some photos of the event which I took after completing the run.

The start/end points were actually at the same ‘gateway’, and what I found unsatisfactory was the absence of a timer clock on the ‘gateway’, or anywhere for that matter. There simply wasn’t a timer clock for runners to keep time. By my own estimation, I completed the race within 45 - 50mins (unofficial time). The official race results will only be available on 23 June, why does it require so many days to compile and release the official race results? Another unsatisfactory point for me.

This is the scenic view one can see when running along the ridge line of Mount Faber, great view isn’t it? But I doubt any of the runners had the energy or the mood to enjoy this fantastic view. The above photo was taken on an earlier leisure walking trip.

Runners at the finishing point drink station waiting to quench their dying thirst. Unfortunately, the drink station ran out of isotonic drinks, leaving many runners feeling very dissatisfied.

The Mount Faber 10km route was a unique and challenging route, but the overall organization of the race left much to be desired. There are definitely much room for improvements.

Furthermore, for a fee of $30+, participants only get a running vest and a number tag with an electronic tag. There were no finisher’s medal and goodie bag given, it was consider very expensive.

Hordes of fun seekers thronged the newly opened SAFRA clubhouse in Jurong West, having fun taking part in the Open House programmes and checking out the newly minted facilities.

There are many facilities (indoor and outdoor) catered for educational, recreational and social activities, as well as F&B outlets for members and their families to enjoy. Here we take a look at a couple of them.

Kidz Amaze is one of the largest playgrounds in Singapore equipped with a three-storey vertical maze and the latest play technology that is specially designed for both children as well as adults.

Here is one of the highest indoor spiral slides in Asia, it is integrated with a 3-storey interactive play system that promises to capture your imagination with an array of motion play events, slides and activities.

The swimming pool at SAFRA Jurong provides a completely new experience for the entire family. Fully equipped with family water-play attractions such as a tree-house play pool, toddlers’ gecko pond, leaf blaster, children’s training pool and lap pool, the pool promises loads of fun for the whole family!

Passion Run 15km Men Open non-competitive (placing in no particular order)

My official timing was 1hour 16minute 19sec (highlighted in yellow)

Passion Challenge 15km Men Open competitive (in order of Top 10 placing)

Well done boys!!!

Passion Challenge 15km Women Open competitive (in order of Top 10 placing)

Well done ladies!!!

That was the tagline for Sunday’s Saucony 100 PLUS Passion Run 2009 which took place at East Coast Park. It was my first race of the year and I was registered for the 15km (non-competitive) event.

The race started bright and early on a glorious and scorching hot Sunday. Here at the start point, every runners were eagerly waiting for the flag-off.

After a sapping workout in their respective race distance, runners crossed the finish line with relief and made a beeline for the drink stations. The winning time for men’s 15km (competitive) was 51 minutes! I crossed the line at a respectable 1 hour 20 minutes (unofficial time) for my 15km run. I’ve got lots of catching up to do!

Update: My official timing was 1 hour 16 minutes 19sec.

That’s me chilling out with my 100 PLUS. Cooling….

Here’s a look at the goodie bag runners earned.

This is the finisher’s medal, it goes into the collection and time to get back to the rigor of training for the next race.

**Disclaimer: Photos of event taken with 2MP camera phone,  blurry quality not cause by your monitor screen.

Photo source NATA SWET

The second group reached the summit of Mount Everest on Friday morning, 22 May.  Team members Joanne Soo, 39, and Lee Peh Gee, 32, made summit at 5.31am and 5.56am, respectively.
(ST link, CNA link)

Photo source NATA SWET

Congratulations ladies! You made us proud!

This is not a protest nor a parade, just a simple call for open-minded Singaporeans to come together to form a pink dot. This pink pot will represent a celebration of diversity and equality, and a symbol of Singapore’s more inclusive future.

Sexuality is not bounded by race, culture or religion.

The first stop found us at The Animal Resort located at Seletar Farmway 5. It was a relatively laid back kind of place and visitors are free to roam around to see, touch or feed some of the animals through their enclosures.

The Animal Resort is not a huge place and so the visit was all but over soon. Then we made an impromptu decision to head over to Pasir Ris Farmway and visit the many farms located there. We ended up at the Kid’s Kampong.

The main attraction at the Kid’s Kampong was the “long-kang” (drain) fishing. Both adults and children, local and foreigners had tons of fun trying to catch guppies with a small net.

Besides the main draw, there are also feeding stations for goose, rabbits, tortise, and a small pond full of koi.

As always, a video of the outing was shot, produced and embed here to bring you closer to the actions and let you experience the sights and sounds of the event in the comfort of your living room. Enjoy!

Happy 6th birthday, Titus - lots of love, hugs & kisses from daddy, mommy & mei-mei.

The boy’s birthday loot for this year - Power Rangers Turbo Drill Max and Ben 10 “2-in-1″ Gauntlet.

And earlier in the evening, we went to this Japanese restaurant called Nihon Muza for our dinner.

This Unagi hotpot hasn’t come to boil yet but it sure looked appetizing.

The kids’ favourite - chocolate ice-crem waffle

Happy 3rd birthday, Maegan - lots of love, hugs & kisses from daddy, mommy & kor-kor