Sunday, September 14, 2008

SWING KPE Run

Ran in the Swing KPE (Kallang - Paya Lebar Expressway) run in the morning. This would be the one and only time that one could run in a Singapore Expressway Tunnel.

Arrived at the Kovan MRT carpark at around 7 am. Meet up with some of the sgrunners like DR, DO, Raven, Sassyrunner, Cokiee and many more. There was bus service provided by the organizers as the starting point was at the mid point of the KPE which was inaccessible by private transportation. The bus services were to transport all the runners from either Kovan or Tampines MRT to the starting point.

The run was started at around 0830 and all the 10 km runners begun their first ever Singapore tunnel run. For the first 2 km, there was a "shit" smell in the tunnel as i wondered is there anyone who "shit" in his short. The organizers even switched off the tunnel lights along the route in conjunction of Lantern celebration. At around 4 km, i could feel the heat and stuffiness in the tunnel. This tunnel is definitely not for runner to run in but for cars ONLY. I was almost exhausted from lask of oxygen inside the tunnel.

Nevertheless, i managed to complete the 10km run without stopping. Actually thought of giving up the run as the heat was overcome my physical strength. Collected the goodies bag at the end of the run and took the free transport back to Kovan MRT.

KPE run goodies bag

The goodies bag contains 03 x packet of instant noodle - mi goreng, 01 x lantern, 01 x sports drink, 01 x magnet, 01 x water bottle, 01 x body sticker and 01 x KPE towel. All for FREE!

Below was the media coverage from channelnewsasia:

KPE tunnel hosts sporting event

Posted: 14 September 2008 1954 hrs

SINGAPORE : Some 15,000 people had the chance to run or walk in the unopened stretch of the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway on Sunday morning.

But one person almost did not make it out of the tunnel alive.

48-year-old Koh Sien Chin collapsed near the finishing line, at around 9.15am.

He is a commercial photographer engaged by the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

The first people to respond were runners - one of whom was a doctor - who had just completed a race.

As Mr Koh's heartbeat could not be detected, he was given three shocks from an automated external defibrillator - a portable electronic device used to treat sudden heart attacks - before being sent to a hospital.

Mr Koh is now in critical condition at the Changi General Hospital.

Kalai Chelvan, one of the runners, said: "We felt breathless when we were running, we know the heat is there."

LTA said necessary medical personnel and equipment were in place for the event, which was intended to celebrate the completion of the underground expressway.

The LTA added that the tunnel's ventilation system - consisting of six jet fans and six tunnel ventilation fans - was working consistently throughout the event.

Besides a competitive 10km race or a 5km walk-and-run, the event also aimed to break the Guinness Book of Records for the largest lantern parade. - CNA/ms

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/375844/1/.html

2 comments:

Las montaƱas said...

yes, coming to think of it.. all the lack of oxygen in the tunnel and the all the CO2 given out.. enough to cause more potential faintings. I personally think it is a silly idea for a tunnel run! no fresh air, no scenery...etc

Thomas Tan said...

Hi Las montaƱas,

you gotta it right, it was quite silly to run in the poorly ventilated area (Which i think so). But as this might be the only time i get to run in Singapore Tunnel, why not try it....