REVIEW: 2011 TIONG BAHRU VERTICAL CHALLENGE

2011 Tiong Bahru Vertical Challenge
(8km/30 Story – Men’s)
OVERALL MARK: 68.8%
(RECOMMEND)
HELD: November 27th

IN BRIEF: The 8km run/30 story stair climb that is the Tiong Bahru Vertical Challenge provided a unique new challenge to the average fun run. Without the upmarket fan fare of some of the more well known Singapore runs, the TBVC delivered a solid event at a reasonable price with just enough extras to put some of the bigger name events to shame. I’ll definitely be back in 2012.

COST: Paid $20 as a non-passion card member ($15 for members). The cost included a light blue Mizuno Race t-shirt, a finisher’s certificate and a small sweat towel at the completion of the race. Considering a standard running tee can cost upwards of $50 these days, that price for that kit and the run is phenomenal. 10/10.

RACE TRACK: Mix of road and footpath around the Tiong Bahru area. It was a relatively flat course with a few slight hills. There was plenty of room at the start of the race to overtake, only problem being the need to give way to cars on occasions and having to cross a road during the run which is somewhat dangerous. The use of several overpasses during the run was a killer on the legs but added to the novelty of the “Vertical Challenge”. One section at Red Hill saw participants have to use a muddy trail covered with cardboard boxes which wasn’t ideal. By the time you hit the footpath (shared with pedestrians) the field had spread out so room was never an issue. The 30 story climb was, well, a 30 story climb! There was enough room to pass on the stairs although it was almost impossible to garner up that strength even if the guy in front was slower. Good route that lacked the frills of upmarket races (such as kilometre markers). 6.5/10. 

AND WE’RE RACING!: The field started as one onto a semi-closed road with ample room for passing. I think there were around 800 runners which suited the course to perfection, being overcrowded was never an issue. With no bottlenecks the only time crowding became an issue was on the overpasses with some runners (me!) slowing to a crawl going up the stairs. Whatever time you finished with was the time you deserved – no excuses. The staircase was narrow but wide enough to pass easily. Overall an 8.5/10. 
   
PITSTOPS: There were two water stops during the course and one just before you took the stairs. Ideally every 2k’s is perfection (not that I use them every 2k’s – but nice to have the option), but this was spread out pretty well. No extras, but the water points were adequate. 6.5/10.

ORGANISATION (PRE-RACE DAY): Race pack pick-up at Tiong Bahru, easy to find but waited in line for ages. It was quick once I got to the front of the line but despite having a lot of people behind the bench it didn’t seem to be very efficient. Probably could have done a much better job given a little more organisation. 6/10.


ORGANISATION (RACE DAY): Pretty easy to find, a few marshals were encouraging the runners while others preferred to play on their iPhone or chat to friends that had stopped by. I wasn’t happy that after reaching the top of the stairs there was no drink station. I understand it might have got messy but I wasn’t the only one that was dying for a drink. Waiting for and then getting in to the stuffy elevator to get back down stairs I heard a few people complain about the drink situation. There were drinks, bananas and other food options once I did get back downstairs which was awesome. I believe there were games and prizes after too but I didn’t stick around. Lack of a drink at the finish a massive no-no. 7.5/10.

TIMING: Only top three in each category were timed. I know that this was a no frills run, but to be fair it needs to be graded against the runs that provide the best timing and in doing so earn 9 or 10 points. Because of that I can only give it 1/10, it was pretty much bring your own running watch.

RACE KIT: I hate t-shirts as the running top. That’s just me. The Mizuno top was a pretty slick design but for the life of me I can’t understand why they give running t-shirts. It’s pretty simple, 95% of people run in a singlet - use a t-shirt as a finisher top for a marathon. I ran in the top and hated it. The finisher’s certificate was a nice substitute for not having a medallion and the sweat towel was also a nice add at the end of the race. I believe there was also a $5 Tiong Bahru Shopping centre voucher in the race goodie bag that unlike most coupons was actually worth using. For the race kit I have to take into consideration how much I paid for the race. A running singlet would have earned full marks. 9/10.

SUMMARY: It didn’t have the bells and whistles of the more expensive races, but the Tiong Bahru Vertical Challenge is one of the best value-for-money races in Singapore I have done.  I’d charge an extra $5 next year and add a medallion, give a running singlet instead of a t-shirt and get two extra volunteers to take down all the times as the runners finish and I believe you could argue the event would Singapore’s absolute best value for money events of the year. Add this race to your calendar; you’ll be missing out if you don’t!