REVIEW: 2012 SINGAPORE SAFARI ZOO RUN

2012 Singapore Safari Zoo Run

2012 Safari Zoo Run (12km – Men’s)

OVERALL MARK: 71.3% (RECOMMEND)
HELD: February 5th

IN BRIEF: The second year of the event saw participants given the option to run either a 6km or 12km route inside the zoo grounds with an additional event for kids. While there wasn’t a lot of time to take in the sights for those trying to post a decent time, the novelty of running through the zoo along the rolling footpaths made for an enjoyable run. Will probably repeat next year.  

COST: Paid $56 as an early bird, non-passion card member for the 12km run (male). The cost included free entry into the zoo, the run, Yellow 2XU Safari Run t-shirt, medallion, “free gift” upon completing the race (plush monkey key chain), and a small Safari Zoo Run personal hand held fan. At first glance it is one of the more expensive runs, but taking into consideration the amount of items received (disregarding any coupons), it wasn’t too bad. 7/10. 

RACE TRACK: Saw some complaints written about doing two laps for the 12k, it really wasn’t an issue. Signs marking each kilometre were brilliant. The route was predominantly along the bitumen footpath used to view the animals, at times requiring runners to negotiate turnstiles and an uneven paved area. In one small stretch close to the finish of the race there was barely room for two runners abreast as the path was narrowed by some large yellow fences (which tripped one runner I saw). There were a series of rolling hills but nothing too severe, each mini-climb evening out with a mini-downhill soon after. The footpath was slightly wider than a single car lane which was ok for the most part, but did lead to some congestion in a few spots especially when some runners decided to stop to take pictures of animals. All in all a pretty good route, not really flat but not that difficult either. Despite the few course flaws I enjoyed the route, the novelty of the zoo aspect and the slightly elevated degree of difficulty with the hills. 7/10.

AND WE’RE RACING!: The 12k was split into two “waves”. I was stuck in the second wave which didn’t worry me too much, but friends I was with weren’t happy that any chance at a decent gun time was lost. It soon became apparent that even in two waves there were too many runners. Massive bottlenecks at various stages, particularly when everyone was trying to negotiate the turnstiles, made early running a nightmare if you were hoping to clock a decent time. There were several occasions even late in the race where the bitumen footpath wasn’t large enough to allow for easy passing. One tiny footpath suitable for a single runner was horribly located only a half a kilometre from the finish and proved a major issue as fast finishing runners were jammed behind their sight-seeing brethren. For the most part there was room to execute your race strategy but plenty of time was lost stuck behind the backmarkers. 6/10.   

PIT STOPS: From memory there were two or three water/H-2WO stations along the route giving the runners a chance to replenish every couple of K’s (because we did a double loop). The only small gripe I have is that the large-ish cups were filled to the brim which is sometimes more of a hassle to negotiate – half full next time is fine pit crew!! No “extras” but hey, it’s only 12k’s. Simple and effective. 8/10.

ORGANISATION (PRE-RACE DAY): We sent one person to pick up the race packs (at Novena) of our four runners. Maybe it was luck but it was quick and easy – not a common occurrence with race pack collection in Singapore! 10/10.

ORGANISATION (RACE DAY): Relatively smooth. The two waves weren’t a crowd favourite but probably necessary. It would help all involved if organizers tried to split the group into first wave quicker-runners and second wave fun-runners but the same could be said of every run. Some of the course marshals were really supportive, encouraging runners at certain points which was a huge plus. Course was easy to navigate and as mentioned previously, markers every km were perfect. Two minor issues, first: when finishing the race it is about 100 times better to have the medallion put around your neck than to receive it in a plastic wrap (Safari Zoo Run you’re losing a full point for that). Second: after sprinting to the finish the first thing most people want is a drink. So instead of medallion/free Monkey, stagger over to drink station, why not have medallion placed around neck next to drink station and pick the monkey up on the way out? Just a suggestion. No free food at the end but food was available for purchase - that’s not a criticism just an observation. 6.5/10.   

TIMING: Results were out three to four days after the event and available only for the 12k. Only individual timing was available, the usual list of all participants with finishing place/race time/gun time was not offered. I like seeing where everyone finished, how far I was off the next guy and where I would have actually placed with my net time. What was provided was the pretty much bare minimum in a reasonable turnaround time, so to be fair 6/10.

RACE KIT: I hate t-shirts as the running top. That’s just me. The colour wasn’t popular either so it will pretty much live in the bottom of my closet. Being a 2XU top the quality however was excellent. It’s Singapore and it’s almost 30 degrees 99% of the time, we want running singlets! Although the medallion wasn’t to my particular taste either, it was very good quality, nice detail and stylish ribbon. The plush key ring was a nice touch too and the personal fan was also ok, although both items were probably more marketed towards the kids. Wasn’t cheap but excellent quality items, good medallion, couple of ‘bonus’ items but have to lose marks for the t-shirt and the horrendous colour. 6.5/10. 

SUMMARY: For the record, despite the traffic during the race I set a personal record and slipped under one hour for 12ks for the first time. Considering the race is only two years old I think it will only get better in the future and the little flaws will be slowly ironed out. Give me a “green” singlet to run in next time, another medallion with a different animal on it and a bit more space on the race track and the Safari Run will go from good to very good. Slip the medallion over my neck as I finish and it might even be great. I’ll see you at the starting line next year.  

Official website: http://www.safarizoorun.com.sg/

STATS:

2012 Male Top 3

1st.  Jason LAWRENCE   41:38

2nd. Chee YONG ANG   43:20

3rd. Fang JIANYONG   44:08

2012 Female Top 3

1st. Mok YING RONG   48:49

2nd. Winona HOWE   53:32

3rd. Stephanie HULBERT   55:03