From SPIN Asia #15
Runners of all ages are pushed to their limits in The North Face 100 Singapore ultra trail marathon 2010 as they battle humidity, dehydration and the temptation of giving up.
The North Face 100 Singapore ultra trail marathon returns for its third installment with a stronger turnout than ever, with 1,380 runners this year participating in the most grueling run on the island. The marathon pits The North Face athletes and the other participants against the scorching sun and the siphoning humidity as they leave their weary footprints throughout the trails. This year’s route starts off from MacRitchie Reservoir Park, over to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and culminating in a savage climb up a hill in the Mandai Nature Reserve before heading back to MacRitchie for the finish.
Hydration is an important part in endurance races, and The North Face 100 Singapore ultra trail marathon is no exception. Runners have to get their hydration packs weighed before the start of the race to ensure they are carrying the minimum amount of water set by the safety regulations. Along with the abundant water points strewn throughout the trails, the event ran smoothly with no reported cases of heat strokes or dehydration.
Clocking in at 11 hours and 12 minutes, 48-year-old Japanese Hisao Yamanaka finished at first place in the 100km Solo. After competing in last year’s event in the Men’s Duo category, it was his first time running solo, winning the race ahead of the chasing pack, tailed only by The North Face athlete Huiji Zhang. The Chinese runner came in second at a time of 11 hours and 23 minutes, becoming the first woman to get a placing amongst the top three in the 100km Solo. In third place was German Andre Blumberg, clocking in at a time of 13 hours and 14 minutes.
Sisterly bonds saw Esther and June Tan through as they secured top spot for Women’s 50km Duo category. The sibling duo of team The North Face Endurance proved to be a formidable combo by keeping a steady pace and bested rivals, crossing the finish line at 2 hours 41 minutes and 2 hours 45 minutes respectively.
The North Face 100® is part of a global series of races, which includes the legendary Canadian Death Race and the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc, where athletes tackle the most grueling trails, highest mountain summits, river and canyon crossings. Singapore, being one-leg of the six country Asian Series, will send winner Yamanaka on all-expenses paid trip to Beijing, China to compete in The North Face 100 Finale in April 2011.
To find out more about The North Face 100® race, please visit:
www.thenorthface100.com.sg or www.facebook.com/TNF100Singapore.
For more than 40 years The North Face athlete team has defined the limits of what is humanly possible, and continually works with Research, Design & Development, creating innovative designs that push new technologies and inspire cutting-edge products.
