Let’s Talk about Sports 1.1
Intended to participate in the Standard Chartered Marathon this year,
Was already training for it during the months of July and August.
But due to numerous reasons and excuses,
I did not sign up in time.
(and I didn’t anticipate that registration will close so fast)
Became rather disappointed and disillusioned a while back.
Coz the goal I have set, juz suddenly disappeared into thin air.
Kinda did the next best thing,
Volunteered for the event with my classmates.
(there’s still free shirt to be taken, might as well right)
It’s part of our ‘program’ in school anyway,
To gain some experience in events management.
Reporting time was 230 am @ the Padang.
It’s the first time I laid on the fields there,
Star gazing in the wee hours of the morning,
Things were pretty alright I guess. However,
I left the event with some thoughts
(so I might as well share about it)
First,
Those World Class African runners are really a rare breed.
Imagine,
They complete the full 42 km marathon in 2hrs 14 mins
(at least that’s the timing of the champion)
which works out to about 3 mins per km.
Amazing?
More like quite un-human to begin with.
Getting chased around by lions in the desert without any proper footwear is the way to go! Second,
Volunteering in such events appeals to different people,
And obviously for different reasons.
Some students do so to fulfill their CIP hours (Community Service)
Some go for the freebies/goodie bag, free meals,
And bring home the extra stocks of isotonic drinks (100 plus / H-Two-O)
CHEAPSTAKE! (I guilty too at times)
But the saddest,
Is my disgust with some of the participants of the marathon.
Train for the Bloody marathon if you have sign up.
That’s the least you could have done.
There’s probably more than half of the people there
Either for the free shirt (yet again)
Or they are ‘strongly encouraged by their company to take part’
Corporate image.
But for someone who missed the registration,
And definitely was aiming at completing his first ever marathon
The sight of middle-aged men sporting beer bellies,
Strolling along the route,
Blocking the serious runners’ paths,
Made my blood boiled. If you can’t run, at least jog.
You are WALKING! (you think it’s East Coast Park is it?)
Well,
With regrets, (frustration and anger)
And the determination to register early next year,
I leave you.
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