Shape Run 2009

Ok, the run is over and i am proud of myself!

weather was super hot but still ok
i think there were some improvements made, e.g. drinks are easily available after the run unlike last year where we had to Q!

BUT, other then that, everything else still must Q, which is alright, except that the Qs are looooonnnggg and messy plus the weather is HOT!

now i am looking forward to my next run which is GE! woohoo!

My 10 KM run. At the begining of the few KM, I run with enjoyment and clear mind (relaxing). I passed the U-turn and continue my other 5 KM. I still enjoyed my run, till the last 1 KM, where I could see all the heads infront of me, I got a shocked, all the 5 KM runners were strolling and blocking the whole road (thought at certain road (I forgot where was it), there were deviders/ushers for 10KM runners. I had to shout (I knew it's rude) EXCUSE ME few times. NO, I dont mean to show off, but what I wanted at that moment was that I quickly reached the finishing line. I could not strolling or slow down, as it made me feel very long to reach finishing line.

Please be considerate for future run. Thanks

The water were available immediately after finishing line (one of the excellent improvement). Thanks for reading/listening to our cry for water availability after the run.

I had another shocked upon seeing the Q for collecting the runner's kits. I tried to look for the right Q, but it was toooo long, messy and crowded. Also I could not find my friend (she run 5 KM and I did not carry HP with me). So, I gave up.

Then, I was thinking, its better for me to walk to my car and clean up myself, while waiting for the Q to thin out.

After I changed to fresh clothes and had a cup of double shots coffee mocha, I got a call from my friend, she told me that there was no longer Q at the runner's kits counter. YEA>>>>>>>>>>>>>..... (its about 9:40 a.m).

Anyway. Thanks for all the hard work and the important point for the water availability for runners immediately after the finishing line.

Thanks again.
Look forward for the next run.

It was a fun run.....until you finish the RUN that is.
The water station just right after the finish line was 'heaven', (thumbs up for that).

But everything that came after that was horrifying! I am going to be very candid about it...so here goes:

1) Runner's kit collection snake queue....unacceptable! The organisers really think after a 10km run, with all sweat and stuff, that it is professional standard to queue for the kit, at least for 30-45min??!
Organiser, please do highly consider giving the kit during 'bib' collection. Runners will still turn up to run their race.

2) Runner's kit collection booth....
"Please line up in pairs" came the instruction (uugh?!) How to line up in pairs when the collection is on one lane?

3) Subaru's Free T-shirt.....if sponsor is sincere about giving the T-shirt, put it in the Runner's kit.
What's with the idea of having people queue for it? As if at the end of the race, runners are keen to browse cars?? I didn't even bother collecting.

3) The vitagen & yogurt collection.....grouchy!
Now, imagine this....after a 45min queue under the hot sun for the runner's kit....you are being shoved (literally) into a 'Must take' free vitagen & yogurt lane. "Stay in one lane" shouted one of the staff....and not forgetting all the grouchy faces that greets you throughout. How's that for branding?

Sad for the rest of the sponsors' booth. I was too 'tired' out to visit any of them. I really couldn't understand why participants have to go through such 'experience'.

It's my 1st time participating in the Shape Run, but think will give it a miss next year. There are many other more professionally organised "Runs" out there.

Good luck for next year!

This is the first time I joined Shape run as I did not manage to register in time for the previous 2 years .

Kind of dissappointed with the way it was organized. The 5km run was so packed and jammed up that you would need to squeeze your way through throughout the race.

And the super long confusing queues ( with no clear indication ) for fruits/ Subaru's T-shirt/ runner kit under the scorching hot sun is ridiculous.

Organizer should just put everything together in the runner's kit instead of creating so many queues which is time wasting.

Not to forget the race pack collection problem.

Hopefully the organisers will respond to the emails sent by many who requested for their goodie bag (That is seriously what the organisers least could do for the participants who wish to join the run again next year).

I guess the organisers seriously need to be more flexible.

If SHAPE RUN's aim is to promote running among ladies, it should not deter people from running when we have valid reasons for not collecting the bibs on time.

There are rules but we all need to be reasonable and flexible.

Bibs, tees and goodie bags are already created for 8000 of us. The items are already there so at least give us a chance to redeem them when we find the trouble to call in mutiple times.

I hope SHAPE RUN will receive more positive responses next year.

The 10K run was great! Esplanade, Shenton Way, Marina South route was shady enough.

However, I really hated the fact that I had to queue up to collect the runner's kit. Why can't we collect it when we collected our bib and runner's t-shirt? The Padang was so hot and there was no crowd/queue control. People were trying their luck to cut queue everywhere.

As for the Subaru booth, it's another crazy long queue which I can't be bothered to visit anyway.

I hope the organizer will look into our feedback.

It was my first time doing the SHAPE 5km Run and fortunately, had other more seasoned friends with me..one also had a well-trained hubby and kids in tow who helped us collect the runner's kits, etc. So we were 'saved' from the loooonnngg queues I saw.
My sympathies go out to those who had to line-up, tho' and I agree that the kit should be given out at the bib collection time.
Which prompts another question as to "Why is the timing for the bib collection so limited??" Ending it at 7pm is rather early for most people and as long as the Carnival is open, so should the booth for this function.
Re the other stuff on at the Padang post-race...to be honest, I had no interest to stay on for the 'activities' there...all I wanted was a nice shower and to carry on with the rest of my Sunday programme.
Re the other freebies in the goody-bag...I'm not a fan of vouchers as I think many of us are somewhat 'suspicious' of these offers and are wary of hard-selling by the merchants when we do take them up.
Be that as it may, I will be back for next year's Run (the 10k) and hope the organisers will take note of all these points to make the Run even more of a success as it is a really good thing for the ladies!
Thank you for listening!

The run is good. The route is mostly shaded)

I do agree that the goodie bags should be given on collection of the bib (like in all other runs).

As for collection of the other freebies (yogurt, subaru T etc). I don't really have a problem with them. They are the sponsors and they are there for a reason. And for those of you who WISH to get their freebies, then expect the Q, since there r a few thousand ppl. Simply said.

As for the vouchers, use it if you like it, chuck it if you don't. All running goodie bags have vouchers from sponsors.

U ppl really have lots to complain about. If I were the organisers, I would really think twice b4 organising another run.

[quote="janleong"]
Re the other stuff on at the Padang post-race...to be honest, I had no interest to stay on for the 'activities' there...all I wanted was a nice shower and to carry on with the rest of my Sunday programme.
quote]

agree with u totally!!!

AND the emcees kept going on about the booths being open till 1pm, there's no need to rush, there's plenty of time, freshen up first n come back later to collect when the queue dwindles etc. etc.

how can this be about how much time the organiser has? shdn't it be about the participants - our time, our plans, were we in a state to queue after the run?

what's e point of a speedy bib collection when the price to pay afterwards is such a lousy post-race experience?

there are plenty of reasons behind soooooo many other race organisers choosing to let runners collect goodie bag before the race n i must say they've made the right choice in listening to their participants.

n shape has been organising this run for 3 yrs without learning anything??? UNBELIEVEABLE!!!!

YL wrote:
It's my 1st time participating in the Shape Run, but think will give it a miss next year. There are many other more professionally organised "Runs" out there.

Good luck for next year!

same here n i was thinking it would be a refreshing experience.

spottycow wrote:The run is good. The route is mostly shaded)

I do agree that the goodie bags should be given on collection of the bib (like in all other runs).

As for collection of the other freebies (yogurt, subaru T etc). I don't really have a problem with them. They are the sponsors and they are there for a reason. And for those of you who WISH to get their freebies, then expect the Q, since there r a few thousand ppl. Simply said.

As for the vouchers, use it if you like it, chuck it if you don't. All running goodie bags have vouchers from sponsors.

U ppl really have lots to complain about. If I were the organisers, I would really think twice b4 organising another run.

i do hope they think thrice before going about planning another run, i'm just afraid they won't. this year's mistake is unforgiveable as they are experienced organisers. i wouldn't say we're complaining, just giving feedback.

We're feedbacking la...not 'complaining'...and at the end of the day, my main interests are the challenge of the Run itself, the teeshirt and having fun running with 7999 other women! Other freebies are 'bonuses'...to each their own as to how to utilise them!
Understandably, organising an event like this is no walk in the park, so lemme put on record my appreciation to the organisers and sponsors for their efforts....and as mentioned earlier, "I'll be back!" .

The run is over. The only thing I had enjoyed was the run which was a physical and mental challenge. Other than this, I have many misgivings with this event which had been mentioned by many in this forum - long queues, no chip timing etc etc.

What was infuriating was this helper (whom I believe to be a staff of Shape or SPH) at the end of the vitagen/yogurt drink queue. Once I was given the drinks, I was immediately grabbed at my shoulder by this aunty and given a push on my back in the hope that I will move faster I think. Hello? Am I a refugee or something? I can do without the vitagen and yogurt, you know.

I hope all our views in this forum are really taken note of by the organisers. We are not at fault for the long queues which were a result of the bad organisation by Shape. And why are we treated like kids, being told to queue in pairs, being shouted at to move faster and to move to the front of the line? And, I can't imagine what will happen if it suddenly poured while we were in those long meandering queues. Maybe I'll just forget about the runner's kit.

As for next year's run... I don't know, maybe I will re-consider.

And...... kudos to all who had completed the run, first-timers or not, you completed your own race!