Shape Run 2009

As a person who had gone for different runs for the past 1yr+ (first time in Shape run), I find that this is the worst organised run ever.

Organisers might want to look into it to provide a better run quality for next year's run.

(1) For the 3 water points they set up for 10km runners, the first 2 did not have the H2O drink!
Why should there be energy drinks only at the last water point?
For all other runs organised, the 1st water point is usually at the 2km/2.5km mark.

(2) No distance markers. Along the 10km route, i only saw one at the 5km mark.

(3) The baggage collection for 10km runners was a mess!!
Went to collect at around 9.30am. All the bags were messed up!!
Runners were showing their bib up high hoping the helpers will see their numbers.
The helpers kept asking how does your bag look like, what colour etc. They were running around, hopping around the bags searching for our bags!!
I thought they had placed all bags according to bib numbers. So why is there a mess??
I stood there for 15min, before i finally got my bag.

(4) The runners' kit collection was a complete mess as well!!
There are 2 seperate queues linking to the same runners' kit collection entrance.
The helpers know about it, but did not do anything at all.
One of them held a loudspeaker saying, "Ladies, you might want to come back 1hr later, as the queue for runners' kit collection is very long. And, this is NOT THE ONLY queue."
I don't understand why must Shape Run organisers make the runners' kit collection after the race??

(5) A bad way to give out Finishers' Bracelet.
There is no signage saying this section is for collecting of the finisher bracelet!
The helpers could not tell who had collected, who did not!
Runners can collect more than 1, for their family and friends!
Organisers should follow what other run event organisers do, to create a barrier at the finishing point, where every incoming finisher have to pass through, and each person is only allowed to collect 1.
The badly organised collection of Finishers' Bracelet, caused many runners to leave without one.

For a run costing $35(early bird) to $55 (after offer period), it's definitely not worth it at all.

(2) there was only 2..
one 5km..
one 2.5km near the end..

(4) it was messy, i dont know there's the end to queue..

(5) i didnt get 1 too..

I would say that I quite disappointed with the organisation of the run. The baggage collection counter was a total Disaster! I checked in both my bag and shoebag and when I went to collect them, my number tag was missing, my shoebag was with someone else's bag. I felt that it was rather ridiculous. From my experience at last yr's standard chartered marathon, they provided a big plastic bag for your belongings and cable tied the bag. At least, you know that you will get back what you deposited. The organisers should seriously think about how the whole baggage thing should have been organised.

I do agree that there weren't enough water points.

I fully agree. It's been 3 years since I'm running Great Eastern Women 10km, Shape Run, Standard Chartered Marathon, Singapore Bay Run, etc.
Shape Run is definitely very bad organised and even worse this year:
- True Fitness personal for warm up showed up late and microphone was not working
- No indication of distance except at 2.5km before the end
- First water point too far, second water point not fully set up when i pass by
- 5km / 10km should be separated for the last few km to avoid fast 10km runners to struggle to find their way through the crowd
- runners kit should be given at the Carnival to avoid the mess we had

That's a shame!

After I finished my run, I didn't feel like joining the q's so I hung around to watch the drumming act and prize ceremony. Then after when I went to q for the vitagen, and when I almost reached the stand, they said there were none left.

This yr's run was the third Shape run I joined, no improvements have been made in terms of q's all these yrs. The sponsors may have their reasons to only give out goodies after the run. But really, this is the last time I am joining Shape run as I think the queuing is really annoying.

Also really annoyed at not getting the finisher bracelet!!

I ran for the 3rd year and i saw it's getting from bad to worst. no indication where to q for runner kit. some1 said this side, another person said the other side. so i join the q near the finishing line and runners were coming back and got quite messy.

I didn't get a nike finishing bracklet. When i managed to get my runner kit and walk inside millenium walk, went for yogurt and vitagen but they were finished!!!! What a xxxx!

Organisers, if you are looking at this forum, please explain and rectify.

This will be my first and my last Shape run.
This applies to all my friends as well.
Wouldn't want to spend $$ on this type of bad quality runs.

I totoally agreed, everything is a mess. My very 1st Shape Run, but is disappointed with the disorganised event. Really need alot of improvement.

I was totally disappointed with the Kellogg booth, went to the booth thinking of buying a few boxes of cereal, after paying up, the minute I turned off, they 'reduced' their price. The reason being they have no small change, issn't this ridiculous? They might as well give it for free. There is a lady was joking telling the helper:"Is it after 1pm, the price will be reduced to $3?" In my heart, I was thinking this could be possible, haha. Can someone from Kellogg pls explain? Is this the 1st time they are having this kind booth? If yes, they will need improvement. If no action to be done, I am definitely someone who will not come back & buy again.

jac2411 wrote:As a person who had gone for different runs for the past 1yr+ (first time in Shape run), I find that this is the worst organised run ever.

Organisers might want to look into it to provide a better run quality for next year's run.

(1) For the 3 water points they set up for 10km runners, the first 2 did not have the H2O drink!
Why should there be energy drinks only at the last water point?
For all other runs organised, the 1st water point is usually at the 2km/2.5km mark.

(2) No distance markers. Along the 10km route, i only saw one at the 5km mark.

(3) The baggage collection for 10km runners was a mess!!
Went to collect at around 9.30am. All the bags were messed up!!
Runners were showing their bib up high hoping the helpers will see their numbers.
The helpers kept asking how does your bag look like, what colour etc. They were running around, hopping around the bags searching for our bags!!
I thought they had placed all bags according to bib numbers. So why is there a mess??
I stood there for 15min, before i finally got my bag.

(4) The runners' kit collection was a complete mess as well!!
There are 2 seperate queues linking to the same runners' kit collection entrance.
The helpers know about it, but did not do anything at all.
One of them held a loudspeaker saying, "Ladies, you might want to come back 1hr later, as the queue for runners' kit collection is very long. And, this is NOT THE ONLY queue."
I don't understand why must Shape Run organisers make the runners' kit collection after the race??

(5) A bad way to give out Finishers' Bracelet.
There is no signage saying this section is for collecting of the finisher bracelet!
The helpers could not tell who had collected, who did not!
Runners can collect more than 1, for their family and friends!
Organisers should follow what other run event organisers do, to create a barrier at the finishing point, where every incoming finisher have to pass through, and each person is only allowed to collect 1.
The badly organised collection of Finishers' Bracelet, caused many runners to leave without one.

For a run costing $35(early bird) to $55 (after offer period), it's definitely not worth it at all.

I totally agree with you. I was already quite dehydrated by the time I reached the 1st water point, and it was ridiculous that they placed the energy drink at 7.5km - which is a convenience to the organisers as that is the 2.5km mark for 5km runners.

Distance markers for me is important too because I need to pace myself according to the distance.

And the most pissed off part was that many ladies did not get their finishers bracelet. I didn't get my Vitagen and Marigold yogurt too

This is my 1st shape run.

and i agrees with the previous replies.

It was messy and unorganised.

I seriously hope that SPH can come up with some clarification on how this event had turned out.

Every year... we look foward for improvement...but each year... it seems like a disaray. Was wondering if the moderators of this forum..will they draw the feedbacks and do something about it for next year?

This is my 1st time participating in the run. Agreed that it was rather chaotic from the beginning till the end.

Encountered problems during the run as well. Was blocked by runners who walked/jogged in group, hence blocking other runners from behind.

Upon reaching the end, have to wait for the usher to scan the tag, which means that the time registered will not be accurate then. Shouldn't they have something similar like our ERP system?

amelia wrote:This is my 1st time participating in the run. Agreed that it was rather chaotic from the beginning till the end.

Encountered problems during the run as well. Was blocked by runners who walked/jogged in group, hence blocking other runners from behind.

Upon reaching the end, have to wait for the usher to scan the tag, which means that the time registered will not be accurate then. Shouldn't they have something similar like our ERP system?

I find that the embedded electronic chip was such an outdated one.
They should be using those timing chips that are tied onto shoelaces like what other races use, or using the rfid strip that the recent saucony passion run used.

jac2411 wrote:

amelia wrote:This is my 1st time participating in the run. Agreed that it was rather chaotic from the beginning till the end.

Encountered problems during the run as well. Was blocked by runners who walked/jogged in group, hence blocking other runners from behind.

Upon reaching the end, have to wait for the usher to scan the tag, which means that the time registered will not be accurate then. Shouldn't they have something similar like our ERP system?

I find that the embedded electronic chip was such an outdated one.
They should be using those timing chips that are tied onto shoelaces like what other races use, or using the rfid strip that the recent saucony passion run used.

I agree It was so cumbersome to hold the bib, cos usually I fold it and put it in my pouch. I was actually quite impressed by the timing device for passion run. Heh

I appreciate the effort by SPH to make the timing device disposable though, I hate sitting down and trying to get the chip out from my shoelaces. =X

Hi all,

We appreciate your feedback on this year’s run.
While we acknowledge that there is room for improvement, we would like to address some of your concerns.

- Nike bracelets
We regret that some runners did not receive the Nike bracelets. This was a "bonus" souvenir kindly given by Nike in addition to the runner's kit that each participant received. It is regrettable that this happened. We will work with our sponsor to better manage the distribution of the souvenir in our future runs.

- Timing
You can log on to www.shape.com.sg to view your timings.
Meanwhile your certificates will be mailed over to you within a month.

- Water stations
Under our sanctioning body, Singapore Athletics Association (SAA)'s recommendation, we have provided sufficient water stations for a 10km road race in our local condition.
We do however note your feedback and will take this into consideration for our future runs.

- Route
For safety of our runners, separate lanes were created with cones for the 5km and 10km runners. Road marshals were also present to guide the runners into their respective lanes.
We will continue to improve this system to provide a smoother run for our runners.

- Distance markers
We have placed the markers at the mid points of each category. We will consider to have more distance markers for our future runs.

Lastly, we value your feedback and will use them to better the run next year. We thank you for being part of Shape Run 2009.