Running with a durian in hand: Other weird novelty runs in Singapore

The Run for Good Durian Run, organised by the Central Singapore CDC and the Ang Mo Kio-Hougang CCC, will require participants to run a 5km route while carrying a durian. PHOTO: THE NEW PAPER

Singaporeans, it may seem, no longer run marathons just for fitness - these days, they run for fun.

With each passing year, organisers introduce more creative options.

For the latest novelty run in Singapore, all 388 slots in the Run for Good Durian Run were snapped up by the weekend, less than a week after the event was first announced.

The July 23 charity run is organised by the Central Singapore CDC and the Ang Mo Kio-Hougang CCC. Proceeds from the run - which costs $15 to enter - will be donated to the Ang Mo Kio-Hougang Community Development Welfare Fund.

Participants will run a 5km route while carrying a durian.

After completing the run, they will be awarded with a medal, a coconut, and the choice of having their durian opened so that they may "enjoy the fruit of their labour".

"Participants are expected to collect their durians by 7.45am and (be) ready to run with their durian at 8am," stated the event's website.

Participants are encouraged to make use of a backpack, plastic bag, gloves, and other creative ways to carry their durians.

Organisers have promised to do "as much as possible" to ensure the participants' safety, in the event "a plastic bag tears".

Here are other recent novelty runs in Singapore.

1. Star Wars Run

The flag-off of the 10km competitive run at Star Wars Run 2017 in Bayfront Event Space on May 6, 2017. ST PHOTO: JONATHAN CHOO

A themed run was held at Gardens by the Bay in May to celebrate 40 years of the movie franchise's legacy.

Runner paid $85 for the 10km competitive run and $80 for the 4.5km non-competitive run.

They could select from one of two themed routes - the Dark Side or the Light Side.

Both routes had "engagement zones" filled with light projections, music and photo opportunities.

The runs were flagged off by mascots dressed as Chewbacca, one of the heroes of the Rebellion, and Kylo Ren, the antagonist of the First Order.

The Supertrees at the gardens were also dressed as lightsabers.

2. Teh Tarik Run

A "teh marshal" (in black) directing the runners with a bunch of milk cans during the first Teh Tarik Run at East Coast Park on April 9, 2017. PHOTO: THE NEW PAPER

Singapore's first Teh Tarik Run took place in April, with 800 people paying $35 each to run four rounds of 1km each at East Coast Park.

After every round, participants would stop to fill their "tik gongs" (Hokkien for milk cans) - hung round their necks - with teh tarik siew dai (tea with less sugar).

Teh o kosong (tea with no milk or sugar) was also served.

Participants celebrated their accomplishments after the run with a prata party.

The top 20 runners were presented with a packet of chicken or mutton curry.

3. Race The Dead

Race The Dead runners trying to get away from a person dressed as a zombie. PHOTO: THE NEW PAPER

A 5km "zombie" run last year was inspired by TV series The Walking Dead.

The public could pay $55.90 to be a zombie for the day, hot on the heels of race participants.

The zombies went through a two-hour induction programme, and received free professional make-up before chasing an estimtaed 5,000 participants.

Participants had two "life" flags attached to their waist. Those who lost both flags would be "infected", but were still allowed to complete the run.

The themed event was set for its third run in March, but was cancelled due to logistical reasons.

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.