RUNNING WITH PASSION

Harmony in Motion We were set off about 7:45 am. The torch was not brought along during the run at the park, for safety reason. We would want the forest reserve to be set of fire, wouldn’t we? Off I went slow and steady, enjoying my morning run. As it rained early in the morning, the trail was soft, wet and muddy. I slowed down my pace not to splash mud on my new Adidas shoes. The starting trail was like our FRIM trail in Kepong. Very foresty. I spotted a few monkeys and some birds. What a nice change from a concrete jungle as Singapore is well known of! The reservoir was a nice place to run. Seen many topless guys running along the trail. Not a norm in Malaysia. I wonder if the girls run topless here too. Heheh! I was given a bottle of water and a certificate of appreciation at the end of the run. Most of the runners were already dispersed. I rested for a while at the park and say bye bye to CT and Kevin before taking a cab back to the hotel. Actually the run was divided into two sections, the 4.8 km run, which I participated. At the close of the event, another elite group of runners (The Lonely Runner was one of the chosen ones!), took over the torch to begin running a road course of 30km. Along the way, they visited various religious, sports, social and cultural communities. The runners were designated to stop at these places to share a moment of inspiration with these communities. Prayers and greetings for world harmony would be offered by its leaders. I was told that supporters and participating communities include the Minister of State and Education, Mr Chan Soo Sen and the Joo chiat Community Club, Kong Meng San Buddhist Temple, the Salvation Army, Ceylon Sports Club, U2CAN boxing Club, Civic ambulance service, the Thomson riders, Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Civil Service Club, Central Sikh Temple, Darul Aman Mosque, and Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple. The final destination would be the Merlion Park, a famous tourist landmark where a half-lion, half-fish statue symbolizing the lion city of Singapore is located. There, the runners would celebrate the completion of a special journey dedicated to world harmony. “May each and every individual each day have a new dream of world harmony – Sri Chinmoy”. Insider news: WHR might be coming to Malaysia end of the year. Nothing is firmed yet at the moment but if there is anything on this run, you will be hearing from here first.