Despite the mad rush to collect race packs for both races on Saturday, I was generally happy with both organisers. With so many runs in Singapore nowadays, many event organisers have set profiteering as main objectives. For example, the number of collection counters could be reduced to allow more space for products/services retailing purposes, resulting in long queues during race pack collections. In this respect, I was impressed that both organisers did a good job! We were entertained with sufficient sporting products whilst organisers maintained ample space for queuing.
Coincidentally, organisers for both races chose the "Opt for Your Own Collection Time" method upon registration. Good and bad. The good for such staggered collection schedule largely minimise long queues and angry participants. The bad? I opted same time for both races, oblivious that both race pack collections fell on same weekend! Now, you understand the reason for my mad rush! Unfortunately, the system has been rather inflexible, thus far, rejecting collections once we miss our pre-selected time slots.
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As City Square Mall (collection venue for X-Bionic Venus Run) was further away from home, we thought this should be our first stop. I like the gigantic rotating fan above us! The heat was almost non-existent despite the race pack collection point being an outdoor courtyard.
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| Nice and bright collection point. Very well controlled traffic due to staggered collection schedules. |
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| Super liked the gigantic fan above us. It dispersed the heat somehow. |
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| Collection counters could be improved. Preferably with proper booths and clear signages displayed on top instead of small standees on the tables. Participants had to rely on themselves to check out which were the available counters when their turn came. Quite often, the volunteers manning the counters had to shout afar when they were freed. |
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| Respect to the volunteers, always. |
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| Thumbs Up! See the X-Bionic Compression Top and Pants? They were provided in the race pack! The socks (long version @ S$104.90 or short version @ S$36.90) will be given to us free on race day if we wear the X-Bionic race attire. Woo-hoo! I'll put on full gear! |
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| A closer shot of the race attire. Cool! |
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| This has to be the best race pack ever! Look at all the goodies we have! The major perk of participating in an all-women race has always been a very rewarding race pack. Sponsors being more generous to all-women races? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
As I had unknowingly pre-selected a similar time slot to collect the race pack for Passion North East Run, we had to rush to Sengkang Community Club (about 30 mins travel distance from the first location) before they deny me for collection. To our surprise, the venue was quiet when we arrived. We thought we went to a wrong location!
There was no queue ahead of me and it was a breeze to have all my items collected in less than 3 minutes! How efficient! So, this staggered race pack collection schedule system worked! Really, really?
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| Happy to collect my Bib. Ahem....more volunteers than participants despite the race being fully subscribed. |
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| Ample space and time to check that I was given the correct t-shirt size. |
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| Low registration fees. Simple race pack. No frills. I like it this way too! |
After the race pack collections, we are now all ready for the runs! Bring it on!
