Top 10 Running Series #9 - Sentosa Island

By far the largest Team Costa contingency, we had 13 running participants, 2 newbies, 8 support and numerous children far too busy playing on the beach to care what the parents are getting up to with their running shoes strapped on.

We met at the swanky Tanjong Beach Club on the far east side of the island.  After the requisite group shot (and just noticed we have one MIA) we took off at an easy pace in order to try and stick together as much as possible given the various running skills in this group.

With a westward approach along Tanjong and Palawan Beach Walks within 1.5km we hit the public holiday crowds.  Celebrating Chinese New Year provided all the foreign workers with a day off and an opportunity to descend upon Sentosa Island for a day trip.  For us runners it turned into a human obstacle course that we weaved our way through.

Regrouping amongst the crowds.

The masses of groups milling about created a challenge all the way down Siloso Beach Walk but we were a bunch with a very a happy disposition and eventually left the crowds behind.

Siloso Beach

We regrouped again at the western most point of Sentosa which was halfway through the run.  Here, two members returned and the rest of us pushed onto the Imbiah Trail track for a little extra adventure.  Once we reached the top we took another short break, checked the trail map and began our descent via Merlion Plaza where the 37m concrete half lion-half fish statue, known as the Merlion proudly stands.

 

The 37m Merlion statue

Making our way through the mosaic garden and down the zig-zag footpath we eventually merged back on the Palawan Beach Walk on our final stretch back to the start.  With one kilometre to go, Chris provides some extra incentive to pick up the pace and the first one back will be rewarded with a Long Island Ice Tea.  Suddenly Veronika's legs just picked up speed and overtook Michelle (rightly so given that Michelle did a 110km bike ride 10 hours earlier) but Veronika had a serious contender in Cindy who came out of nowhere but unfortunately burnt out in the end. Veronika just really wanted the run to be over and that drink in hand and this babe was outta here.

With the 6km fitness session over, it was time for an after-run beach party. It took us nine Team Costa runs to finally have the largest showing and it was a brilliant afternoon with great friends and neighbours.

Route map.