Holiday Weekender: EastSide Lunar New Year Run

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The 'Huat Huat' FatBirds, video courtesy FatBird Mohan

Bunny!!!...the sounds rang throughout the run as about 70 runners from Team FatBird and SgRunners Eastsiders assembled far east to celebrate the coming of the Bunny Year, the year of abundance and good fortune for all of us. As we crossed the 'Bridge Of Prosperity', the cheery runners were chatting and well-wishing one another, all too happy to go on a sight-seeing tour on foot...a feast for the eyes coupled with good cardio and CNY goodies-burning workout.

The sights along Changi Boardwalk were simply awesome, and with the cold sea breeze in our faces, made for a pleasant run to the sounds of the waves and the greetings from friendly anglers of 'Nian Nian You Yu'. At the end of the Boardwalk was a nice rock, symbolic of a solid future ahead for our our runners, and just out at sea was our 'Yi Fan Feng Shun' Smooth Sails for the good tidings and promises of smooth sailing for all our FatBird & Eastside Runners....HUAT AH!

The idyllic settings in the company of good friends and running kakis made for a memorable journey from the Boardwalk to the Loyang Tua Pek Kong (洛陽大伯公). While some were soaking in the prophecies of all the 12 zodiac animals, others helped themselves to the soya bean milk and mi fen, courtesy of the generous temple. There were many visitors and photographers present for some temple celebrations.

While the FatBirds & Bunnies were frolicking at the main entrance, taking photos and posing to calls of 'Bunnieeeee...', shouts of 'Gong Xi Fa Cai' and 'Huat Ah' rang out to the passer-bys and visitors to the temple. The excitement captured the attention of even the official temple photographers who captured the exuberant faces on film on video. We stayed for quite a while as many took turns to take group pics with the cute and lovable bunny pairs, and there was even a 'playboy' amongst them...hehe

Bunnies' Delight @ Tua Pek Kong

The next stop was along the rolling slopes towards the runway, where all of us wished for 'high flying' prospects in terms of career and running performances...many quietly set their PB targets for the upcoming Sundown Marathon and Gold Coast Marathon due in the mid of the year. As we hear the roar of airplanes taking off from the runway, we were filled with anticipation of the marathon trainings that will begin in March, and made resolutions of training hard and doing our best for each of the respective races...Birds Fly, FatBirds Can Run!

FatBird Running Bunnies, video courtesy FatBird Mohan

Solemn FatBirds @ The Changi Chapel

As we return along the undulating slopes to our next destination, we were reminded of the hill training sessions we had, that was so useful in developing the strength in our legs for the much needed endurance and ability to complete a marathon. There was silence as most of us were concentrating on pushing through the slopes, with the occasional shouts of 'Car Coming' from the back. The fun continued all the way to the Changi Chapel...hmm, that many places in the East we were visiting for the first time...thanks to AC Leong, Chris (tekko), Molly, Ngatimin, Nicholas and the EastSiders for carving out the route and showing us such places of interest...and that was not even the final stop. We spent some quiet time at The Chapel with some great photo-taking and a chance for the Christians to pray for good blessings.

With a remaining group of 60 runners, we proceeded to the final place of interest, The Bunker. There was a large tank barrel set with mock-up bunkers in the backdrop. The sun was beating on us by then, and after some quick final shots, we bade the Mystic East farewell before heading back to the start point, Changi Village. A total of 12-15km was covered depending on whether the final stop was skipped. Many of the runners, especially those who have not had the chance to venture to the far eastern side of Singapore, enjoyed the run and tour thoroughly.


Even before the run ended, they were already looking forward to the next FatBird Holiday Weekender. Till then, we would like to thank all the running/tour guides, photographers, bunnies and cheerleaders for making this such a fun and enjoyable Lunar New Year run for all. Of course, we enjoyed the company of all who attended the run and we hope to see you at the next FatBird Run. Here's wishing all of you 'Gong Xi Fa Cai. Tu Nian Xing Da Yun'....HUAT AH!


Facebook Photo Contributions:
FatBird AC
SgRunner Tekko (Chris)
Sunbird Terry Tan Album 1, Album 2, Album3, Album4
Sunbird Cindy Loo
FatBird Ngatimin
FatBird Nicholas
FatBird Weekend Warrior Lokie
FatBird Mohan Album1, Album2, Album3
FatBird Runner Kim Lai Album 1, Album 2
Sunbird Tee Joo
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