The Sundown Marathon 2011 Lead-Up Run #1 on April 1 night was well attended, with a number of runners wanting to return for more. Lead-Up Run #2 was fully registered way ahead of closing, and we did receive a number of requests from fellow runners asking for a place in this morning's run.
This Easter Weekend saw new faces join Team FatBird and Sundown Organizers at The
Playground @ Big Splash for the 20-30km Lead-Up Run #2. While Lead-Up #1 was a BaseBuild training run to shore up the foundation of the marathoner, Lead-Up #2 was at a stage where the runners would be running at target race pace with the Sundown Pacer team. The stage was set for a hot morning, and a special drinks point put up to cater to the runners who would 
be doing 10km loops to be able to get re-hydrated a few times during the run.The briefing started at 7:10am to a crowd of 100+ with the introductions of the Sundown Pace groups as well as the pace and route of the morning. With 6 weeks to Sundown Race day, this 20-30km would be the 3rd final long run before we begin our tapering phase in the 2nd week of May. many of the runners came mentally prepared for the challenge, although some did not bring personal hydration nor fuel. This run would have been a good practice run to test out not only the legs and engines, but the hydration and fuel systems, other essential equipment and gear notwithstanding.
Y-Junction just before the Cable Ski section, they looked very uniformed and steady-paced, a sight to behold, with runners moving in sync with the Pacers. There were cheers, applause and whistles as the respective groups pass one another, with the many other park goers and runners giving their share of support and encouragement.
The first 10km loop was completed in very good pace. The runners looked strong in spite of the hot sun beating down on us. The HM runners went on to complete their 2 laps of 10km with reasonable ease, evident in the confident and happy looks on their faces. Friends and familiar faces kept our spirits up as we looked forward to bumping into them along the way, and hi-5ing or showing the thumbs-up to encourage one another. The drinks-point from Hi-Velocity's support was a godsend, which provided the necessary motivation for the runners to complete their 20km in fine form.
The NightHawk trainees (already into their 7th session) were looking very strong. Some of them have started at 6.30am to beat the blistering sun. For the rest of us, the weather provided good challenges and conditioning opportunities. Many of us took it in the right spirit and attitude, making the LSD so much more bearable. After 20km, the 4:00h group bade farewell to our HM 2:00h comrades-in-arms, before proceeding with the final lap. We were still running strong, and there was always the cheering to look foward to whenever the returning groups pass us. The whistles really perked up the runners and let them know they were doing great work, attempting to complete yet another LSD as part of their Sundown journey.By the 20km mark, the 4:00h, 5:00h and 6:00h groups still managed to retain sizeable teams of runners, although the numbers have dwindled somewhat. Most of those who dropped out early had appointments and church services to rush to; not because they had expended their energy resources. All runners made the cutoff at 11:00am, exactly 3.5hrs after we flagged off the first group. Credit go to the Pacers and Running Guides who had painstakingly tracked the paces as well as the time taken by the Pacees/Trainees, providing guidance and assistance to turn them back at specific check points. Refreshments of 100Plus, bananas and Granola Bars greeted the finishers of the 30km and 20km distances.
Run, Run, Sundown - Yeah!
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