SingaporeMotherhood | Preschooler & Up
January 2017
15 Super Fun Kids’ Runs to Sign Your Active Child Up For This Year
There’s no doubt that Singapore is a run-crazy nation. But which ones are suitable for your little ones to take part in? We bring you a list of 15 fun kids runs to look out for in the year ahead.
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Made a New Year’s resolution to get back to your fit and fab old self? Wouldn’t it be great if you could sweat it out with your kids in tow while fulfilling it? Do just that when you sign your family up for family-friendly runs that welcome little ones with open arms. We think it’s also a great way for parents to impart the importance of an active lifestyle to their children at a young age! Oh, and have we mentioned that some of these runs are cartoon character themed? Kiddos will be looking forward to getting their hands on that finisher medal – fast or slow, everyone gets one!
We’ve rounded up 15 of the most fun kids runs to look out for over the next few months, so mark your calendars! On your mark, get set, go!
(See also: Fitness For Kids – It’s Never Too Early!)
1. MetaSprint Series – Aquathlon 2017
Does junior love a good splash about in the water as much as a race on land? The MetaSprint Series – Aquathlon 2017 is the perfect way for you to let him have his first taste of an aquathlon then! With its calm waters and scenic landscape, Palawan Beach sets the perfect stage for a swim race. The race route on land is shaded for the most part, so little ones can stay cool to focus on letting their legs do the talking!
When: 12 February 2017
Where: Palawan Beach, Sentosa
Distance: swim 150m and run 1.5km
How much: from $47
2. Safari Zoo Run 2017
The Safari Zoo Run was started to commemorate Singapore Zoo’s famous matriarch and one of our country’s beloved animal personalities, Ah Meng the orang-utan, which passed on in February 2008. If your children are animal lovers, sign them up for the Kids Dash to increase their awareness of wildlife conservation while sweating it out! Prizes up for grabs for the top three runners include a Crystal Trophy, a SPIbelt worth $36 and ZooMoov merchandise.
When: 18 February 2017
Where: Singapore Zoo
Distance: 2.5km
How much: $55
3. Venus Run Singapore 2017
The Venus Run was born in order to mark International Women’s Day which falls on the 8th of March each year. Although the run mainly targets women, the 5km route welcomes children as well! This fun run at Bedok Reservoir will bring you on a journey of scenic sights that Mother Nature has to offer. There will also be fringe activities for little ones, working mothers, grandmothers and even the husbands to take part in at the end of the course!
When: 11 March 2017
Where: Bedok Reservoir
Distance: 5km
How much: from $33
4. MetaSprint Series – Duathlon 2017
Here’s your chance to find out whether junior has what it takes to be the next Lance Armstrong. Sign him up for the MetaSprint Series – Duathlon 2017 to put those pedalling skills to the test! The 5km track at the F1 Village offers young ones a safe yet thrilling duathlon experience. The roads are straight and the two U-turns of the cycling course are wide enough for kids who are relatively new to cycling to handle. So there’s no need for parents to worry about safety!
When: 19 March 2017
Where: F1 Village
Distance: cycle 5km and run 1km
How much: from $47
5. Meiji Run 2017
Do your kids love chocolate-filled Hello Panda biscuits, Yan-Yan biscuit sticks, or yummy strawberry flavoured Meiji milk? This is one delicious fun run you wouldn’t want to miss then! The Meiji Run rewards its finishers young and old with a delectable Meiji Snack Hamper worth $20 along with a finisher medal upon completing the run. Don’t forget to pop by the Meiji Fair which will be offering Meiji products at amazing prices – find it just outside the start/end point at Palawan Green.
When: 20 May 2017
Where: Sentosa (Palawan Green)
Distance: 5km
How much: $55
6. Cold Storage Kids Run 2017
The Cold Storage Kids Run will be back in 2017 for its tenth consecutive year. The organisers have promised that it’s going to be bigger and better than ever before – we can’t wait! You can sign your children up for the Sprint – choose from Speedy Orange, Sporty Apple and Boogey Banana – or Family Fun categories. The latter means you can team up with your kids, bond with them over exercise and have a jolly good time together! Little ones from as young as six months old can be part of this super child-friendly run – in strollers, of course.
When: 21 May 2017
Distances: 800m and 1.6km
7. Spartan Junior Race 2017
The Spartan Race isn’t just for the grown-ups. There’s also an awesome Spartan obstacle race course specially designed for mini warriors. Kids will get to crawl, climb, tumble and jump their way through exciting physical challenges that will go a long way in helping them develop an active lifestyle. Along with the usual Junior medals and finisher t-shirts, this year’s race will see brand new Spartan Junior merchandise coming your way. So sign your active tots up because you just can’t put an age on the Spartan spirit!
When: 6 May 2017
Distances: 0.5km, 1km and 2km
How much: $48
(See also: Here’s Why You Should Visit BOUNCE, Singapore’s Newest Trampoline Park!)
8. Snoopy Run
The Snoopy Run came to Singapore for the first time ever in April 2016, and we hope it’ll be returning this year! Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy and the rest of the adorable Peanuts gang were out and about at the Singapore Sports Hub to delight fans young and old with memorable photo opportunities. Everyone’s favourite beagle was also on display in massive proportions for that Instagram worthy shot. Little ones will love the finisher medal which features Snoopy and his faithful comrade, Woodstock!
9. POSB Passion Run for Kids
Organised in collaboration with The People’s Association, the annual POSB Passion Run for Kids ensures that all proceeds go towards providing underprivileged children with a brighter future. If you’re ready to make a difference, get your child a pair of running shoes and sign her up for this run for a cause! What’s more, there will be a fun-filled family carnival in the heart of Marina Bay to look forward to after the run. You can expect live performances and giveaways. Admission is free for everyone – even if you’re not running!
When: September 2017*
Where: The Promontory @Marina Bay
Distances: 800m and 1.2km
10. My Little Pony Friendship Run
February 2016 was a great month for little fans of My Little Pony for the My Little Pony Friendship Run made its way to Singapore for the first time ever. It was all about celebrating good times and cherishing friendships as older children participated in the six kilometre Besties Run. There was also the four kilometre Fun Run and the one kilometre Pony Kids Run which allowed parents to run alongside their little ones. Post-race fringe activities were set up at the Ponyville Marketplace at Sentosa to delight young fans of the magical ponies.
11. BIG Farm Walk & Run
Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city lifestyle by signing your family up for the BIG Farm Walk & Run. Organised by Choa Chu Kang GRC and Hong Kah North SMC, it’s said to be the most scenic farm walk and run in Singapore! Registering your children for the Kids Dash will entitle them to a t-shirt, finisher medal, goodie bag and a chance to take part in a lucky draw. There’s also a free shuttle bus service that operates from 6am onwards to ensure that your commute to the flag-off point is made easier.
When: October 2017*
Where: Brickland Road
Distances: 400m and 816m
12. Spongebob Run Singapore
The first ever Spongebob Run in Asia took place at the iconic Siloso Beach at Sentosa in August last year. Participants were tasked with the mission of finding Spongebob’s best friend, Patrick Star, at the last attraction of the route – Spongebob’s pineapple shaped residence. Sounds fun, no? Little ones are sure to have a ball of a time! So if you’d like your kids to journey through the underwater city of Bikini Bottom with Spongebob Squarepants and friends, look out for this fun run later this year!
13. Looney Tunes Fun Run
Kids who adore the classic Looney Tunes clan – Daffy Duck, Tasmanian Devil, Tweety Bird, Bugs Bunny and Sylvester The Cat – will want to be part of the Looney Tunes Fun Run. The five kilometre fun run took place at Sentosa in January last year. Will there be one this year as well? We sure hope so! Runners got to pose for photographs with Bugs Bunny and Tweety Bird in 2016’s edition of the race. There was also a bouncy castle for the little ones to go bonkers at following the fun run, so be sure to look out for its announcement in the coming months!
14. Garfield Run
Ah. Garfield. The notoriously lazy feline may not be a big fan of exercise but he sure knows the importance of being physically fit – for the rest of us, of course. Get your little ones to show Garfield the benefits of regular exercise by joining in the fun at the Garfield Run! The Garfield Run 2016 helped out the Cat Welfare Society to raise much needed funds in order to continue its life-saving work. So you’ll be helping to save cat lives – all nine of them – when you sign your kitty-loving children up for this fun race.
When: November 2017*
Where: The Promontory @Marina Bay
Distance: 1km and 3km
15. Pokémon Run SG
Southeast Asia’s first ever Pokémon themed fun run took place at The Promontory @Marina Bay just earlier this month. Participants young and old immersed themselves into the life of a Pokémon Trainer and set out to catch various cute Pokémon along the race route. They also got their hands on an irresistible race pack which comprised an exclusive drawstring bag, event t-shirt, finisher medal, exclusive Pokéball, run towel, and a personalised trainer’s bib. Guess who led the warm-up prior to the race? Everyone’s favourite Pokémon, Pikachu, of course! Let’s hope ardent fans get to catch ‘em all in 2018 too!
The above stated dates, venues and prices for runs taking place in 2017 are accurate at the time of publication.
*tentative and may be subject to changes
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