Southeast Asia’s premier eco-run, NTUC Income RUN 350, saw a record number of over 12,000 runners, more than 500 volunteers and 21 partners in the early morning of 27 April 2014 at the F1 Pit Building.
Now in its fifth year, the race, organised by Young NTUC welcomed participants from 64 different countries who participated in two categories – 10km run and the 350m Kids Dash.
RUN 350 aims to raise awareness of the climate crisis facing our Mother Earth.
Also widely known as an eco-run, RUN 350 became the first run in Singapore to introduce its inaugural Medal Recycling Campaign which collected a whopping 6,482 donated medals island-wide.
The collected medals were then recycled and awarded to the finishers of the race.
(from left): Mr Seah Keng Tia, Young NTUC Committee Chairperson, Ms Eveline Lee, Young NTUC Committee Vice-Chairperson (Service Sector), Ms K Thanaletchimi, Advisor for U Games, Mr Patrick Tay, Assistant Secretary General of NTUC, Mr Steve Tan, Executive Secretary of Young NTUC, Mr Marcus Chew, Vice President, Strategic Marketing of NTUC Income during the 10km flag-off at NTUC Income RUN 350, Organised by Young NTUC.
Steve Tan, Executive Secretary of Young NTUC, expressed his gratitude to everyone who came to support the event’s environmental cause.
Mr Tan also mentioned that this year’s Run 350 surpassed last year’s record number of participants.
“What started as a little dream of a group of like-minded young people has become an annual event in the local environmental grid and local sporting calendar. RUN 350 has taken off far beyond our wildest imagination and we thank everyone involved in this year’s event for helping us to make our dream a reality,” he said.
Kids ran for a greener tomorrow by participating in the 350m Kids Dash category at NTUC Income RUN 350, Organised by Young NTUC. (Photo courtesy of Young NTUC)
Mr Marcus Chew, Vice President, Strategic Marketing, NTUC Income said, “The record turnout this year and the public’s enthusiastic participation in the Medal Recycling Campaign leading up to the Run are evidence that support of the 350 Movement is gathering momentum. NTUC Income is glad to play a part in creating a better tomorrow for our loved ones.”
RUN 350 also embarked on many green initiatives this year including encouraging participants to partake in the Bring-Your-Own-Bottle (BYOB) initiative to training runs as well as to the actual race.
The effort helped to reduce the use of disposable plastic bottles and paper cups.
On-site, there were over 200 bicycle racks available for participants who chose to cycle to the race venue.
Eco partners of the race also set up booths to showcase their various causes such as 350 Singapore and Ground-Up Initiative.
It's never too young to start saving the environment. A child doing his part for the environment by taking part in the 350m Kids Dash category and writing a pledge on the environmental pledge wall at NTUC Income RUN 350, Organised by Young NTUC. (Photo courtesy of Young NTUC)
Run 350 also collaborated with the Public Hygiene Council to drive litter-free messages to runners.
Race booklets, electronic messages and the event’s Facebook page were utilised to remind runners to keep the event site litter-free.
More than 200 volunteers were also assigned to advise runners against littering on the day of the race.
Unionists from the Labour Movement also joined Run 350 as part of the annual inter-union sports tournament, the U Games, which is now on its sixth year. “U Sports is glad to be part of this eco-run where members from different unions could race in friendly competition while showing their support to the cause and our environment,” said Mr Yeo Khee Leng, Chief Executive Officer, NTUC Club.
