Beer Run 2010

This year’s Beer Run, organised by members of Eastern Night Riders (ENR), took place last night, 17 December, Friday, at 8.00pm. Led by SK Lim, and ably supported by fund-raising duo, Reeves Lim and Anne, Alex Slattery, Edward Kor, Bill Chan and Team Bandung (photographer, Kat). Junior Lee helped procure sponsorship by Asia Pacific Breweries (and private sponsors) of the festive beer, Tiger Crystal. That evening, we raised more than $1,345.00 for the Mainly I Love Kids (MILK) Fund – a charity for at-risk youths. [Photo: Reeves & third-place (Men's) finisher, Danny Wan]

Craig Slattery provided the pre-race briefing, where the 21 participants had to simulate the three legs of triathlon with appropriate attire and gear. The modus operandi of this 3X700m circuit observed these requirements:

Down a pint of beer (bottled); run first loop in swim gear (cap and goggles); change into bike outfit (helmet and shades); down second bottle; run second loops; change into running cap/visor & sunshades; drink the third bottle of beer; run the third and final lap; down the fourth and last bottle; announce ‘Cheers!’ and walk across the finish line. Tada! For non-drinkers and WAGs, we provided 100-Plus fizzy sports drink.

Clifford Lee blared his ‘Human Horn’ – a very good impression that startled a few curious bystanders. That evening, we surprised many after-dinner, strollers with his siren. The runners each, nervously, drank their beer, before rushing into the semi-darkness to run their first of three uncomfortable laps. I assure you, there were many moments of unenviable burps. Having raced this last year (and runner-up behind Marco, who was overseas last night), I can attest to the relevance to the burping strategy. Clear your stomach of residual effervescence, and pace yourself for this is an unusual middle-distance run.

3:12, Boston Marathon finisher, 42-year-old Robson Phan and I went for it, step-for-step, throughout most of the race. We ‘braced the tape’ almost at the same time, and I suspect by the breadth of a sip. He is, undisputedly, and consistently a very good runner. We then awaited the other race finishers. In this race, we had no finisher medals or t-shirts. Like a Hash Run, we had plenty of beer to drink. Robson did a 'reverse' after the end-point, and foamed.

Four of us stood on the podium, made of cartons of 100-Plus and beer: Robson, Danny Wan, Genevieve (who rounded up the top-woman category) and I took our celebratory shots. Each of us won a carton of Tiger Crystal Beer, useful for the upcoming festive period. Thereafter, we took plenty of group shots as more drinks circulated and, by the time we proceeded to the hawker-centre, quite a few of us were slightly inebriated.

It was a fun and memorable race! We have higher expectations and criteria for next year, and an alternate fund to consider. 365 more sleeps to go!


Photo-credits: Clifford Lee & Kathleen Sng