Bub & Me: Safari Zoo Run 2017

Last Saturday we went for our first family run of the year at Safari  Zoo Run 2017! We were up bright and early.. and praise God for the good weather! I still remember the torrential rain we experienced during Safari Zoo Run 2013 haha..thank goodness it was such a wonderful day for outdoor running!

The weekend before that we were at Marina Square to collect our Race Packs.

It was really smooth and for the first time ever, you didn't even need to wait for the event staff to attend to you to search for your bibs and goodies.. you could just use one of the FotoGraft Beta vending machines to collect your race pack items {see here for your runner's entitlement}!! How cool is that! (*＾▽＾)／

These vending machines were apparently just launched recently and event staff were still at hand to help in case there were any problems. The staff told us that in the future, the organisers will probably put them at the various malls for participants to collect their race packs at their own convenience.

All you needed was to either type or scan your IC number / event confirmation number and the machine will print your bib on the spot and dispense the t-shirt {and timing chips for those in the competitive categories}. After that you head to another staff to collect your eco goodie bag and vouchers.

Lil Pumpkin had fun taking the items out of the dispenser bin haha..

Even though our flag-off time for the 5.5km Safari Zoo Family Run was 8am, we reached the zoo about 7am to get a parking lot. After slowly going to the restrooms, wearing our bibs, taking some photos etc. it was about 7.40am and the starting pen was open so we went in..

This year, the Safari Zoo Run is themed "Run for Wildlife" and features 4 animal icons for Safari Zoo Run 2017 - Ah Meng the Orangutan, Chawang the Asian Elephant, Canola the Manatee and Sunny the Hornbill. It focuses on raising awareness for wildlife conservation. Each animal icon team supports an endangered wildlife species that the Singapore Zoo would like to raise awareness for.

Canola the Manatee mascot was there when we were about to start!

The race route was slightly different from the previous times we took part in the Safari Zoo Runs, but we still went through parts of the Singapore Zoo and even the Night Safari.

I think next time when Jurong Bird Park relocates to Mandai as part of a new 126ha eco-tourism hub in northern Singapore the Safari Zoo Run might go through it too??

I really love taking part in the non-competitive Family Run to slowly appreciate and take in the sounds and sights of the 2 wildlife parks in the quiet early morning before the tourists come in..

There's no need to rush, and you can stop at any time for photo opportunities with the animals.

You've to cross the finish line by 10.15am to collect your Finisher's Medal though but 2.5hrs is more than enough time to complete 5.5km even if you are ambling along as we were haha. o(^▽^)o

When we were at the start line, I thought I heard the host announce that there was going to be just 1 water station! But thankfully, there were actually 4 stations along the 5.5km race route.. phew!!

More than enough opportunities to get hydrated even if you didn't bring along your own water bottles.

Ever since DC Justice League Superheroes Run 2015 Lil Pumpkin has been completing our family fun runs without resting in her stroller haha.. even though this route is slightly longer than our usual runs, she still managed it without any whining or requests for us to carry her.

So proud of our little darling! I guess her CrossFit Kids classes has really been paying off in training her conditioning and endurance haha..

The 5.5km Family Run is comfortable not just for the young, but for the old to take part too. I was really happy my mum could join us for the event and have fun as well.

Mandatory shots with the route markers!! We always look out for these whenever we go for our fun runs..

It took us about 20 mins to complete 1 km.

In some runs these route markers can be kind of small but luckily these were big and visible..

One with the whole family ੧(❛▿❛✿)੭

My mum said that we should take one of Lil Pumpkin by herself at the 5km mark since she managed to run/walk the whole route by herself.. she was very proud of her granddaughter too ❤

Only at the last part did the boy happily carry Lil Pumpkin on his shoulder past the finish line ( ᐛ )و

After the Safari Zoo Run, as per our usual practice, we headed to Rainforest Kidzworld in Singapore Zoo to cool down and play at the waterplay area. I thought it would be crowded with the other kids participants but surprisingly, it was pretty empty!!

Perhaps they went to the River Safari as you could enter for free that day as part of your runner's entitlement too.

We've never been to River Safari before but I'm pretty sure Lil Pumpkin would enjoy playing at the water playground much more than walking around again to admire more animals haha.. just look at her happy face in this photo!

Love the cute finisher medals that add to our growing collection of fun run medals but more importantly, I love the memories and experience of being active and taking part in these fun runs with my family.

It really makes you very appreciative of your health and wellness (●´∀｀●)

If you're interested to join Safari Zoo Run next year, keep updated on their website here. Check out the rest of our Bub & Me activities or list of kid-friendly places in Singapore too.

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Safari Zoo Run 2017, Here We Come! + Promo Code

Safari Zoo Run was the first family fun run we ever took part in! ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

It is super fun and we looooooove running through the Singapore Zoo as it shows a different side of the zoo that visitors would otherwise never see!! We participated in it in Safari Zoo Run 2013 and 2014, but unfortunately couldn't make it the past 2 years..

Registration for Safari Zoo Run 2017 just opened last week though and hurray!! Looks like we can go!! #happiness

Safari Zoo Run was conceived to commemorate Singapore Zoo’s famous matriarch and one of Singapore’s most loved animal personalities — Ah Meng the Sumatran orangutan, who died of old age in February 2008. The objectives of this run are to encourage family bonding and raise awareness on wildlife conservation.

This year, the Safari Zoo Run is themed "Run for Wildlife" and features 4 animal icons for Safari Zoo Run 2017 - Ah Meng the Orangutan, Chawang the Asian Elephant, Canola the Manatee and Sunny the Hornbill. It focuses on raising awareness for wildlife conservation. Each animal icon team supports an endangered wildlife species that the Singapore Zoo would like to raise awareness for.

Participants can choose an animal icon team to support and raise awareness for them during the run. Find out more about the animal icons teams here.

I like orang utans the most out of the group so I guess I'd be choosing Team Ah Meng?? hahaha..

These are the different categories and fees for Safari Zoo Run 2017. There's an early bird promo until 30 Nov 2016 and just for my blog readers and friends, enjoy 10% off current rates when you register from now until 15 Jan 2017 using my promo code below!

Yes, the code is valid even during the early bird promotion period (*＾▽＾)／

Promo Code: SZR2017BGPSAKUHARU10

Do note that for the 5.5km Safari Zoo Family Run and 2.5km Safari Zoo Family Dash, individual adult participation is fine {i.e. you don't have to run with family members} but kids cannot run alone... not that I think anybody would want that to do that too haha. Kids under 12 years old require adult supervision by a registered participant and due to safety reasons, one adult can only take care and be paired with one kid in the non-competitive race.

As with past years, the runner's race pack is pretty awesome and makes the registration fee pretty good value-for-money, especially when you use my promo code for the additional discounts haha:

• Safari Zoo Run 2017 Race Apparel worth $39.90
• Safari Zoo Run 2017 Finisher’s Medal
• Free admission to Singapore Zoo worth $33 {on 18 Feb 2017 only}
• Free admission to River Safari worth $30 {after 12.30pm on 18 Feb 2017 only}
• 50% discount voucher to Jurong Bird Park that saves you $14.50 {till 31 Mar 2017}
• 50% discount voucher to Night Safari that saves you $22.50 {till 31 Mar 2017}
• Exclusive F&B and Retail offers {on 18 Feb 2017 only}

I'm thinking of signing up for the 5.5km Safari Zoo Family Run. For our last 2 family runs this year {My Little Pony Friendship Run & Snoopy Run} we haven't been using Lil Pumpkin's stroller but she still needed us to carry her at some points due to tiredness haha.. I hope to build up her endurance to run the whole way on her own for this upcoming run and will be planning some practice runs and hikes with her (⌒▽⌒)☆ We will probably practise at part of the Zoo route too since we recently got the Friends of the Zoo family membership which gives us unlimited entry into the Singapore Zoo ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ

If you're going to join the run, holler out to me!! Hope to see you there! ✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧ Check out the rest of our Bub & Me activities or list of kid-friendly places in Singapore too.

Promo: Quote SZR2017BGPSAKUHARU10 for 10% OFF current rates. Valid until 15 Jan 2017.

Safari Zoo Run 2017
Date: Sat 18 Feb 2017
Time: From 6am
Venue: Singapore Zoo, 80 Mandai Lake Road
Website: http://safarizoo.run/

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Celebrate Moments that Matter with Wildlife Parks #MyMandai

The long Chinese New Year weekend is coming up!! Other than the usual visiting and feasting, have you made plans??

We'll probably try to head down to the Jurong Bird Park / Night Safari since we haven't been there in yeaaaars, or maybe even River Safari since we haven't been there in like, erm, ever???! So shocker, right? haha

Above pic was taken at Singapore Zoo in Nov 2015 when we were there for Lil Pumpkin's K2 graduation ceremony!! Oh my.. haven't even gotten down to writing about it yet eeks~

I'm quite sure most Singaporeans have been to our wildlife parks at least once. Do you remember how joyous your kids were when you took them to visit koalas and giraffes at the zoo, or pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia at the River Safari? What about your own first outing to the zoo or bird park?

Sometimes it's the littlest things that we remember. The sounds. The sights. And yes, even the smells (⌒▽⌒)☆

From now until end Feb 2016, Mandai Safari Park Holdings, the organisation overseeing the rejuvenation of Mandai into an integrated wildlife and nature heritage space, wants to celebrate our unforgettable moments at our wildlife parks and is hosting a #MyMandai Memories online photo-sharing event to showcase nostalgia and the important social impact of these beloved parks over the past 45 years through the public’s eyes.

The photos collected will eventually form a mural wall at Singapore Zoo's entrance for public viewing for two months, from 1 Feb to 31 Mar 2016.

All you have to do is to submit photos taken at any of the four parks: Singapore Zoo, River Safari, Night Safari or Jurong Bird Park since they were established {I saw some that were taken in the 1970s!} and you could be rewarded with a S$10 food and beverage Wildlife Reserves Singapore voucher to be used at any of the wildlife parks!

In addition, a winner with the most interesting photo submission each week will receive a S$100 Wildlife Reserves Singapore food and beverage voucher.


#MyMandai honours Singapore’s 45 years of wildlife heritage and serves as a prelude to the proposed rejuvenation of the Mandai Nature Precinct. Collectively, the parks have helped parents nurture their kids, build friendships and cement relationships through truly fun-filled journeys which have inspired generations of Singaporeans through the wonders of Mother Nature.

Check out this video or visit the #MyMandai gallery to see what our beloved wildlife parks mean to Singaporeans from all walks of life. You can find out more information about the contest on #MyMandai website too.

Each photo entry must be submitted via mymandai.com or via [email protected] by 29 Feb 2016, 2359hrs. Each contributor can submit up to 5 photos.

I'm gonna dig up some of our old Zoo photos to submit, and hopefully add on new ones after our next wildlife park visit too! ♥

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Energizer Night Trail Singapore 2013

Last Saturday we went for our first Energizer Night Trail Singapore. Running a trail is so much more challenging than running on a road, especially at night! Thank goodness we started training early! It would be much better if we practised more on trails like at MacRitchie Reservoir, but no worries, it was all in good fun!

There's various race categories ranging from 6 - 18km for men & women trail races, and 1.5 - 3km for family-friendly parent-child obstacle races in the jungle. The parent-child obstacle races are very popular, just like those for the Safari Zoo Run. Even though race time is recorded, and prizes are given to the top finishers, the focus is help each and every participant complete the races. Do expect to get dirty and muddy though! ;p

This year's Energizer Night Trail took place at Lorong Asrama for the 3rd time in a row, opposite Mandai Lake Road. Lorong Asrama is a restricted area that's often used for army training, if I'm not wrong. It was my first time at that venue and boy, was it ulu {local term for deserted}! There's no parking at the event site, and participants had to take public transport or the event shuttle bus service to get there.

At first I felt it was quite inconvenient to not be able to drive up to the venue, but luckily the event shuttle bus service was very reliable. We parked at Causeway Point, which is near Woodlands MRT Station, then took the shuttle which was located just opposite Exit C. The shuttle buses arrived in intervals of 15 minutes, and it was just a 15 minutes ride to the venue from there. Not tooooo bad ;)

The Energizer Carnival was held in conjunction with the Night Trail from 3-9 pm. We arrived there in the evening to have some fun with Lil Pumpkin just before our 6km race. All games and rides {Reverse Bungee, Rodeo Ride, Rockwall, Vapour Blaster Games Station, Netball etc.} were free! Quick note though - don't ride the rodeo bull before your run. My thighs were aching even hours later!

The kids Treasure Hunt ticket cost S$2/try and all proceeds went to their adopted charity - Singapore Disability Sport Council. All children participants of the obstacle races received a complimentary Treasure Hunt Ticket in their race kits though. Lil Pumpkin really enjoyed this activity!

The Energizer Night Trail is definitely very thrilling, and unique from the rest of the runs offered in Singapore. Although there's light from your Energizer LED headlight {given in the race kit} guiding you over your distance, it still can be a little scary, especially for those not used to running on trails... like me hahaha. Check out the rest of the photos from Energizer Night Trail Singapore Facebook page and look out to register on their website if you are interested!


* Disclosure: The event coverage of  Energizer Night Trail Singapore was due to an invitation from Energizer Singapore & Pink Apple Pte Ltd. No monetary compensation was received, and all opinions are my own.

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