By Chian Han Keong

GET down and dirty with the joys of off-road running, as about 2,400 runners found out at yesterday's Salomon X-Trail 10km Run at the Tampines Mountain Biking Trail.

Indeed, running enthusiasts here are starting to embrace this grittier alternative to traditional road races such as marathons.

Compared to road races, off-road running demands vastly different techniques, as runners negotiate steep slopes and rugged terrain that provide stiffer challenges than those posed by the shorter 4.8km cross-country route at MacRitchie Reservoir.

Said undergraduate Chang Ee Pin: "You have to select your running paths correctly because there may be jagged or loose rocks on the route.

"If you lose concentration, step on a rock and sprain your ankle, that's the end of the race for you.

"And when you run downhill, you have to control your pace and not run faster than your legs allow. Otherwise you will tire easily or suffer injuries."

During yesterday's 10km run, participants had to negotiate a route that is normally used by mountain bikers.

There were streams and giant puddles along the trail, and undulating terrain that forced the runners to climb and descend slope after slope.

Experienced runners suggest that getting the right equipment - lightweight shoes with good traction and waterproof material - would be helpful in off-road running.

However, Jonathan Wyatt - a seven-time winner of the World Mountain Running Championships who was invited to yesterday's run - highlights another important criterion for enjoying such races.

"You need to love nature," said the 36-year-old New Zealander.

"I do, and I find it so much easier to run an hour off the roads, as compared to on them.

"You will eventually find that you'll get fewer injuries as compared to (what you'll get from) constantly pounding on hard road surfaces."

Now based in Italy, Wyatt clocks about 140km of training a week in hilly Alpine terrain.

He finished third-fastest in yesterday's race, where the best time was recorded by the men's Open winner, Jason Lawrence, with 33min 58.25sec.

Vanessa Smith won the women's Open in 44:53.45, while Anthony Seakins (39:02.11) and Lewnes Itsuko (42:16.59) won the men's and women's veteran categories (age 45 and above) respectively.

hankeong@sph.com.sg

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