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MOUNTAIN biking trails are not just for bikers. You can run on them too. Going up and down the man-made, short, steep hills can make your run feel like a roller-coaster ride. When Saini Hassan was asked to find a location for the Salomon X-Trail Run on Sunday, the race director went around Singapore searching for a scenic, accessible location with plenty of slopes and obstacles to enhance the running experience. He found the Tampines Mountain Biking Trail, right smack in the heartlands. 'I saw how the mountain bikers were having so much fun on the trail. It's hardy enough to be able to take on so many bikers, so it should be able to withstand thousands of feet pounding on it,' said Saini, 32, business development manager for Water-Venture. 'Singaporeans are getting fitter and they want to try more obstacles. Running on rugged terrain kills the boredom, as it also means runners need to be more alert when they run,' added Saini. It is important to wear the right type of shoes and learn the correct running technique. Stick to the trail and keep clear of the undergrowth and swampy areas. If you have to, walk across them. And, of course, prepare to get dirty. Saini recced the 10-km route more than 10 times before race day to ensure that it was safe for the 3,000 runners who turned up for the race. For many of the participants, it was their first run on a trail. Said Bryan Lim, 27, a civil servant: 'I've participanted in many races before but trail running is very different. There were many obstacles along the 10km route which I consider to be relatively short. 'We ran through pools of mud and water. I actually find it quite liberating to be 'roughing' it out and getting my legs all muddy and wet. 'It's a refreshing experience and I will be back next year!'
Tips from a running coach Wear the right type of shoes. The soles of normal running shoes are made for speed and forward running. Hence they can be slippery on steep, gravel slopes. Trail running shoes are designed to take on different types of terrain and are made for side-stepping on gravel slopes. Never run alone. Ideally, run with two more buddies. Trail running can be exciting but there is a danger of getting injured if one is not careful. When accidents happen, one person can run out of the course to seek help and the other buddy can stay and look after the injured runner. Do not run after 7pm. Most mountain biking trails are not lit at night. And low visibility under moonlight makes running on such trails unsafe. Learn to side-step down a steep slope. Avoid running on planks, bridges and logs made for the mountain bikers. Those structures are not designed for running. Watch out for bikers. Step to the side to give way to them. No music please. You need to be constantly alert to know the obstacle ahead.
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