National Vertical Marathon 2019

National Vertical Marathon 2018

The greater race was getting to the venue after rounds.

National Vertical Marathon 2017

Four.

A risky investment. Thankfully, there was ROI.

The race was initially meant to be 34 storeys up, 13 down. Deceiving. As I'd estimate that these 34 storeys were closer to 55 of a HDB block. The descent was cut away a week before the race due to safety concerns, which was indeed legitimate.

First up was the Men's Open. The podium was the target. A 6-min ascent would be icing on the cake. Without the descent, I was confident I'd be quicker than Kai Peng (he's the best I know when it comes to descending!). With 4 categories for the day ahead, I was happy to place behind Yaner. Furthermore, I did sincerely feel he deserved to win Tembusu Vertical instead of me (this was likely due to my fortune in starting in an earlier wave). Both of us aside, the next question was, would there be others to contend with?

I saw Kien Mau while I was registering with Noel and Joel. He informed me he had many categories for the day. Like 6. He told me he had trained with his friends. Was he as quick with the stairs as he was on the track?

Indeed he was. Blazing. 5:40ish. My 6:08 paled in comparison. Surprisingly, that took me to third place (just behind Yaner at 5:56) at 8ish in the morning and that remained all the way till the end of the Men's Open. Missed the prize presentation but I've come to realise that it didn't matter at all to me. I was in the competition for prizes and the medals. The medals I desired to dedicate to my family. The prizes were meant to bless others and for some personal utility.

Credit to Pixelinc.

I had time to kill after the first category. It would be a long day ahead. My first climb began around 7.45am, while the others were to begin at 12.15pm, 12.45pm and 5.45pm. I had the company of some from church. There were multiple game booths and free snacks available to occupy participants as well.

It was time for the next two categories which offered little respite between. I was to race the Team Open with Kai Peng, Konan, Clarissa and Pyone before racing back down to begin the NTU Team with Lester, Yi Heng, Sai and Li Sin. I climbed the Team Open consistently, with a pretty decent timing of 6:13 despite ensuring some reserves for the next race. The rest of the guys were pretty solid as well, as they were adequately experienced with stair climbing.

I'm really bad at this.

Unfortunately, the NTU Team was arguably less experienced. I kept warning them to START SLOW! Yet the guys disappeared above me quickly. Which meant it was only a matter of time that I caught up. Nonetheless, the overall performance was pretty solid.  

Credit to Pixelinc.

Then came a decent interval for R&R before the final category. Caught up with the NTU crossers and took the time to visit the National Library to study 😅

The last category (Open Relay) was probably my most intense race for the day. Being the relay, it meant we had way less to climb. I recalled from last year's NVM that a short race meant a more intense race. This was likely to be a 2min climb - which is way more intense than a 6min one. It was so quick that I didn't have the time to break a sweat.

Credit to National Vertical Marathon's Facebook page.

The relay involved 3 climbers per team. There were probably about 7 teams within our wave - of which the hottest competition would arise from. The transition points were at the 14th and 26th floor in order to provide 3 segments for each team. I was to be the second runner behind Kai Peng, while Clarissa would anchor. 

As I took the lift with other 2nd runners to the 14th floor, Richard talked to me. I recognised him from previous verticals - he was a solid climber, but a fatigued one as well as he had just completed the Corporate Relay. He told me that he felt my team stood a chance of "beating the ang-mohs". I didn't quite see any of them. I told him his team was probably gonna be quicker than mine, though I'd do my best as well.

The first leg climbers arrived rapidly. Kien Mau led, followed by Bryan right behind and Kai Peng came up a few seconds later. The two ahead of me were off very quickly. I was doing my best to be controlled yet optimal in my effort. The gap wasn't closing.

It was only within the last few floors whereby I suddenly caught them very quickly. Within a flight or two, I flew past both climbers. Richard had very kindly given me the inside lane (the rails). In the final few flights, it seemed like I gained 5 seconds. Clarissa was off.

And apparently she led till the final flight, whereby jostling occurred. It was pretty stormy weather thereafter. In more ways than one.

Tembusu Vertical Marathon 2017

Aching calves.

Blessed.

Photo credits: Yong Jian

Long awaited; blessed.

What was also long awaited was me getting down to writing about this event. What drew my attention to this was both the cause (supporting Tembusu College's tCambodia) and the activity (stair-climbing).

I was particularly keen to start in an early wave for this event as a stairwell is only so wide. Furthermore, I had to rush off to classes after I was done. Thankfully, I started in the first wave.

I found myself leading initially. Then again, waves were of tiny groups of about 5 and not even segregated by gender. It wasn't long before a female climber caught up with me. Judging from her movements however, I suspected I would soon catch up and she'd probably be in lots of pain.

The route was pretty complex as besides the stairs, some careful navigation was needed. Unfamiliarity wasn't of any use. Nonetheless, I didn't take this race too seriously. I was certain I would secure a podium, the exact position wouldn't matter too much to me. And I had another race with the NTU Cross team in the afternoon.

With a controlled ascent of the first block of 20-odd floors, I began my first descent. I quickly heard pounding footsteps approaching from behind - it had to be Kai Peng. Unsurprisingly, he passed me. This meant he probably had gained a good 20 seconds on me since he had started in the second wave.

I quickly knew why he was so fast with this - he flew down the flights of stairs. 

The rest of the race was just a repetition of ascending a block before descending. It got progressively harder. Lots of concentration is required in a stair race as footing and even the number of steps matters tremendously. Cut an unnecessary step and you'd save a fraction of a second. Do this for... many flights... and it adds up.

Eventually, I was back down to the ground and conservatively sprinted towards the Finish. Kai Peng was waiting.

I also caught a quick word with Yaner who was queuing for his wave's start. To be honest, Yaner's definitely a faster climber than me, though I didn't know about his descents. Nonetheless, the Men's Open was mine due to my fortunate first wave start.

Next up is NVM 2017 - multiple categories!

National Vertical Marathon 2016

I was certainly going to register for this race when registration opened. It was a well-organised race last year (I wished I had started participating earlier), furthermore there were wonderfully sponsored goodie bags. Not to mention I was an NTU student in support of the NTU Sports Club. Lastly, it was a realistic chance to clinch some attractive prizes. 

It was one of the rare races that didn't inflate its registration fees - priced at $26 for the Open category, just like in 2015. In addition, Philip suggested we form a team to participate in the Open Relay category. I welcomed the idea and thus a team was formed - Philip, myself, Yaner and Julia.

My reporting time for my Open Men's race was 7.00am. As Noel's reporting time was 7.30am, we got a lift down to the venue, reaching just after 7. A slight drizzle greeted us, hence most participants took cover in the shelter of the surrounding buildings. I was understandably a little nervous. Firstly, I forgot to indicate my interest to run in the same wave as other participants eg Russell, hence I had no company initially. Furthermore, I was keen to improve on my timing from last year's edition, hence I knew I had to go in with a bit of a plan - to pace well and then try hard towards the latter stages.

I proceeded to collect my race pack. This year's race tee was light blue - sadly a little less appealing than last year's.I was initially scheduled to be in Detail 25 Lane B, with the race timing to be 7.48am. However, due to missing individuals etc, the numbers were not strictly adhered to (which made sense, especially if some original details had multiple absentees). I was scheduled with 5 other individuals for Detail 20, based on chronological order. Had a brief chat with an NTU-alumnus named Eric just to ease the tension before the start of the race. At just after 8am, we were flagged off, our category proceeding along Staircase A.

Sizing up my fellow participant. Credit to NVM's Facebook.

I proceeded into a run and thus led my small pack of fellow climbers. One the climbing started, I ensured I stuck to a realistic pace, knowing that fatigue would catch up with me before long. Initially, a runner behind seemed to start catching up with me. I continually grabbed the handrails, making every step as efficient as possible. Based on my experience from the Ulu Pandan Vertical 2016, I had started off a little too quickly hence faltered and lost concentration towards the final third. I knew that in this longer race, getting the correct foot placement was paramount.

The first drink station passed at the 15th floor, which I skipped. I had started overtaking participants from earlier details since about the 10th floor onwards. All were willing to give way - as long as they noticed I was approaching. I was glad to hug the inside of the rail on most occasions as I gained leverage from it. I could sense the gradual fatigue building up as I reached the 33th floor in 5:05. It seemed like I was on course to improve my timing if I could maintain the pace!

I felt the discomfort, more acutely now, at around the 40th floor. A few floors later, I glanced up again. This was the phase where focus was absolutely necessary - balancing the coordination between the lungs and limbs while trying to utilise as much reserves as I had. Finally I had the 63rd floor and thereafter the floor numbers disappeared - yet I knew it would be anytime soon. Then came the all too familiar open door - an indication that the top was very near now. I sprinted along the short straight and finally emerged at the highest point, dashing past the line. I stopped my watch in 10:14. I was pleased.

Credit to Firefly Photography.

Hydration (100 Plus) was available at the top as we collected our finisher's medals. There were also wet wipes handed out, along with a photo point (not quite a booth) to capture the backdrop of panoramic scenery. I had the chance to talk to Eric and another runner named Keegan. Thereafter, it was a time for a short break before my return in the afternoon. And just before heading out - I received a pleasant phonecall :)

Apparently just in time. Credit to NVM's Facebook.

As I returned for my second event of the day - the Open Relay. This event was a relay race. The three transition zones were the 15th floor, the 32nd floor and the 44th floor. Being the freshest participant - I was to take the final leg - undoubtedly the toughest climb of all.

It wasn't till nearly 4pm that our team was flagged off. 6 relay teams were flagged off at the same time, with only the first climber of each team starting from the ground floor, while the other climbers were distributed at the higher levels. I was thankful to be climbing this with the company of Philip (the leader), Yaner and Julia - who had positioned themselves in that order as well. The stair rail started shaking - marking the start of the relay. Before long, a girl was emerging and I knew it would be Julia.

With a quick tap of the hand, it was now my turn to execute the climb. The first few floors of my leg (up to 48) were pretty straightforward, with two flights of stairs per level. Thereafter came a short transition to three flights per floor. This was particularly challenging as it was difficult to find rhythm. I knew it was important to concentrate on my rhythm (as opposed to pure exertion) as stair-climbing was definitely more technical than running.

The relay was by far more energy-sapping that the previous climb of the entire building. Though I was climbing about 22 storeys (44th floor to the top - approximately 66 storeys), the pace soon left my lungs and lungs burning. My saving grace was that it didn't last too long - I stopped my watch just after I passed the Finish (timing mat) in about 2:30.

Yaner, Julia, myself and Philip :) Credit to Firefly Photography.

With Yaner and Kai Peng.

Blessed.

A sizeable improvement from last year's edition! :) By all of us in fact!

Ulu Pandan Vertical Run 2016

Having been informed that it would be recurring this year, I didn't hesitate about signing up. As much as I felt improvements could have been made during last year's inaugural edition, I wanted to support this (and perhaps reclaim a podium finish).

This time, the Men's Open was to be the last group to be flagged-off. As usual, there were some delays. I had queued towards the front, just ahead of Kai Peng and Yaner. We were all keen from avoiding congestion as last year, we were assigned in numerical order (imaging running through a huge crowd along a narrow stairwell). Thankfully, this time round, the sequence of starts were based on a first-come, first-serve basis. During the wait, I had the chance to chat with both of them, thus easing the pre-race jitters. They were undoubtedly very strong competitors, if anything I hazarded a guess that with less congestion this year, Yaner could emerge 1st.

It wasn't too long (just before 10.50am) that we were flagged off at 10 second intervals. I probably started a bit quickly and haughtily. As much as this was a short race, rhythm was vital and I had some poorly placed steps which possibly contributed to sacrifice of some seconds. It wasn't long till I hit the 20th storey (we started from the 3rd storey) and I stole a glance at my watch reading about 1:25. That was good but I could feel the fatigue setting in quickly.

The next 20 storeys were fast but could certainly have benefited from more concentration and deliberate footsteps. I passed the two runners who had started ahead of me and the race then went quiet. No one was ahead, I couldn't hear anyone behind either - it was just me and the clock. I stumbled intermittently, perhaps a consequence of the draining volume of physical activity I had undergone in the preceding week.

To end the agony. Credit to Ulu Pandan CSC.

The last few flights were agonising but at last, I emerged at the top and stopped my watch around 3:18. Within seconds, both Kai Peng and Yaner emerged strongly as well. We were all gasping. Yaner probably looked the most comfortable. Gradually, more and more participants started emerging, all struggling to catch their breath. I even noticed a Kenyan (legit!) who suspected he finished just after 4 mins and admitted stair racing was awfully intense.

Thereafter, I headed back down for a chat with some other participants. Met Conan who told me he was participating in Carnival Run held later that evening as well. I had initially planned to participate in the "Run for Rice" initiative, whereby 5kg bags of rice carried to the 20th floor would be donated to needy families in Ulu Pandan. Yaner, Kai Peng and I headed over the first time, only to find out all packets of rice were being used at the moment. The next time we returned, they apologised and informed us that activity had just concluded.

This time, with the friendly conversations with other participants, time flew quickly. Preliminary results were also released, placing Yaner 1st, Kai Peng 3rd while I was in 2nd. It wasn't long before prize presentation (which was much less of a wait compared to last year's edition). Quite interestingly, Yaner had went for his "cool-down" climb while Kai Peng and I were lingering some distance away from the prize presentation area. 

When we finally heard our names being called (after what must have been quite a few times) we rushed back to proceed with the prize presentation. It probably isn't too common that podium finishers don't show up (I couldn't be bothered during last year's NVM 2016 - though in that case I wasn't expecting it at all). Yet Yaner was still probably somewhere high up climbing. The organisers agreed we'd take a proper photo once he returned.

Missing. Credit to Ulu Pandan CSC.

After some time, Yaner returned to claim his prize. Unlike last year where climbing and winning felt so surreal, this year the event was light-hearted, barely pressurising and filled with friendly conversations. I was really glad to have the chance to properly talk to Yaner and Kai Peng. I also got to know Philip, who placed 3rd in last year's edition.

Lost and Found. Credit to Ulu Pandan CSC.

Happy trio. Credit to Ulu Pandan CSC.

Many congrats to Yaner for his victory today. I heard that this was his first time placing 1st in a stair racing event and he definitely deserved it! Great climb by Kai Peng as well, having now ascended to the podium after placing 4th last year. Finally, a shout of appreciation to Ulu Pandan CSC for continuing to organise this event. It was also a great initiative to provide a Finisher's Medal to every participant :)

Men's Open 2nd! Not the fastest but feeling like a champion in other ways :)

Finalised Results. Credit to Ulu Pandan CSC.

Ulu Pandan Vertical Run 2015

With this inaugural event happening just the week after NVM 2015, I didn't hesitate about signing up. Perhaps the only bothersome aspect was the trouble of having to head down to Ulu Pandan CC to make payment.

Scheduled for 30th May, I was trying to figure out how to negotiate my running schedule while factoring in some rest. However, this was meant to be a fun activity and just an additional race experience, hence despite a workout the day before I wasn't too concerned. My intentions were to run a sub-4 time. As this was a small event, I was expectant of picking up a podium finish as well.

I arrived at the event site (Ghim Moh Link, Block 24A Level 3) about 45 mins flag off. The event site was simple but well arranged. After registration I proceeded to calm my nerves, recce the adjacent block's stairwell and attempt a few flights to get a sense of pace. I expected an anti-clockwise pattern of handrails, though I was later proven wrong.

As we gathered along the corridor, there were barely 40 participants, though I noticed a sizeable number of rather athletic-looking individuals. Some had even donned gloves in preparation for their climb. In addition, I recognised Yaner Lin who placed 2nd in last week's NVM 2015. I figured that for the Men's Open, there were a decent number of dedicated stair racers, while the remainder was formed by people living around Ghim Moh. I was confident in my abilities yet I suspected that a podium finish could be anyone's as long as circumstances were ideal for the individual.

Flag off for the Men's Open was mildly delayed at around 10.20am instead of the scheduled 10.15am. This was a mass flag off in a line according to Bib number (I was fortunate to number 11 - hence this meant having to pass fewer participants), instead of staggered starts. We were to start at level 3 instead of 1, hence climbing to the 40th storey meant only 37 floors. Everyone broke into a pacey start and I was certainly drawn into a quick pace in order to avoid being passed by participants behind me. It wasn't long before overtaking occurred and it certainly was difficult at times in the narrow stairwell. Save for a few extremely considerate individuals, most individuals occupied a big portion of the narrow stairwell and hence required several prompts of "passing" before they gave way (we were instructed to keep left along the wall side if being overtaken).

My pace was undoubtedly quicker than last week's climb. I knew that it was possible that I'd blow up, though the consequences were much less significant in this short race. The only time I caught a glance at my watch was as it read 2:2X, possibly when I was hitting the upper 20s. Overtaking was a constant struggle but eventually I found myself behind the first participant (based on Bib number) and before long, I proceeded to overtake him as he courteously gave way. I recall seeing storey 37 as I gasped for air and spurred myself on for the last few flights, before crossing the finish as my watch hit 3:14. I was elated. However, the body wasn't quite excited as the lungs gasped and the legs burnt.

This was a different type of climb from last week's - a sustained but controlled climb. This climb involved much less control. It was nonetheless paced decently, delivering a pleasant result that was confidently sub-4 - even if the climb was extended to 40 complete storeys. I had desired to experience burning pain in the pace and arguably I did, to an extent. I admit that I certainly felt I had ever endured more while actually sprinting up shorter stairwells. Nonetheless, this was a nice conclusion of my stair racing endeavours over the past week.

Standing beside Yaner (2nd) and Philip (3rd). The no smoking sign features
prominently at the top right hand corner. Credit to Ulu Pandan CSC.

Blessed.

Thankful for Ulu Pandan CSC's efforts.

Update: The complete list of results have been published on Ulu Pandan CSC's Facebook page. Official time was 3:13. It seems that my initial thoughts in assessing the participants were accurate - there were a number of quick finishers here. 10 individuals (myself included) out of the 40 in the Men's Open finished sub-4, granted we climbed 37 not 40 storeys. Amongst the finishers, we've actually had 7 of them as prize recipients across the various categories of the previous week's NVM 2015.

National Vertical Marathon 2015

On the last day of the early bird registration, Joel suggested that we participate in the National Vertical Marathon. Though it's been years since I've heard about vertical climbs, it was the first time I decided to participate in one. My intentions were to simply experience a physical activity apart from running and enjoy the view at the top of the climb.

Priced at $26 (there was an additional charge for online registration), it proved to be worth much more. A week before, we received emails about our detailing. Joel and I were scheduled in detail 131, while Jon Soh was in detail 133. Meanwhile, Russell and Guan were participating as well; and so was my brother who was in the Youth category.

Come race day, the three of us met before registration. There was a subsequent 30min window for us to get prepared before we then headed to the baggage deposit and the pre-race briefing. We chanced upon Joel's friend who had just completed his climb in a very respectable 11-12 mins. As this was my first time and I was keen on running a sub-11, I probably asked many questions pertaining to the layout etc. He definitely provided an invaluable piece of advice - the race doesn't end at level 63, there are additional stairs to climb.

After gathering our detail, the organisers let us proceed with the climb. Details per staircase (there were two, separating different categories) were released in 2 minute intervals, thus minimising any bottlenecks in the narrow staircase. I broke into a pacey start, confident that in the 10 to 12 minutes, such a pace was more than comfortable and instead, the real work was the climb.

As we were assigned to Staircase A, it was about a 20m run before we entered the staircase. The handrails were on the right as the staircase turned clockwise. I quickly grabbed onto the handrails and began my controlled ascent. I could hear footsteps approaching behind me and I suspect at around the 3rd floor I was passed by another individual in my detail who was running up. I stuck to my rhythm.

The stairwell was pretty empty and perhaps around the 12th floor, I caught up with the earlier individual. Thereafter, there was a water point on the 15th floor which I skipped. For such a short race at a decent intensity, I wasn't planning to risk an gastric upset nor waste precious seconds in getting hydration. Continuing my climb, I recall glancing at my watch on the 20th floor as it struck 3:20. I knew a sub-11 finish was possible but wondered how previous champions managed it under 10.

I gradually began to overtake individuals from earlier details. Most were taking single steps, some were just waiting around for others or getting hydration (storeys 15, 32 and 44). I knew I began to feel the discomfort towards the upper 30s. It was a mixture of mildly burning legs and heavy breathing - both intensifying as the run continued. Nonetheless, the burning legs was nowhere near that of sprinting up staircases. Here, it was probably the cardiovascular system limiting the muscular system from intense lactic acid accumulation - just as how in a 5km race, there aren't burning legs unlike a shorter race.

Some participants voluntarily moved to the left (recall that the handrails I'm grabbing are on the right) as I passed, while others were using the handrails themselves, forcing me to pass on their left. The cumulative cost of passing perhaps 20 individuals was indeed numerous seconds but I was prepared for that. Perhaps one of my mild annoyances came from how some volunteers were standing at the landings, back against the handrails, hence forcing me to go around them. I could see no rationale for them doing that instead of standing nearer the walls.

After the increasingly difficult later floors, I finally hit storey 63 and glanced at my watch as it read the lower 10s. I knew the sub-11 was definitely secure and perhaps eased off a little. The last portion of the climb was somewhat confusing to navigate. It would certainly have helped if marshals were stationed to direct exhausted climbers. Nonetheless, I eventually found myself crossing the timing mat, guaranteed of my sub-11 finish. Thereafter, Chuan Heng greeted me - he was there organising the timings (I guess no long run at MR for him that day). I could only muster a "Hey" before moving on, fearing that I may block other participants. I then stopped my watch as I collected the finisher's medal. Little did I expect I would receive another later that day.

After a few more minutes, Joel and Jon Soh reached the top as well. After a few casual photos and lots of water, we headed down a few flights of stairs before taking the lift. We checked out timings (10:46 for me), collected out deposited bags and subsequently lingered around to get our heavily (literally) sponsored goodie bags.

Thereafter, MRT home and a strength session for me. After returning to my phone, I realised that I had a missed call - I suspected it was from the organisers. I was pretty certain with a sub-11 time, I placed top 10 hence may have been informed by the organisers. I returned their call but did not get an answer. Meanwhile, I resumed my other planned activities (studying ~).

After a little later, I received yet another call from a different number. I was expectant once again. To my pleasant surprise, I was informed that I had actually placed 3rd. After some discussion, the organisers gladly let Noel (who placed 1st in the Youth Challenge) collect the prize on behalf of me, saving me the convenience of heading back to the event site for the pick-up. NVM 2015 was definitely once of my most pleasant race experiences - good organisation, great goodie bags and the blessing of a podium finish.

Thankful for the company :)

After the descent. Credit to Runcapture.

Pleasantly surprised :)

Achieved the goal of a sub-11min finish!

Men's Open results. An arguably slower field compared to previous years.