Run for Heroes 2020 introduces 55km and 550km categories to commemorate Singapore's 55th National Day

Virtual running initiative Run for Heroes 2020 will be introducing two expanded categories in the month of August to commemorate Singapore’s 55th National Day. With the introduction of these new categories, the closing date of the initiative has also been extended to 31 August 2020 to allow participants more time to complete their runs.

Officially launched on 27 May 2020, Run for Heroes 2020 is supported by SportSG’s Active Enabler Programme (AEP) Grant. A part of the annual GetActive! Singapore campaign. The initiative is also supported by #SGUnited and SingPost.

Honouring the essential role played by their workers throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, SingPost has not only rallied their own staff in support of the run, but have taken on the task of delivering the wristbands and notes of thanks to frontline workers across Singapore over the past two months.

Since the launch, the initiative has also received support from a range of corporate sponsors and organisations pledging their support for our frontliners. These include frontline organisations such as Security & Risk Solutions Pte Ltd (SRS), as well as embassies like the American Embassy and the British High Commission.

CEO of Security & Risk Solutions Pte Ltd, Mr Amos Kng said, “The Covid-19 pandemic shows no signs of abating. Frontliners across a multitude of industries continue to dedicate themselves to keeping the country running and keeping us safe. Security & Risk Solutions, being a frontline organisation, has more than 300 security officers serving the community, as well as the respective quarantine and recovery sites on a daily basis. We have been especially touched by the selflessness and willingness of our staff to go that extra mile for the Company and the community. As such, we rallied the whole management of SRS to do this small bit for our frontliners, in the hopes of showing them that, in a small way, we stand in unison with them. We hope that we will be able to inspire more Singaporeans to join us in uniting as one behind the hardworking frontliners across the nation.”

With an initial pledge of 300km, the management team at SRS has surpassed this target and continues to participate in the initiative to reach out to more frontliners, even beyond the organisation. Mr Kng has personally completed more than 100km himself, and hopes to lead by example to inspire more organisations and individuals to contribute to the cause.

Through the extension and expansion of the initiative, Run for Heroes hopes to continue bringing together Singaporeans and all who live in Singapore in a show of gratitude for our frontline heroes as they continue to battle Covid-19 pandemic to keep us safe.

To deliver a tangible show of support for the nation’s frontline heroes, participation in the run will see one iconic Run for Heroes wristband delivered to the participant and a corresponding wristband and a personalised note of thanks sent to a frontline worker on his/her behalf. At present, frontline workers serving as quarantine officers, cleaners, security personnel, liaison officers and in the healthcare industry have received thousands of wristbands and notes from event participants.

Managing Director of Orange Room, Mr Elvin Ting said, “In the past few months, we have been encouraged by the support and love shown by our participants and their genuine desire to show appreciation for our frontliners. While many may see this as a small gesture of appreciation, to the frontliners it provides them with much-needed encouragement and support through these difficult times. As we approach the month of August and Singapore’s 55th National Day, we decided to introduce new categories and extend the deadline to allow more members of the continue to pledge their support for our hardworking front liners as we come together to celebrate the strength of Singapore through these difficult times.”

Going further for our frontline heroes

To commemorate Singapore’s 55th National Day, two new categories and corresponding entitlements will be introduced exclusively in the month of August. Participants of the two new categories will be able to reach out to greater numbers of frontline workers, contribute more to The Courage Fund and will also receive a personalised Run for Heroes mask and event t-shirt as a part of their race entitlements.

The SG55 Challenge and The SG550 Challenge have been conceptualised to activate both the running community and those looking to dedicate more time and support to our frontline heroes, while keeping fit and active themselves. These expanded categories and the extended deadline will also allow participants to reach out to as many frontliners as possible, while raising more to donate to The Courage Fund.

As with the previous 1km category, the new categories can be completed over the course of the month of August and logged as a virtual run through fitness or step trackers. This ensures that safe distancing measures can be adhered to, and participants can pace out their runs at their own convenience.

With The SG550 Challenge, the 550km category, participants can sign up as a team of two to complete the run collectively over the month of August.1

As the nation continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic, Run for Heroes 2020 aims to inspire us as individuals and citizens to run for our country, and run for our front liners.

Stay updated with the latest happenings via ActiveSG on Telegram here.