Labrador Park Run on 26 Sep`06 (Tue)

After Rim mentioned in the SgRunners’ forum abt 4 hills run(Mt Faber, Telok Blangah Hills, Labrador Park and Kent Ridge Park), tktan & I decided to explore a new route to one of the hills nearest to NUS -- Labrador Park. From KRGH, we ran along Pasir Panjang Rd, to Hwa Par Villa (where we tackled the hill to the peak) and exited via Zehnder Rd (nice downslope to recover). To avoid the heavy vehicles along Pasir Panjang Rd, we detoured to South Bouna Jln – passing by private residential area (oh, this stretch is a mild upslope) which ended opposite Pasir Panjang Food Centre. tktan mentioned abt the good char kway teow there. We continued along Pasir Panjang Rd – arghh, needed to do many “hurdle” jumps up/down the pavement!

Made a left turn to Labrador Walk - gradual upslope and well-lit. tktan made a good choice to run up via Port Rd as the road leading to Olive Restaurant was steep. Passed by 2 Safra runners who were chit-chatting. Cold sea breeze greeted us when we reached Labrador Park and it was very nice running along the coast. At the playground in the centre of the park, people were celebrating mid autumn festival – kids carrying lantern and we were tempted to grab some mooncakes from them :P After running a loop round the park(erm, no slopes leh?!), we couldn’t find the Olive Restaurant’s car park. Then we chanced upon a walkway to the left of the first car park and decided to give it a try. Aha, this was THE HILL! The upslope juz kept going on and on (kinda like KL Mizuno Wave Run). tktan seemed to enjoy the upslope but I was making tiny steps and grasping/panting all the way. Finally, we reached the top and ta-da, Olive Restaurant was there. The downslope was great for catching our breath and we continued to part 2 of the run – Ulu Pandan Canal.

From Labrador Park, we ran along Alexandra Rd, to Queensway and cut through Commonwealth Dr/Tanglin Halt to Bouna Vista MRT. Set into “auto cruise” mode and enjoying the cool evening breeze along the canal, we suddenly heard someone called out “tktan, doraemon” – flip was test “driving” her new shoes, adistar cushion. First time we met SgRunners along the route – though many said they run @ Ulu Pandan Canal. I was prepared to stop and take a cool down walk back to Bouna Vista MRT but tktan suggested we chiong the last stretch. Chiong he did and I was left smelling his dust! Good run and thanks to tktan for sharing his bottle of isotonic drink and running @ my place!

After a quick cool down, we walked over to Holland Rd for the famous XO fish bee hoon and took a bus back to KRGH. Feeling nice and clean after shower, tktan got a rare treat – homemade Teochew cheng tng (courtesy from my mum)!

P.S. Enjoyed exploring more running routes ard NUS... Next, would like to run to Telok Blangah Hills and Mt Faber :)

Route : KRGH -> Pasir Panjang Rd -> Hwa Par Villa -> Zehnder Rd -> South Bouna Jln -> Pasir Panjang Rd -> Labrador Park -> Alexandra Rd -> Queensway -> Commonwealth Dr -> Tanglin Halt -> Bouna Vista MRT -> Ulu Pandan Canal.

Distance : 18km
Time : 1hr 49min (including traffic light stops)
Avg pace : 6:03min/km