ST Virtual Run: Only 1 week left to register for Early Bird, Loyal Runner rates

A photo from Sept 29, 2019, showing participants of The Straits Times Run along Esplanade Drive. ST PHOTO: WANG HUI FEN

SINGAPORE - With just a week to go till the Early Bird and Loyal Runner rates end, organisers of The Straits Times Virtual Run (STVR) are urging the nation's exercise enthusiasts to sign up now.

The main ST Run has, over the last few years, attracted a steady participation rate of more than 13,000 a year, but entries for the inaugural STVR have been growing exponentially, and ST sports editor and STVR organising chairman Lee Yulin said: "Many runners have already taken advantage of the discount to join our event at a highly competitive price.

"I encourage those who have not signed up yet to do so quickly."

The Early Bird and Loyal Runner rates are valid only till Sept 11. From Sept 12 until entries close on Oct 4, normal rates will apply.

To reward participants for their support, all local entries - defined as those residing in Singapore - will be eligible to enter lucky draws and social media contests for a variety of prizes and giveaways from the event's main sponsors.

These include the grand prize of a Panasonic 55-inch 4K Ultra HD OLED TV set worth $3,699, New Balance FuelCell Prism shoes worth more than $180 and 100Plus hampers worth $100.

To commemorate the paper's 175th anniversary, two distances are offered for the STVR - 17.5km and 175km.

Entry fees for past participants of the ST Run are $15 (17.5km) and $20 (175km). Early-bird prices are $18 and $23 respectively. Normal rates are $22 and $27.

The race period for the 17.5km run is Oct 9 to Oct 18, while the 175km run takes place from Oct 19 to Dec 17.

Runners can record their distances over several sessions.

Race finishers will receive a New Balance NB Dry T-shirt worth $49, designed by ST artist Lee Chee Chew, and a medal that can complete the three-piece keepsake introduced by the ST Run last year.

Those interested can sign up at the ST Run website, while the full terms and conditions for the STVR's various giveaways and lucky draw can also be found there.

For updates, follow the event's Facebook and Instagram pages at @thestraitstimesrun

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.