Running Punggol Buangkok Sengkang Park connector

We love the park connectors, you can run, cycle, blade, scoot or simply walk. Day or night, the scenic waterways always attract families (including pets) and activities.

Lovely cloud reflections at Coney Island entrance

When I need to choose a spot for my long runs, the Sengkang Park connector links me to Punggol and Buangkok, and the loop will last me 20 to 25km.Β  Some convenience factors for me would be be toilets, water point and shelters (lockers would be a bonus).

1) Toilets – For obvious reason, stomachache in the middle of coney island is no fun.

2) Water point for my hydration needs. Try running in Bishan Park loops and you will realise they only have 2 or perhaps 3 water points. (Please correct me if I am wrong)

3) Shelters from the environment. You can run in the rain but not under thunderstorm.

Look at Google Map below, I have highlighted the water points (roughly every 5km) in my favourite running route. You can start from anywhere, any direction, just follow the waterways and “long kang” (drains) to form a 20km loop.Β Google Map Link

Sengkang Punggol Running route
Sengkang Punggol Running route

Expect to see Container parks, nice vantage bridges, dams, beautiful sunrise or sunset, and the spectacular Punggol landscape. I have yet to spot the otters.

I live in Sengkang, but I need to admit that Punggol is more scenic πŸ™‚

Punggol 21
Punggol 21, Jewel Bridge

When you run around your neighbourhood, you will realise how landscapes can change in months. Green area cleared, boarding come up, and the BTO flats literally grow floor by floor in weeks! And Sengkang hospital will be ready in a few months!

 

 

If you start from Compass One (Seng Kang MRT), clockwise through Buangkok you will reach Sengkang Park connector towards the swimming pool. You will run behind Kampong Lorong Buangkok (Singapore’s last Kampong on the main land, GPS 1.383346, 103.878035).

Sengkang Park connector
Sengkang Park connector

#Water point B(refer map) Anchorvale Swimming Pool

Sengkang Swimming Pool

 

Run along the river and you will reach the dormitories and Punggol Marina. Look across the straits at Johor Pasir Gudang. There will be a lot of fishing enthusiasts (anglers) too.

Punggol end Jetty

#Water point C. Punggol End

If you want to end your run, take a bus back to Punggol bus Interchange. Or if you want additional challenge, run the Punggol end slopes!

You can enjoy seafood or rent a bike to go to Coney Island (closed at 7pm).

Bus to Punggol end

But this lush greenery and laid-back corner at Punggol end will be very crowded soon, with new flats and even industries.

Future Punggol Developments
Future Punggol Developments

I hate this zig-zag route running parallel to Coney Island. Seems like never ending, and always feel lonely on this stretch. You will get occasional bikers and joggers.

Below picture of HDB, you will see remote planes flying around weekends.

You will see Lorong Halus bridge before Water Point D. This bridge looks nice day or night.

#Water point D. Punggol Promenade toilet (200m from bridge, 50m to Container Park)

This is 15km mark on my run, 5km to go but I hear Happy hours πŸ™‚

ofo bikes rental
ofo bikes Punggol

Nearing the end of my route, one more km to Water Way E.

#Water point E. Punggol Park (This is actually in Hougang)

Punggol Park
Punggol Park

 

#Water point A. This can be Buangkok or Sengkang MRT

A slow run (20km pace 7 to 8) will take you between 2 to 2.5 hours. Enjoy the scenery.

Additional tips :

1-Ladies, do not go running alone in the late evenings, run with a pal. Some areas suffer from blackouts. And there are many construction sites around.

2-Beware of the irritating bright lights from ebikes and scooters, they are fast and often blind you with their spotlights!

Do you prefer Sunrise, Sunset or even full moon? Do share your favourite park and running routes with me.

Macritchie Trail run
– Cycle to Sengkang North and Seletar airport
– Cycle to Coney Island
– Follow our running adventures here

Mizuno Ekiden Dads

Mizuno Ekiden D-Day,Β all 12 of us met earlier for group photos before we started racing running. This is the first time so many Dads from #DaddyMatters are participating in a single event.

We had some Durian and Prata sessions before, but 12 for sports is a new milestone πŸ™‚

Image credit Daddy Matters

 

Call for action was activated a few months ago, and 12 Dads responded. Amazingly, not all are runners, but we all wanted to do something for Daddy Matters :pΒ 

13 members from Daddy Matters, if you include Isaiah. He is our “honorary” runner, but had to skip Mizuno Ekiden due to an incident.

Eric,D,Lucian,Winston,M,Isaiah,Andy,Vincent,Nick,Seng Kiong,Wai Keong,Randy and Patrick

Personally, I want to keep fit for self and family. I always believe that sports is a great avenue for parents to bond with kids (even PM is talking about keeping fit diabetes-prevention at National Day rally!)

However, we parents always find it tough to squeeze out extra time for sports due to family and work commitments. Hope more parents will keep on striving for a Healthy Lifestyle.Β 

 

 

Mizuno Ekiden is a relay race, 4 runners form a team to complete 21km or 42km. So we have to handover a sash to the next runner.

Some of us are meeting for the first time, we better know the runners before and after ourselves haha :p

The before after photos for our three teams. Man, we are super high spirited! Besides running our own goals, we hope to do some collective activities for Daddy Matters too.

We hope to promote active Parenting, Dads supporting one another.

Β 

Mizuno Ekiden Race village at The Promontory. Beers are served after the race, but I did not ask whether we can drink before running (hic) ?

 

Race is quite well organised, and many participants ended their race with smiles. Good food and beer awaits.

I only have one small complain, there was no water point for those waiting for their race (only isotonic drinks available). I am the 4th runner, so I needed to wait over 90 minutes before my turn.

 

Dads having fun, showing off our Dad bods. We did say we all come from different background yeah πŸ™‚

On a serious note, Run Safe and take care of each other!

Mizuno Ekiden Dads

With a rally of Taiko drums, the first runners dashed off. Daddy Matters group tried to run together (Vincent and Winston in picture below).

 

Teams eagerly waiting to tag and take over the next race. “Team Chio Bu” spotted on the electronic Panel!

 

Nick dashing in to pass over the sweaty Sash to Patrick πŸ™‚

Well done Dads! All were sweaty and the earlier runners had a harsher Sun! My team completed in 2.16 Hour, not bad πŸ™‚

Our jigsaw-like finisher medals, our sweat and determination πŸ™‚

Earlier, four of us Dads were featured on behalf of Daddy Matters, from LR Winston, me, Nick and Lucian. Read the article here.

Dads are not the only one at Mizuno Ekiden 2017, check out some blogger Mums at Instagram hashtag #Racymamas too. Kudos to all πŸ™‚

We would like to thanks Mizuno Ekiden for the running invite, do follow them on their Website and Facebook. More Mizuno Ekiden photos will be available on RunningShots albums.

Follow the Fun Dads on our Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/DaddyMatters

Daddy bloggers Daddy Matters

 

ps.. (photos above credit Daddy Matters or SengkangBabies)

do follow me on this #skbRunning or blog link for Sengkangbabies running events. I will be attempting 42km at SCMS