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SMRT Challenge 2007
16/09/07...Continued!
Let me now continue from the previous post…
As the exit came into view we braced ourselves and got out of the station as quickly as possible. I was the fastest runner (well not bragging or anything…) so I sprinted away first. Zigzagging through all the food stands and the throngs of people along the pathway was both dangerous and thrilling at the same time.
The rest of the members followed behind me. WJ got stuck trying to push through the crowd so he followed my line of direction in the end.
We had a clear path in front us now.
I just ran and ran and ran, oblivious to the stares from foreigners and other Singaporeans. They must have thought I was nuts or something, but who cares right?
This was serious, like seriously serious.
WE HAD TO GET THERE BEFORE 61.
WE HAD TO WIN AT LEAST TOP 3!
WE JUST HAD TO.
The balloons and white tent came into view, the yellow race counter was ticking away the seconds, the finishing line was right beneath it… then my feet ached; I took a breath while waiting for the others to catch up. Saw MH almost catching up with me and I continued my run…
Almost there…
The entrance was just steps away from me.
And no sign of 61!
I wanted to run in but I couldn’t.
We’re a team remember!
We have to check in together.
Through spasmodic gulps… I waited and waited. It seemed like eternity before the rest caught up. Yes! MH had reached and so did WJ and we ran together. KH was lagging behind but we knew he was trying his best to catch up with all of us. I shouted for him to hurry and encouraged him that he could do it!
”COME ON, KIA HONG!”
I screamed at the top of my lungs while running.
He was just steps away.
But that’s when…
61 zoomed past and got in about 5 seconds before us.
…
…
…
“SMRT CHALLENGE!”
We hollered, as we jumped to the front of the counter. Got our team number verified and we were officially checked in. The guy at the counter handed us our check-in number which was…
3!!!
Like ooh la la! Was asked by the cameraman to say something when we checked in but we were all breathless and just blur to everything around so we just shouted “SMRT CHALLENGE!” once again.
Collected our goodie bags at the counter and submitted our race passport. Went to a corner and started discussing fervently about what the final outcome would be. Chatted and chatted for a while and we realised how tired we were. Got drinks and took a break. After all, the results would only be revealed about 2 hours later. We had a long wait.So during our break we just completed some questionnaires and surveys. Waiting was just terrible.
Heard the emcees on stage requesting for people to answer questions and WJ and I went to check it out. There was already a large group of people there already and some annoying people that just got in the way of the emcees, all scrambling to be selected. We just stood there amused and WJ was selected by the female emcee to answer a question. See, it helps if you don’t behave like a deranged bitch and wait patiently to be selected.
WJ got on stage to answer the question and I got near to the top of the stage so I could get some pictures. That’s when the female emcee struck up a conversation with me.
Emcee: “Hey you look very familiar to me!”
Me: “No I don’t think so…”
Emcee: “Oh maybe it’s the braces! I think it’s because I’ve seen many people today who wear braces, that’s why you look so familiar.”
What? What?!
HELLO! LIKE HELLO!
SERIOUSLY.
*Pictures executioners dragging her away to a slaughter house*
Anyways WJ was asked a simple true/false question and he won a $10 TANGS voucher! Congratulations!
Taking a picture of WJ being questioned.
While I was trying to take a picture, the female emcee jumped away and I signalled for her to go back into the photo…
That’s when she leaned towards WJ and gave a weird expression as seen above.
Uhhh.
After he was done, I recounted the incident to WJ.. Told him that I should have replied, “Why? Do I look like your ex-boyfriend?” That would put a sock in her mouth. But never mind, no hard feelings.
Oh yes, met Wei Ling there too. Gave her a shocked look when I saw her. She had taken part and represented RGS. Asked her how was it but she just replied “Life sucks.” Okay… got her handphone number ‘cos I lost her number and we went our separate ways.
Continued waiting again and I was so bored I took WJ’s camera and just started cam-whoring. Little did I know, Wei Ling was just a distance away and she saw everything I did. She smsed me and called me a cam-whore. Oops.
So fast forward to the prize-giving ceremony. The emcees were obviously playing with us and kept announcing other teams from other categories first.
Finally they announced the student category and started from 10th place.
Top 3, top 3, I chanted in my mind.
Alas all was not to be and we were announced as the 6th team. We had arrived with a timing of 3 hr 52 minutes. I was a little disappointed but oh well, got up the stage, smiled for pictures and took our prize.
Now you must be thinking that 61 must be gloating away somewhere. Well they got 4th place and they won the same prize as us so… too bad. All’s fair.
In the end the first prize winner was announced to have arrived about an hour before everyone else and we were like “Huh?” that wasn’t possible. But hey, who were we to question the decision of the judge? Seems like we didn’t accumulate enough merit points and thus were overtaken by other teams in the final point system. Ahh, sadness.
Took some pictures and we all went for dinner. Indeed, it was an unforgettable experience and definitely an improvement from last year’s timing of 7hr+. When we arrived last year, everyone had packed up and left already. In the spirit of competitiveness and fun, congratulations to every single team that won!
And that includes you guys, 61.
Some pictures!
Shocking-ness abourrit!
Superhero KH, hope you don’t mind me posting this picture! xD
Prize envelope given to us.
Close-up.
See we’re the 6th team!
Aww.
The contents of the envelope.
$10 x 30 = $300 worth of TANGS vouchers!
Group photo at the end of everything! =)
Now we’re armed with all the shopping vouchers, we’re satisfied, happy and of course very hungry and tired.
So in the immediate future…
Let’s all go…
SHOPPING!
End.
Hail Mary.