4-80 Challenge 2009

Photo before start of race at the Atrium Singapore beside Plaza Singapura

Today, I took part in another special running event which is called 4-80 Challenge 2009.

Anyone knows why it is called “4-80”? The reason is because it is an event comprising of 4km run + 80m (26 storeys) stair climbing vertical marathon. Haha

Race Route

I am not aware that there is such an event until I accidentally found it online when I was searching for some information 4 days ago. When I saw that the closing date is on 5 June 2009 and the race date is on 7 June 2009, I immediately registered for it with KT.

(Anyone can find where I am in the photo?? No prize for that though. haha)


The race is unique as the runners need to run the race along the busy Orchard Road. When you get a chance to run some freely along Orchard Road. Haha. The race started off at 10am with about 100+ participants running a 2km distance from the Atrium Singapore beside Plaza Singapura towards Far East Plaza. It was great when so many people were running along Orchard Road without any road closure; however it can be a bit dangerous.

1. Race Briefing

2. Runners gathering at starting point

3. Race Flagged off.

When we reached Far East Plaza, we were directed to the back alley and started our next horrible challenge which is climbing up 26 storeys (80m) up the Far East Plaza. As I have participated in vertical marathon before, so I was somehow prepared for the climb, however some strength was almost used up during the 2km run, so it is still tough climbing up the stair. Haha.

26 storey of endurance staircase climbing

Waiting for the lift at 26 th storey Far East Plaza down to the ground level


Finally when we reach to the 26th storey, we waited for the lift to arrive and all of us squeeze into the lift to get down to the ground floor. I was one of the last one to enter the lift in my batch. Inside the lift, everyone was sweating like hell and catching breathe…Somehow it is quite unlucky for me, the lift suddenly opened at the 6th storey and the “overload” alarm sound off. Since I was the last one to enter the lift so I walked out of the lift for the others to get down… No choice… Lucky it was at 6th storey, so I make my way down by walking down the staircase instead… No point waiting for the lift when I know that it will be packed.

After I reached the ground floor, I hydrated myself at the water point and continue my last 2km run from Far East Plaza back to the Atrium Singapore beside Plaza Singapura. Along the way, it was very crowded especially at CK Tang and Lucky Plaza… I have to squeeze my way though the crowd to proceed on my run. At the last stretch of the race, I did a sprint from the Istana towards the ending point at Plaza Singapura. It was a relief after crossing the finishing point. Haha.

Overall, the run was great as it challenges participants with a run intially, followed by vertical marathon and then run again. I cannot think of any running event in Singapore that has the combination of both such challenge. It was another great experience for me. Cheers. From what I know this is the 3rd year that this race was held, but I found out about this race recently because it was not publicize on the newspaper. Anyway I will go for the challenge again this year to challenge myself again. Cheers Ü

Photo taken after the race (That piece of certificate is not real - it modified. haha)