In my shoes: Running takes me where I want to go

RunNUS 2022 Project Director (PD) Joel Chew Hao En sets new goals to bring people together and to improve the lives of the beneficiaries. He gives us a sneak peak of what it’s like to be in his shoes ready for this year’s new race.

RunNUS Committee Outing, 25 June 2022 First Row: Bryan Chang Kin Hong, Joel Chew Hao En, Haw Jia Xuan, Ramie Lim Rui Min, Luo Xin Ming Second Row: Salunke Somesh Ganpat, Javon Teo Tze Kai, Celeste Ong Yi Fei, Chevonne Leong Khai Suan, Le Van Minh Third Row: Wong Jing Kai, Jonaas Quek Minn Jun, Lee Wen Xiong, Liao Keng I, Ryan Qiu Jing Xuan, Ng Ming Hin Benedict, Low Yuan En Jolyn

I had the privilege to take up the role of a PD at this year’s RunNUS to work with my team to contribute back to the community. Being a running enthusiast myself, I feel I can make a difference in two ways. Firstly, by introducing a brand-new segment named “Run as One” where participants can finally come together after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic and secondly to empower the recipients.

Run as One

This year marks RunNUS’ 16th anniversary, I asked myself: “With restrictions being lifted, how can I bring everyone back together?” Since running can be such an individual activity, I came up with “Run as One”, a new running segment of RunNUS. Participants can form a team of five and run/walk 5 km together. That means persons with and without disabilities, including children and seniors can be part of your team of five. This encourages participants to come together to bond, unite and spur each other by working towards a common goal.

In addition, RunNUS is excited to bring a hybrid event where participants are given a choice to participate in a physical or virtual segment along with the traditional race category of 3km, 5km and 10km.

Empowering the recipients

RunNUS has two main beneficiaries, Disabled People Association (DPA) and Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC). As the PD, I felt that it was important to get to know more about our them. I was given the chance to interact with one of DPA’s member, Aisha who is a 76-year old lady. She taught me a valuable life lesson during my time with her, which is to think positively and that there is nothing we cannot overcome.

Left to Right: Lee Rui En, Asha Karen, Aisha Binti Ibrahim, Joel Chew Hao En, Bryan Chang Kin Hong

“Give your best in everything you do. Always think positively and never give up.”
- Aisha Binti Ibrahim, Inclusion Ambassador, Member of DPA

Left to right: Loh Yuan En Jolyn, Joan Hung Hui Xin, Salunke Somesh Ganpat, Joel Chew Hao En

“Inclusion does not just involve persons with disabilities and is about understanding people who are different from you by communicating effectively with them. Be open-minded to others and make sure that what you do is positive and considerate.”
- Joan Hung Hui Xin, Member of SDSC

After interacting with both Aisha and Joan, I realised how they are no different from you and I despite their disabilities and everyone should have the opportunity to engage in physical activities that they are drawn to. This pushes me to strive harder to create a more inclusive race and to raise funds for RunNUS.

As we draw closer to the physical race event on 17 September, I hope that participants can appreciate that true inclusion calls on us to reflect and act in a way that gives life and hope to others, regardless of which part of our journey we are on.

With that, I wish everyone good health and I hope to see everyone on the start line!