I’m heading out to Singapore late next week for a business trip and would like some help w/ recommendations for swimming and running locations. I’ve got to keep up w/ the 100/100 runs program 
I’m staying at the Swissotel, 2 Stamford Road, and it looks like the biggest landmark for where I’ll be working is the National University Singapore. Any help would appreciated.
Peace,
Rob
i suggest you try and just use the gym in the hotel. they might have a pool as well but i’m not sure. i ask that you stay indoors because i am a Singaporean based in England, and every time i go home it takes me 2-3 days to get used to the humidity so by the time you get accustomed your trip might well be over.
Hmm, I think you are in the Harbor area? When I go, I stay at the Four Seasons on Alexandra, which is close to the Orchid garden / botanical garden and makes for a great run from that area. Lots of paved paths with little to no traffic early in the morning. The FS had a 25 meter lap pool on the 4th? floor, so i used that (sorry no help on pools) and a great gym.
Taxis are CHEAP there, so the best running as out Alexandra along the streets where the Embassy’s / gardens are. Sing is super safe. I never felt wierded out running around as a single female in a jog bra. Run early in the morning as it gets really f’n hot with T-storms in the afternoon.
Have fun, and get some Fish-head curry in Little India or some pepper-crab out in Chiangi. Sing has great cheap food.
The Swissotel pool sux for swimming, it’s two big circlular shapes and too warm. The gym there is one of the best I’ve seen at the hotel complex (not HUGE, just a good array of stuff, good facilities & attendants). I asked the same question some time ago and got some good answers:
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=1359144;search_string=Singapore;#1359144
I ended up swimming at Jln Besar pool which was nice, kinda funny cos it was unroped so dudes swimming everywhere all over the lanes with no goggles therefore eyes closed…got a good workout in though and again the pool attendants were very helpful & courteous. I ran at East Coast Park…flat, hot, can’t remember any drinking fountains (had to beg at McDonalds). Popular spot for runners/joggers/recreational cyclists but boring as hell (did I say flat?).
Thanks for y’alls suggestions. This will be my first visit, from what everybody says about the weather, looks like I need to leave my long sleeve running tops at home and bring the fuel belt to stay hydrated.
Peace,
Rob
They are right the pool sux! But from there you can go out the front door of the hotel and go right and head toward the river. There is a really nice path on both sides that is very nice for running and well lit if you are going very early or late. If you need the dreadmill there is a health club there attached (part of another building) that your card key will work for that has reasonable treadmills. Also, the only semi healthy food there is the Italian restaurant in the basement or you can go to the mall a couple blocks away (not the one attached to the hotel but out the front to the right, right one block and then left two blocks on the right) and there is a grocery store there with fresh fruits and veggies etc. You can also run out where the Sing 70.3 swim start is by taking a cab out there and then calling one back (they will come when phoned for $2 SG); very nice set of paths out there that goes for miles (or k’s!) along the waterfront.
Any other questions hit me offline. Really fun place to go for work and to see!
Banger
Ooh I forgot to mention one thing Rob…the Swissotel is very popular with the airlines, which means HEAPs of air hostesses in the bar upstairs!!! Fun times…
The fuelbelt is a top idea, wish I brought mine…will be worth it’s weight in gold.
Enjoy.
hey, The Bike Boutique headquarters is in Singapore.
according to Google maps it’s only 1.9km from where you’re staying. If I were you, I would totally go in and personally ask them!! they should know all the training hotspots in Singapore.
http://www.thebikeboutique.com/contactus.php
have a good trip!
Jocelyn
there’s no need for drinking fountains because all tap water is potable (drinkable) in Singapore. So all you have to do is just pop into any of the toilets and drink from the tap! Easy peasy. That’s how the locals (me) do it.
cheers!
Singapore is a pretty fun place to run, on my first day there I went for a 3h long run, started it at 5am, saw all the late parties going on, then you get nothing much from 6-7am and after 7 its pretty insane how everyone is out! I had a waterbottle-fannypack with me, and still did 2 short stops to refill, second most humid place I´ve been in my life, only behind Jeju in Korea.
There are a bunch of public swimming pools around, google “triathlon family” a local tri club and they might be able to help you out.
Have fun in Sing,
Vinnie
Be careful while running downtown. Alot ot their sidewalks have tile and it gets very slippery after a rain. Swimming is very popular in Singapore. There is a pretty cool beach to swim at, with marked bouy’s and stuff…I just cant remember the name of it…
And dont forget the Zoo there…
Be careful while running downtown. Alot ot their sidewalks have tile and it gets very slippery after a rain. Swimming is very popular in Singapore. There is a pretty cool beach to swim at, with marked bouy’s and stuff…I just cant remember the name of it…
And dont forget the Zoo there…
Sentosa Island???
Vinnie
Rob,
Look at the earlier thread. All info in there is relevant to you. Your Hotel is only 2mins running from the River, so you can run all you like around there. Your nearest pool, as I mentioned in the earlier thread is the Katong Swimming Complex, which is on the junction of mountbatten and Fort Roads. Only 5 Mins by Taxi from where you live.
Alternatively, get a map and run there and back. It’s very simple; ask the hotel to show you on a map, but, basically, run along the Nicoll Highway to the very end, turn Right onto Mountbatten and run all the way to the pool. I would guess 3Km each way.
.
Ok dude , you got lucky !
Directly across from your hotel is the Espanade Theatres on the Bay , you can’t miis them , cause there is absolutely nothing that I’ve seen shaped like them.
They are right on the water with a promenade. You can go either way at the promenade .
-If you turn left you can only run about 200m then the promenade is closed for about 1km ( so you will need to run on the road past the Ritz Carlton , then under the giant ferris wheel until you can get back on the promenade. There are plenty of runners early and after 5.30. You can run beside the river there for about 5 kms. I could tell you further but you would get confused.
Do not run in the gym at the hotel , harden up and get used to some real heat and humidity Make sure you are well hydrated prior ( electrolytes ) not water. Sorry to harp on this , but here you will sweat profusely.
Additionally , yes , if you are single or aswinger you may prefer to swim at the hotel pool and show off that triathlete body. Loads of stewardesses at the hotel.
Terry
Another option for swimming id the Qennstown complex approximately halfway between NUS and the Swissotel.
FOr unning jump in a cab to East Coast, 10 minute taxi ride and cheap from hotel. Can run along the coast and out past teh airport, about 15kms I would guess one way. Just keep an eye out for the recreational cyclists who are a little errant.
With reagrds to the Stewardesses there a floors and floors of them at the Swissotel, however they Qantas and British Airways which can be a little hit and miss.
Katong or Farrer Park for swimming. Running is easy - head out towards the Marina area and run the 70.3 course along the bottom of the ferris wheel thingy that has gone up here and back into the old National Stadium.
Yes its hot, but it is no nig deal as it is the rainy season now so a little coller. Being 1 degree north you’d expect it to be warm! Its good to have the heat and humidty, just stay hydrated.
Dude, dont’ listen to anyone who tells you to run while you’re there. The humidity is insane. I went running at 4am and was soaking wet before I got down the drive of my hotel. Stick to the treadmill at the hotel.
Hahahaha , very true.
If you want to race in this climate , you have to train in this climate.
It’s not a beauty pageant !
If you think it’s hot here , try racing Desaru Half-IM or IM Malaysia !!
Ok that makes 3 posts about the stewardesses at the Swissotel…for some strange reason I don’t feel so special anymore.
I think Rob will be ditching the fuelbelt now & packing his nice underwear.
I’m married now , so don’t play that sport anymore though.
But for what it’s worth , the Japanese stewardesses stay at The Carlton hotel ,1.5 blocks away. Not to be confused with The Ritz Carlton.