Yellow Ribbon Project

The Yellow Ribbon Project is in aid of ex-offenders to give them opportunity to integrate back into society. In aid of this which I have supported over the years, I got my yellow ribbon which I have tagged to my bag.

 

The Prison service also had their very first inaugural Yellow Ribbon Prison Run held on 6th September 2009. I signed up for the 10km run (there was another 5.8km run category) The start point was a little strange as you did not start and end at the same place. We could park at the Singapore Expo and they had shuttle busses to take all the runners to the start point where you could deposit your bag (they had trucks to ferry your bag to the end point) but I think there was some chaos at the end point with the baggage collection.

Some highlights of the run were the unique scenery, and the slopping terrain, it almost rained (or actually it did at the end) and the wind was gusty which made running a little hard. They had this novel idea to have a “cool zone” it’s actually a 10m stretch where you could run under a mist machine. It was quite refreshing and unique but I think those ipod users gave it a pass. At the end we collected our goodie bags which contain among other things the 1 isotonic can drink, water was only provided at the end, toilets were not many. Oh I forgot to mention the end point was at Changi Prison !! I guess the only time you would ever get to be in a prison, it was really an eye opening place the huge field where I suppose on any given day inmates would be allowed to roam around. They had a mock up of a prison cell as well and the inmates baked muffins which were given out. Props to Anderson’s ice-cream one of the sponsors which gave out free ice-cream yummmy …. the ice milo was cool as well extra yummy …. I remembered drinking ice milo in primary school during sports day, that was probably the last time I had ice milo.

The PAC (Prison Action Committee – I think that’s what it’s called) provided entertainment at the end with a band and quite good signing from the inmates, all shaven head and wearing smart looking white T-Shirts. The band was pretty good, the crow loved them and I think they were very happy to be able to perform for us.

Well instead of a finisher’s medal they gave us a plague (or paper weight if you wan to call it) an interesting memento of the event.