Singapore's first Star Wars Run hooks in fans
Fans looking forward to first Star War-themed run in Singapore
The Force was with Mr Adrian Lin and Madam Wong Siew Kian six years ago at their Star Wars-themed wedding at Capella Singapore in Sentosa.
The couple - who dressed as lovers Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala - walked down the aisle with an honour guard sporting lightsabers.
On May 6, the Star Wars fans will let their feet do the talking again - when they participate in the Star Wars Run.
Held in Singapore for the first time, the night race will take participants through the scenic Marina Bay waterfront.
Runners can choose either the light or dark side, and distances of 4.5km or 10km. Registration closes on Monday.
Husband and wife will be running in the 4.5km category with Mr Lin choosing the dark side (depicted as evil in the movies) while Madam Wong will be in the light side (force of good).
Mr Lin admitted he was drawn to the dark side because of the Stormtrooper limited edition commemorative medal.
But there's another reason: the 35-year-old data analytics manager told The New Paper: "(My wife) is taking this run seriously while I've barely got the stamina. If we run two separate routes, I won't feel like I'm holding her back."
YODA
Madam Wong, a 40-year-old senior manager, chose the light side for its goodie bag, which includes a Yoda plush toy and a BB-8 medal.
She said: "The medals do look cool... We just plan on completing the run. We're not competitive-level sporty types."
The couple are also excited about the slew of Star Wars activities leading up to Star Wars Day on May 4, and to mark the 40th anniversary of the release of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. (See report below.)
Mr Lin said: "We have been meaning to expose our five-year-old daughter Arielle to the Star Wars universe so we are really looking forward to the festivities."
Passionate runner makes it a family affair for Star Wars Run
Thirty five runs a year, or about three runs per month.
That's how much Star Wars fan Kenny Mok, 50, enjoys running events.
Mr Mok, who works in the mining and resource industry as a head of operations in compliance, started running in mid-2013 as he wanted out of his sedentary lifestyle.
It soon turned into a passion - so much so that he runs two to three times a week, completing at least 10km in about an hour.
Mr Mok is so keen on the upcoming Star Wars Run that he signed up for back-to-back runs for the light side - the 10km competitive segmentfollowed by the 4.5km, which starts an hour later.
And he won't be doing it alone. Mr Mok is running the 4.5km with his 17-year-old daughter, Stephanie. His 14-year-old son Timothy will be running the 4.5km dark side route by himself.
Having been a Star Wars fan since he watched the first movie in 1977, Mr Mok is looking forward to picking up the "cool and unique" light side medals - Millennium Falcon for the 10km and BB-8 for the 4.5km - given out for each run.
He told TNP: "Such medals are earned and not sold in stores. And the designs look great. I've always loved the look and sound of the Millennium Falcon since I was a kid."Mr Mok has joined other themed runs before, like the Justice League, Snoopy and My Little Pony, but the Star Wars Run promises more with its unique atmosphere and various activities and photo-taking opportunities.
He said: "My family is not into running but will participate when there is something that piques their interest, like themed runs or charities.
"And there is nothing more exciting than Star Wars, especially on its 40th anniversary."
He added: "I'm happy to be engaged in an activity I love with them."
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