It's called the last race of the year as it started on the 30th and ended on 31st December 2004. A total of 24 hours non-stop race, with 508 bodies/127 teams sweating it out. Teams were to race against the clock and each other to reach the final destination. The team that covers the most Check Points (CP), completes tasks the fastest and within the specified time, without the use of the "Sjouk" or "Tikam" cards (cards that disclose the next destination) wins the race. To make the race more challenging, teams were only given $5 per person, not allowed to bring hand phones or easylink cards. It would also mean 24 hours of non-stop racing, no sleep, no rest and minimal food.

When I was first told of this race, I thought - this is a race for people who have nothing else better to do and I AM RIGHT!!! Just what was I thinking??!!

Despite all the fanfare, TSV managed to squeeze 3 teams of 4 pax each to take part in this challenge. The 3 teams were lead by Cedric, Corinne and I. It was a race to be remembered for a long time.

We reported at Choa Chu Kang CC at 6.15pm for the registration. By 8.30pm all the teams were packed into the huge hall where we were given puzzles and clues to different checkpoints of the Matrix. The Matrix was made up of a total of 7 checkpoints (CP1 to CP7). Each checkpoint had its point value and teams had to figure out how they would collect 100 points before they could exit from the Matrix. All the CPs also contained part of the clue to CP8 which was the pit stop of the Matrix. Solving the 7 puzzles was indeed a challenge. Fortunately my team, consisting of Marcus, Terence, Ethel and I, was able to do that pretty quickly and a plan was formed.

At the sound of a loud air horn, it was flag off at 10.00pm. All 508 bodies/127 teams dashed ahead amidst shouts of excitement and screams of joy. It reminded me of a scene right out of a marathon run. In fact, this was more challenging than any marathon run because it was a 24-hour endurance challenge.

As it was our virgin race, we were unaware that many seasoned participants were already in pre-arranged cars heading for their destinations! The first leg of the Matrix took us to Bukit Panjang Park. High on energy and adrenalin, we got there on foot quite quickly. Finding the CP was no easy task as the Guardians (officials who were at the CP handling the puzzles and clues) were well hidden from the main roads. We managed to solve the puzzle very quickly and went on to our next CP. For the rest of the CPs within the Matrix, we were fortunate to get a couple of free rides from people who were curious as well as being caught up with the frenzy of our excitement.

Some of the tasks in the Matrix included one team member carrying another on his back and then walked across a 3m pebbled reflexology path - you should hear the guys scream!! Another CP required all four members to tie their legs together and perform a 5-legged walk. Any uncoordinated move would send the team tumbling into a heap. On the way to Zhenghua Park, we were running on an 8km connector and we kept repeating, "Where are our skates??" If only we could skate the whole journey - it would mean heaven and earth. Urghhhhh...

We completed the Matrix (CP8 - Kranji Secondary School) at about 12.30am (21/2 hours) - not bad for starters. CP9 was a dark and wet forest trail running alongside an army camp. We walked and ran on this trail that was totally dark and marked sparingly with markers scattered inconspicuously. At one point, we jumped right into an ankle-high toxic mud puddle. The slime was almost unbearable as we continued along the trail. Blisters began to form in our wet shoes, but we gritted our teeth and continued to brave our way through. Eventually, we emerged 11/2 hours later at Lorong Bistari wet, smelly, blistered and tired. We discovered later that we were actually ranked 13th up till that point - fantastic work! Corinne and team came out after about 25 minutes behind us - good job! The next puzzle directed us to Jurong Hill.

Someone flagged down a lorry and everyone jumped in. I've learnt very quickly that you also need very thick skin to be able to survive in this game, as hitch hiking comes as natural as breathing once you're into the game. We were all dropped off at Woodlands and were left stranded for quite a while here. Fortunately, we were able to hitch a ride from a kind soul who was actually on his way home and he gave us a lift all the way up Jurong Hill - thank God for His angels. SurpriseÉ Corinne's team was already there because they managed to get a ride all the way from the last CP. Very fortunate and a good job! The task of balancing 14 nails on a single nail proved too much for Corinne's team, while our team completed the task easily. The puzzle led us to Kranji Nature Reserve. When we left, Corinne's team was still struggling with the task, while Cedric's team was nowhere to be seen. We thought, perhaps they were way ahead of us?

Getting to the next place proved really tough as there were no cars to hitch a ride from at 3.30am!! After the longest time, we managed to flag down a taxi who gave us a ride half way to our next destination. We jogged and ran for about 2km before we managed to catch another ride. By now, Ethel began to struggle as her knees were giving her pain.

At CP11, it was another dark and wet 8km trail. We walked in a straight line hand in hand, and even sang along the way. With the night drizzle, it was a nice relaxing run/walk along the trail as we were next to the Kranji Beach.

CP12 was at Lim Chu Kang Cemetery. We managed to hop onto another hitch-hiked bus and were dropped off half way again. We ran and walked for another 4km together with four other teams. At one point, a public bus passed us and didn't stop at the bus stop. To our surprise, there was a team in the bus staring down at us! Our blessing came when a car came strolling by and stopped right in front of our team. The glare from the rest could have burnt right through us as we hopped into the car.

The driver thought we were mad to be going to a cemetery in the middle of the night. He said, "You come here to look for things ahh??" He must have thought we were all crazy!! I've often heard jokes about people going to the graves to do some silly things in the middle of the night and it has NEVER crossed my mind that I'd be one of them!

This puzzle proved really tough as our dear Marcus ran up and down trying to get all the correct clues. I laid down for a rest while waiting for Marcus. I thought, "Hmmm.... not a bad place to be finally resting myself.... nice skies.... peaceful.... cool breeze.... WAIT A MINUTE; I'm in a race.... What was I thinking?" Guess the fatigue got the better of me.

After a long while, the clue made out to be "ONE KING ALBERT PARK". How were we going to get from Lim Chu Kang to Holland without enough money and in the early morning 6.30am? As we were walking out to the main road, saw a taxi, a car and a lorry waiting for some of the competitors for more than an hour, and I thought, "This is not right, how come they have transport waiting for them already?" I realized then that this is a competition and "fair playing field" is NOT a big moral in this kind of situation. Hmmmm.... now I got it!

We managed to hop onto a lorry where some other competitors were in. Everyone was dropped off at West Wood Secondary School except for this family, and then I knew for sure that the lorry was their arranged transport! From here it was really tough getting a ride without money. We wasted a lot of time trying to hitch a ride but to no avail. Finally, we took a bus to Jurong and waited for the longest time before we managed to get a ride all the way to King Albert Park. By now, there were at least 25 teams there and it was raining steadily.

We scribbled down all the clues and puzzles and quickly continued our way to the next destination. The next route was another trail with the starting point near King Albert Park - the Malaysian Railway Track. It was an old abandoned railway track which is about 18km long. As it is Malaysia owned, that means we were on Malaysia ground without passport!! Amazing!!

Of the 3 trails, the Malaysian Railway Track was the most treacherous, it almost "got" me or would have at least injured me quite badly if not for the angels who held on to me. At one point, we were forced to climb up a hill because a huge tree fell across the path. As the soil was really soft and slippery after the rain, I was sliding down the hill. As I tried to break fall by hanging onto a tree, the tree broke apart as it was totally hollow inside. Somehow, I managed to hang on to a little solid stub at the base of the tree and I knew the angels were there holding onto me :) Thank you God. As Marcus said, "God's angels are very busy today trying to save many people". They sure did save me!

We ran all the way along the 18km trail amidst rain, muddy soil, broken leads, fallen trees, biting blisters, ankle deep puddles, tired bodies and very hungry stomachs. When we emerged at Ulu Pandan after 21/2 hours (about 11.00am), we were told by the Guardian that the rest of the CPs had been aborted because of the time factor - not a single team had completed the task within the given time and the Haven had closed! We were told to go to the Haven - a major CP/Pit stop where it marked the end of the 1st leg. This was at Kranji War Memorial. After much discussion, we decided to take a cab there.

At Kranji Memorial, there were more than 40 teams there. At this point, my team had completed 16 CPs while many did not even complete 10 and simply went direct to this Haven. Battered, blistered, bruised, demoralized, hungry and tired, we decided to throw in the towel - like the rest of the 40 teams there.

It took us 2 bus rides and another 5 km of walking on foot before we finally reached Choa Chu Kang CC. Boy were we glad this was over. We found out later that none of the 127 teams completed the race ranked. This crazy race proved to be too impossible for all.

Immediately we went to the food court nearby and ordered ourselves the hottest and biggest bowls of Fish Noodles. Never had food tasted this good! After this sumptuous lunch, we headed for the CC and logged out as we heaved a sigh of relief. We had toiled for a total of 16 hours - no sleep, no food, without using the Help Cards and under impossible conditions - we are really proud of ourselves.

I tell you, this is for the crazies and guess what, I was one of them!! Will I do this again? Of course! I guarantee you that I'd be there next year - as the official food vendor - selling hot soup in the night and delicious ice-cream in the day.

Guess what, I had FUN :b Though my muscles are screammmming :x

I want to thank my 3 team mates Marcus, Terence and Ethel for their wonderful effort, endurance and for looking out for each other. Despite the pain and discomfort, never once did I hear them complain. You're the best!

Thank you God for looking after TSV's 3 teams and the other participants while we were out there in the wilderness. Thank you for the keeping us safe and giving us the strength and endurance. Until next time... ZZzzzzzzzzzz