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If you want to have healthy, glowing skin, a good night-time skincare routine is essential. When you apply the right products to your skin before you sleep, your skin absorbs the ingredients, allowing them to penetrate for maximum efficacy. Also, the rate of new skin cell growth speeds up during sleep. This means that sleeping has a restorative effect on the skin. By selecting the right skincare products, you can help to repair damage sustained during the day, caused by everything from stress to environmental pollutants. However, everyone’s skin is different and everyone needs to create a night-time skincare routine that targets their skin concerns.

Learn how to achieve the ideal regimen for your skin type.

Cleanse

Regardless of skin type, the first step in any skincare routine is the cleanser. It’s the best way to rid the skin of dirt, oil, and any traces of makeup. If you have dry, sensitive skin, try a gentle, non-foaming cleanser with hydrating ingredients. People with acne-prone skin can use a foaming cleanser that penetrates deep into the pores and strips away unwanted oil. Many skincare aficionados swear by the two-step cleansing method: first they use an oil cleanser to remove makeup and grime, and then they follow this with a water-based cleanser. This method is even beneficial for people with oily, acne-prone skin, as it helps to regulate the skin’s oil production.

Tone

Toner isn’t an essential step in the skincare process, but toning products do help to prime the skin for the skincare products to follow. Most of them work by balancing the skin’s pH levels, which makes the skin more absorbent. Toners usually have a thin consistency, and they’re easiest to apply using a cotton ball. There are toners for all skin types, ranging from hydrating toners to pore tightening toners.

Exfoliate

For maximum skin health, you need to clear the pores and get rid of dead skin cells. This process is known as exfoliation and there are two main types of exfoliating products: chemical exfoliants and physical exfoliants. Physical exfoliants, like scrubs and facial brushes, manually slough off the outermost layer of skin. Chemical exfoliants, on the other hand, use acidic ingredients to get rid of dead skin. People with acne-prone skin should look for products with salicylic acid, which helps to dissolve the debris that clogs pores. People who want to ward off the signs of aging should opt for products with glycolic acid, which helps to diminish signs of fine lines and improve skin texture.

Treat

Treatments target specific skin care concerns. You can find treatments that minimise pore size, banish blemishes, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, or get rid of unwanted pigmentation. Popular treatment options include vitamin C serums, antioxidant serums, and ultra-hydrating serums for dry skin. Choose a treatment that suits your skin type, and then layer it over the preceding products to truly transform your skin.

Moisturise 

No matter your skin type, you need an effective moisturiser. They seal in moisture, keeping the skin healthy, hydrated, and free of fine lines. While people with oily or acne prone skin may be tempted to skip this step, it would be a mistake. Many anti-acne treatments are very drying, and they can strip the skin of natural oils, forcing it to over-produce to compensate. This becomes a vicious circle, where parched skin leads to more acne. Thankfully, there are moisturisers specifically designed for acne-prone skin. Try a moisturising gel specifically formulated for acne-prone skin. These gels often contain hyaluronic acid and aloe vera. People with dry or sensitive skin, on the other hand, should opt for a creamy lotion filled with hydrating ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, and shea butter. For extra hydration, some people add a few drops of oil to their moisturiser—argan oil, rosehip seed oil, and jojoba oil are all popular choices.

Eye Cream

The skin around the eye is thin and sensitive. To keep it plump and healthy, you need to give it extra attention. After you’ve applied your moisturiser, gently coat the skin around the eyes with a nutrient-rich eye cream. Don’t rub the cream into the skin, as it could irritate the delicate eye skin. Instead, tap eye cream into the area around the orbital bone, taking care not to get any cream into the eye. Whether you have oily or dehydrated skin, you should select an eye cream chock full of rich, skin-brightening ingredients. People with aging skin should select an eye cream formulated to reduce the appearance of lines and minimise puffiness. Common ingredients include shea butter, antioxidants, and vitamin C.

Applying Your Night-Time Skincare Routine

Once you’ve chosen products that suit your skin, it’s time for application. While this may sound self explanatory, applying products correctly can help to maximise results. As a rule of thumb, start with products with a thin consistency, and then gradually work up to products with a thick consistency. Depending on your skincare routine, you may choose to wait several minutes between each product application. This gives the skin the chance to fully absorb each product. This is especially true for potent treatments that contain ingredients like salicylic acid and retinol.

To help transform your skin and address visible signs of aging, go visit Dr. Anurag Agarwal’s website: https://www.aestheticsurgerycenter.com who is a facial plastic surgeon in Naples, FL. Dr. Agarwal recognises a patient’s desire for facial rejuvenation with minimal downtime and a non-invasive approach. Dr. Agarwal carefully listens to his patients to understand their goals before explaining their options. He will design a treatment plan that considers a patient’s anatomy, goals, and expectations.

Buying and giving gifts is harder than you might think. A lot of people dread having to go Christmas shopping in the later year, and God forbid anyone has a birthday coming up. It doesn’t help that a lot of people don’t know what they want to receive, and thus we’re desperately left to scrabble for a good idea to invest in.

If you’re the kind of person who dreads that scenario, this post is here to save you. After all, we’re not all gifted with the gift of…gift giving, and it’s time to change that! Here’s a couple of ideas that’ll hopefully spark some inspiration in you when the time comes to impress your friends and family with how well you know them.

Focus on Transport

Transport is an important part of life as we need to commute to work and go out, or meet our friends and travel for a good holiday when we want. And there’s plenty of gifts you can buy within this sector that are both practical and nice to receive. A traincard, for example, or a year long bus ticket that’ll take them all around a certain region. Or maybe even pay for their first 5 or so driving lessons. These will help make transport less of a hassle here.

If they have got a personal transport, you’ve got a bit more freedom here. You’re probably not going to be able to afford exactly what your mom wants; after all, cars are expensive, and you just can’t fork out for one on a whim! But you can still buy some practical items that can customise their old one, or signify that a bigger gift is coming in the future. You could even tell your mother that you’re going to try and ‘Find your Perfect Private Number Plate!’, and let her start rolling around town in style.

Find Some Clothes

If you want to buy someone a gift that’s going to keep on giving, try investing in the clothes department. Whatever you pick out here is going to serve someone for a few years to come (as long as you know the general themes of what someone else likes when it comes to their style).

Socks are an especially good gift to give, as long as your giftee is over the age of 18. Kids don’t tend to be all that impressed by such a mundane item, but adults love them. You can get creative patterns and funny slogans on them as well, so there’s something for everyone.

Actually, accessories as an overall work well here- hats and scarves are always nice touches, especially if you have your knitting skill to put to good use; and everyone loves to open a box and see jewellery inside it. Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, whatever!

Give some great gifts this year, whenever you need to, by using guides like this as your steering wheel. People often don’t know what they’d like to receive, so make your gift good enough to show them!

India is one of the places that have some heartening sights and mesmerising views. So, selecting of the vacation destinations in this country seems to be really infinite starting from various scenic destinations and different culturally and historically soaked sites to the cities bustling with confusions and chaos and the destinations that offer relaxed and laid-back stays. Among all the destinations, there is always the dilemma of selecting the destinations which are actually worthy of visiting. So, to help you out, here is a list of top 10 destinations in India that you must visit.

#1 Kye Monastery, Himachal Pradesh

The Kye Gompa is considered to be one of the ancient monasteries in the Himalayan range. This is also a sacred old place where the lahmas are being trained for thousands of years. Situated at the height of 13,668 ft in the Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, this is a famous lamasery in India. There are three main floors in this monastery. One of these floors is located underground and it is mainly used as storage. Besides, there is also a room, known as Tangyur and this includes richly painted murals. The Kye monastery is very well known for the collection of old books and murals including several images of Buddha. The ground floor of this monastery includes beautifully decorated cells for monks and the Assembly Hall.

#2 Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh 

Located in the valley of the Tawang River, the Tawang Monastery is the largest monastery in the northwestern part of Arunachal Pradesh. Also known as the “Celestial Paradise on a clear night”, this place is popular for its true divine beauty. This monastery is developed like a mansion and the interior part of this monastery includes murals of saints and divinities painted on those that adds more spirituality to this monastery.

#3 Dawki River, Meghalaya

Dawki is a small town located in the West Jaintia Hills district located in Meghalaya and this town is also located on the border between Bangladesh and India. The Dawki River is the center of attraction of this town. The translucent water of this river captivates the minds of the tourists. The Dawki Bridge on this river offers a beautiful photographic view of this river.

#4 Dzuluk, East Sikkim

Situated in the rugged terrain of the Himalayan ranges, this place is now gaining loads of popularity among the tourists. In this place, a wonderful view of the eastern Himalayan Mountain range entices the minds of the travelers as well as their harmonious feelings.

#5 Cola Beach, Goa

This place is considered to be the “hidden paradise of Goa” and this place is also really difficult to reach. Although reaching to this place is tough, the beauty of this place would make the tourists fall for it. In fact, this is a secluded destination that obtains the beauty from the crystal clear water of the ocean and the scenic view of the place. Besides, this place has some serene surroundings where the tourists can enjoy a beautiful experience in the beach tents.

#6 Ladakh & Leh 

Apart from being a beautiful destination, Ladakh is a famous tourist destination among the bikers due to the marvelous roads that come with some infinite views. In fact, it is the dream of every biker to ride on the roads of Ladakh. The way to Ladakh also includes some amazing and ancient monasteries that add more color to this heavenly place. Apart from Ladakh, its capital Leh is also one of the most beautiful destinations in India that one must visit. The Royal Palace of Leh is the must visit here.

#7 Dal Lake, Jammu & Kashmir

This is one of the most popular tourist attractions of India with a crystal clear lake and colorful homes at the banks with the background of mountains. Going for a boat ride in this lake is actually a wonderful feeling that can move the tourists from inside.

#8 Andaman and Nicobar Islands

This is one of the union territories of India and this place is also the group of islands located at the juncture of the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Although this place is a secluded one, people prefer this place as one of the leading destinations in India because of the beauty of the place. This place comes with a beautiful shoreline that makes it a popular tourist destination. Besides, the beachside shacks of this place offer some delectable seafood.

#9 Pangong Lake, Ladakh

Also known as the high grassland lake of the Himalaya, this lake is the most beautiful place that you would ever see in your life. This place is so beautiful that it is just impossible to keep off the eyes from it. The lush blue water can take over the minds of the tourists completely. Besides, with the background view of the Himalayan range, it makes this place the perfect backdrop for some wonderful images.

#10 Lakshadweep

Also known as “a thousand islands” in the Sanskrit language, this place is the archipelago of three reefs, twelve atolls and five submerged banks with the total number of 39 islets and islands located in the southern part of India. The best thing about this place is that this place is entirely isolated. Things like warm water, untouched archipelago lagoons, and also the pure beauty of the coral reefs make this place heaven for both nature lovers and divers. The main islands of Lakshadweep are Agatti, Kavaratti, Amini, and Minicoy.

Sarah is a creative writer in www.holidayfactors.com, a leading online holiday marketplace in Dubai, UAE

Running makes you happy. Most runners know this nostrum. But why does running make you happy? For some, running gives you a sense of personal achievement and satisfaction, for others it is escaping the everyday madness and for other, it is about being outdoors and connecting with nature. In any case, running is an activity that is accessible to most people. There is no need for formal training, special equipment or membership fees. The only thing you really need is a decent pair of running shoes and some comfortable clothing. Running outdoors is also very different from cycling on the spinning bike indoors. Read below to see more on our top reasons why running makes you happy.

Reason 1: Runner’s High

Running is known to release endorphins in the brain that trigger a positive feeling in the body. Endorphins make a person more energetic, alert and happy. This feeling is referred to as a “runner’s high,” which can kick in during a run, after or both. In addition, according to a Canadian study, the runner’s high may also be due to the hormone leptin. When you’re in motion, your leptin levels drop, which researchers suggest could send a hunger signal to the brain to generate a sense of pleasure. Running also encourages your body to release serotonin which elevates your mood.

Reason 2: Better Shape

Running like any other type of vigorous exercise helps you to get into better physical shape. The better shape you are in, the stronger you will feel. Being in better shape affects not only your body and overall wellbeing but also improves your mental state. Make sure you hydrate properly before and after your run. Drink electrolytes or take supplements if you need to.

Reason 3: Flexibility

You can run as little or as much as you want, in short spurts or longer runs. You can fit it during your lunch hour (runch), do it first thing in the morning before you head out to work, or after work as a way to wind down. You can do it a few times a week or just during the weekend. Whatever you decide, whatever you choose, you have the flexibility to customise your workout to fit your lifestyle.

Reason 3: Me-time

Running is the perfect time to get away from the everyday humdrum and escape. Not only will you get some quiet time, exercise, get away from the craziness, you will also get that coveted me time. Running will help you clear your mind and achieve a level of calmness, almost Zen-like.

Reason 4: Sense of Community

Running can provide a supportive social group. Even though running is an individual activity, it can actually help you connect with other inspiring people. Runners are very supportive of each other and are actually quite social. There are many online groups that provide advice, motivation, experiences and tips. Running with friends or interacting with other runners you meet along the way, can provide connections and a supportive network.

Reason 5: Self-Esteem and Confidence

Running improves your self-esteem and confidence by increasing endorphins, getting in better shape, working towards a goal and achieving them. Bettering your own performance and goals will boost your confidence and keep you running for more.

For other articles like this one, make sure you visit Consumer Health Review.

Huawei has surprised the world with its revolutionary P20 smartphone and to be honest, ever since news of it came about; I was very much tempted to get my hands on it because the P20 is not just an ordinary smartphone. In fact, the P20 is the world’s first Leica triple camera smartphone that is armed with the world’s largest 40-megapixel lens and a ridiculously high ISO of 102400! What this means is that low-light photography is possible and every image taken by the P20 can be printed billboard-sized without being pixelated.

What I also do like about the P20 is its big battery capacity of 4000mAh and that is almost one and a half times more than the iPhone X! This means that with the P20, you can take more photos than usual and share them on social media all day long!

Running on Huawei’s one Kirin 970 AI chipset, the P20 can optimise itself to your usage habits and dedicate more RAM to those more frequently used apps!

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Having heard and read so many positive reviews about the P20, I have no doubt that Huawei is one step to becoming one of the top market leaders in the highly competitive smartphone industry with a niche in smartphone photography.

With an attractive price point, the P20 is definitely the smartphone to get if you’re into photography because you don’t need to lug all your gears to take those visually stunning photographs!

For more information about the Huawei P20, you can check it out here!

This post has been presented by but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lazada turns 6 this year and from 24th to 26th April, there are more than 600 flash deals and vouchers worth up to $120 to be given away! That’s not all!

Lazada will be offering some pretty exclusive and limited brand Surprise Boxes worth $100 and they are going for only $29! With brands like ASUS, Laneige, JBL, and even Hasbro; these brand Surprise Boxes will certainly be a steal.

Now, I have the privilege of unveiling the Lazada X ASUS Accessories Surprise Box and out of the many items that are inside the Suprise Box, I will reveal one item that can be found in the Surprise Box!

Are you ready?

Ta-dah!

One of the items that you can find in the Lazada X ASUS Accessories Surprise Box is the ASUS ROG Strix Impact Gaming Mouse worth $89 and if you are an avid gamer, this is one Surprise Box you do not want to miss!

Available on the 24 April 2018, Tuesday @ 2 pm; I am pretty sure all the gamers out there will certainly want to get their hands on this so if you are one of them, set your alarm clock and get your fingers ready to do some serious shopping because these Surprise Boxes tend to get snagged up really fast!

About the ASUS ROG Strix Impact Gaming Mouse

The ASUS ROG Strix Impact Gaming Mouse is a Lightweight optical MOBA gaming mouse with an ergonomic-ambidextrous design featuring ASUS Aura Sync RGB LED lighting technology.

Some other features include: 

  • Omron® switches with 50-million-click durability
  • Left and right buttons separated from body chassis for improved responsiveness
  • Low-friction, drag-free cable with specialized soft rubber coating
  • DPI switch with indicator for on-the-fly sensitivity adjustments
  • Intuitive ROG Armoury software interface for easy customization of button, performance, and lighting settings

If gaming is not your cup of tea, you might want to look out for 4 exclusive premium beauty boxes that are going for $50 and if you did not manage to snag up any Surprise Boxes, fret not because there are many other products that are having a discount of up to 90% off!

Get ready for an exciting birthday bash with Lazada as they turn 6!

I hope to share this as early as I could but because I was bound for Bangkok right after the show, I wasn’t able to. Now that I’m back, I hope to get this piece done so that you all don’t miss this great opportunity to catch “The Secret”, Jay Chou’s Jukebox Musical.

About “The Secret”- Jay Chou’s Jukebox Musical

Jay Chou’s “The Secret”, is a ground-breaking new Chinese musical blending the power of Jay Chou’s pop music with his award-winning film, into a fantastic engaging new Broadway musical format. Created by a Tony award-winning Broadway team, “The Secret” is a romantic, funny, heart-warming story about love and family; bridging time and space.

My Personal Thoughts & Opinions

I really enjoyed the production throughout and there were many moments when I broke out in laughter and tears. The casts did a wonderful job of engaging the audience and I really wouldn’t mind watching the show a second time. If you have watched Jay Chou’s movie, “Secret”; you might find the plot of the musical to be rather similar. However, not everything in the musical is the same as the movie and furthermore, the experience of watching a musical is definitely different from watching a movie. There were even times when I unknowingly started humming and singing to Jay Chou’s songs during the musical just because I was so immersed in the performance.

This is a passion, friendship, love, family and youth filled musical not to be missed! You will laugh, you will cry and you will sing; so get ready for a really good show and standby some tissue papers.

If you have not caught The Secret, Jay Chou’s Jukebox Musical; don’t miss this opportunity and book your tickets as the show closes this Sunday!

Synopsis

THE SECRET is an adaptation of Chinese pop star Jay Chou’s multi award-winning directorial debut, Secret. THE SECRET’s storyline is a travel through time with a student and piano major, Xianglun, and the beautiful and mysterious Xiaoyu, his fellow student. A beautiful romantic love story unfolds as the secret that connects them is revealed.

Created by award-winning Broadway team, the musical features Jay Chou’s 25 most famous songs – Clear Stars <<星晴>>, Listen to Mother’s Words <<听妈妈的话>>, Simple Love <<简单爱>>, The Tea Grandpa Makes <<爷爷泡的茶>>, Rooftop <<屋顶>>, The Fragrance of Rice <<稻香>>, Nocturnes <<夜曲>>, and Fine Day <<晴天>>, Dandelion’s Promise <<蒲公英的约定>> in addition to hilarious large scale production numbers of Sailors Afraid of Water <<水手怕>> and Cowboy is Very Busy <<牛仔很忙>>.

Travelling solo as a woman can be rather daunting. But the reality is, there are many women who travel solo and are more independent and confident because of it!

Courtesy of YOTEL Singapore, here are the top 5 must-dos for ladies who are embracing solo travelling for the first time:

1.  Stay In Touch & Connected

When you’re travelling alone, it’s always important to keep your loved ones updated on your whereabouts. Dealing with a bad connectivity or limited internet access can be frustrating, especially during talk time, so be sure to check your lodging’s internet capabilities. YOTEL Singapore, for instance, offers unlimited and super-strength WIFI for all guests – so, you won’t have to worry about the internet being patchy when you on a video call with mum.

(Image by Bruce Mars)

2.  Location! Location! Location!

We all know that picking a good location to stay is important, but even more so when you’re travelling alone for the first time. Staying in a city centre can definitely help you feel more secure, and it’s a great spot that’s typically walking distance from public transport. Take YOTEL Singapore for example, it’s situated in the heart of Singapore’s shopping district and just minutes away from buses and trains – easy peasy!

(Image by Kaique Rocha)

3.  Be A Smart Packer & Pack Light

Packing light doesn’t mean looking like a hobo, you can still take your cute outfits along, but striking a balance is key! Pack a good mix of clothes and shoes suitable for activities that you’re planning to do – adventures, nightlife or a trip to the museum – and bring pieces that you can mix and match to wear them in more than one way. Rolling your clothes instead of folding them is also another great way to save on baggage space. And of course, apart from a girl’s beauty essentials, skip the shampoo, soap and conditioner which hotels like, YOTEL, readily provide.

(Image by naina.co)

4.  Always Have A Plan B

Ask any seasoned traveller and they’ll tell you that nothing ever goes to plan. Be it getting lost or going to a museum that happens to be closed, it’s always important to be prepared and have a Plan B so that you don’t waste time researching during your trip. Also remember to always keep important names, addresses and numbers on hand – grabbing the hotel’s business card at the reception is a quick way to do this and it certainly comes in super handy if you don’t speak the local language.

(Image by @theoccasionaltraveller)

5.  Embrace Meeting New People!

Travelling solo doesn’t have to be lonely. There are always plenty of opportunities to make new friends while you’re exploring a new city. The best place to start could even be in your hotel lobby! Have a chat with them and who knows, maybe you’ll end up exploring the city together. You could also join a tour to mingle with other tourists or join online travel communities like Meetup or Facebook groups to see if they organise events in the area that you’re travelling to. By the end of your trip, you’d have met a whole new bunch of people!

(Image of Mission Control, by YOTEL Singapore)

Last but not least, always trust your gut. If you’ve got a sinking feeling that something isn’t right, then it probably isn’t, so always be on your guard!  

Psst… I just have to share this with you!

Guests looking to book with YOTEL can register for a membership that will save at least 10% each time they book their stay in New York, Boston and Singapore. Membership is simple and easy, with no blackout dates and no restrictions – all you need to do is just sign up here.

The entertainment industry is not for the faint-hearted. The road to fame and fortune is littered with broken dreams and for every success story, there are a thousand people who never made it as a professional actor. This is not to say you won’t ever make a living in the industry, but it’s important to maintain a sense of realism. Most successful actors spend many years in the wilderness before they score their lucky break – and often, “luck” is what it takes to be a success.

Despite the trials and tribulations that you will almost certainly face in your quest to be an actor, with talent and determination, you can have a career treading the boards on stage or on a TV or movie set. Here’s what you need to know to get your career off to a flying start.

Start Early

If acting is in your blood, you will be a performer from a very young age. You are unlikely to go into the industry if performing in front of an audience makes your blood run cold; so take every opportunity to score parts in school plays, amateur theatre groups, and any other venues where you can hone your talent.

Learn the Right Skills

Acting is a job like any other, so you will need the right skills. Going to drama school is a tried and tested route into the entertainment industry, so if you are still at school but have a burning desire to act, now would be a good time to look at suitable schools where your talent can be nurtured. This acting school can help mould you into a performer – they offer day and night classes and you can pay weekly.

You don’t need to be a young and gifted entertainer to benefit from acting classes. Anyone can sign up. It’s a great way to learn new skills and learn about up-and-coming casting calls. You may even be spotted by a casting director, agent, or producer!

Build a Resume

The more experience you have, the better, so apply for as many acting jobs as possible. Even if you aspire to work in the theatre, don’t dismiss other types of work, as all experience counts. A full resume is much better than a sparsely populated resume unless you are just starting out, of course.

Hire an Agent

In the early days, you won’t need an agent, but if you take your career seriously, an agent will prove invaluable. Their job is to maximise their network of contacts in the industry to get you auditions for suitable roles. Many auditions won’t be advertised, so without an agent, you wouldn’t know about them.

Network

Work hard to build a network of contacts within the industry. Thanks to social media, this is now easier than ever. Build your brand by creating a website and keeping it updated with news, links to your work product, and anything else that might catch the eye of a producer or casting director.

If acting is your dream, don’t give up. You will have your chance to shine!

When I first heard about the District Race, I have to be honest that I raised my eyebrows slightly as I wasn’t sure what to expect. In fact, I even questioned whether I should participate in the race at all. Having completed the District Race Singapore 2018, I have to be upfront that I truly enjoyed the race and it is definitely one of the best race events that I have participated till date. With over 80 virtual checkpoints and challenges spread over five districts, there was never a dull moment and the best part is that I get to spend some meaningful time with Jacqueline to explore Singapore’s many nooks and crannies.

District Race Singapore 2018 #weareallexplorers//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

My experience as an Outdoor Educator/Outdoor Teacher has given me a bit of an advantage for the District Race as I often bring my students on learning journeys to the 5 districts of the race. Armed with the knowledge of how the route was going to be like and the kind of traffic conditions that we were expecting, Jacqueline and I skipped the Chinatown, Uptown, and Downtown districts and explored the Gardens and Kallang districts instead. This was despite the fact that the checkpoints in the Chinatown, Uptown, and Downtown districts were pretty nearby to each other.

District Race Singapore 2018 #weareallexplorers//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

Just so you know, there was no set route or distance for the District Race Singapore 2018 and the goal of the race was to collect as many points as possible in two hours. Thus, crossing the finishing line with the best timing was really not the intent of the race and for Jacqueline and myself, we actually walked throughout so that we could see, hear, smell, touch and connect with Mother Nature at the Gardens District. Having said that, the District Race is suitable for beginners and professionals alike. If you have been cooped up in the office and have not been exercising much, the District Race is a good avenue to kickstart your fitness regime. If a healthy dose of competition is what you are after, District Race’s gamification approach will definitely spur you on. 

District Race Singapore 2018 #weareallexplorers//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

To sum up, I totally love District Race because:

  • I did not have to jostle with other race participants for running space.
     
  • I got to plan my own race route and set my own pace.
     
  • I was able to explore the places around the checkpoints without worrying too much about time.
     
  • I had the opportunity to spend meaningful time with my race partner without any pressure to cross the finishing line in the best timing possible.
     
  • Most importantly, I really like the Adidas event tee-shirt!

District Race Singapore 2018 #weareallexplorers//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

From a business perspective, the District Race has got potential to scale up and while I am not exactly sure how much it cost the organisers to execute this race event; I am pretty sure it was not as logistics/manpower intensive as other race events that I have participated in. Some observations that I noted are as follows:

  • There were not many signages/banners put up as the District Race is pretty much self-directed. All the virtual checkpoints and challenges could be found on the District Race App and this gave participants the opportunity to pre-plan their route before race day. Some costs in terms of printing signages/banners and engaging people to put up and take down the signages/banners before and after the race would have been reduced.
     
  • Although Event Crews were placed at strategic points to aid with the race administration, I do not see the race needing much manpower as there were no hydration points provided. Thus, with the reduced number of manpower needed to execute the race; there would also be some cost savings as well.
     
  • When race participants completed a set number of checkpoints, they received pings on the District Race App that rewarded them with some attractive promotions from the Race Sponsors. This is definitely a great way to market some of the products and services from the Race Sponsors and it may actually help to boost the sales of relevant products and services!

Being the world’s first urban exploration race which uses Augmented Reality and location-based technology, the District Race will be launched in Hong Kong, Australia, USA and Western Europe subsequently. 

Given the opportunity, I will certainly join future District Races! Being an avid explorer myself, I will even consider flying to other countries where District Races are planned so that I can also plan a holiday there at the same time.

Kudos to the race organisers and their team for such an excellent and successful race. It has been such a long time since I enjoyed a running event where the ultimate goal is not about crossing the finish line but really to get outdoors and see, hear, and smell what the place has got to offer.

I give the District Race two thumbs up!