SOME 4,000 children took to the streets around the Padang last Sunday promoting healthy lifestyle and eating habits for those aged two to 12.
The second Cold Storage Kids Run attracted more participants than the 3,000 children who attended last year.
Organiser Terence Khoo, director of ESG Endurance Sport, said there are many marathons run in the Padang area. Although many have a small component for children, there is no such run tailor-made for kids.
On Sunday's event, the longest run was 1.4km, and the shortest was 700m. The races were devised by sports experts, who determined the optimal distances kids should run.
At the starting line was Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports Teo Ser Luck, who brought his children, aged seven and nine, as well as his friends' two kids to participate in the event.
After taking part in last year's inaugural event, he decided to sit this year's run out. 'They found me too slow,' he said with a laugh. 'So this year, my daughter said she wanted to run on her own.'
Other parents and children enjoyed themselves in the run as well as the carnival, where they could try their hand at shooting games and meeting other sporty kids.
'I love to run,' said seven-year-old Akkhaash Pillai and his four-year-old brother Akkshaye, who also attended last year's event.
The Kids Run is one of many events promoted by the Urban Redevelopment Authority to highlight the Marina Bay area as a vibrant hub for sports and lifestyle activities.
Mr Teo, who was the guest of honour, said that overseas, parents take their children out to sports activities, and also join in as coaches or referees.
But here, parents spend their weekends taking their children from one enrichment class to another.
'This Kids Run is one of the best sporting events that caters to the entire family,' he said.
He hopes that it will help cultivate a sporting culture, which he feels is still lacking in Singapore.
