By Les Tan/Red Sports

running link

Runners used to dot the ridge that ran parallel to the golf course. No more. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)

I remember the day well. I started my run at MacRitchie and about 25 (make that 40 – see comments below) minutes later, I hit a path and saw the most beautiful scenery in Singapore.

It was drizzling but the sun was still out, the waters of Upper Peirce Reservoir were shining in the fading light. The place transported me out of place and time. This was my home and it was paradise.

For runners, the path that linked MacRitchie and Upper Peirce Reservoir is a magical path, one that takes them away from the urban jungle of Singapore life.

The path ran along the edge of the Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) golf course. But if you were of humble means, if you were an everyday man, if you didn’t have $250,000 to pay for a membership, it didn’t matter. You could still get the view, if you were willing to run.

But that view is lost to runners now.

PUB, the landlord, recently put up a barrier to the path, depriving runners that simple, edenic pleasure.

Now, unless you have a quarter of a million dollars in spare change and can join the 7,500 members of SICC, runners will have to stay out.

The ostensible reason for putting up the barrier is for the safety of runners from flying golf balls. For years, runners have taken that risk and most are willing to continue taking that risk.

Perhaps the restriction came about because a recent group of hooligans entered the golf course and the members raised it with the landlord to enforce the restriction.

Most reasonable runners have always kept to the top of the ridge. Most just want to run and don’t bother the golfers.

Running is a free pleasure for many who can’t afford fancy country club memberships and the view is a spiritual tonic.

For runners, it is paradise lost.

running link

If you started from Upper Peirce, you would head down this path… (Photo 2 © Les Tan/Red Sports)

running link

… and you would soon notice a barrier that wasn’t there before… (Photo 3 © Les Tan/Red Sports)

running link

… with a security guard making sure you don’t go around the barrier. (Photo 4 © Les Tan/Red Sports)

running link

When you get close, you’ll see this barrier and a sign… (Photo 5 © Les Tan/Red Sports)

running link

… telling you that paradise is lost – unless you have a quarter of a million bucks. (Photo 6 © Les Tan/Red Sports)

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What are your thoughts on the loss of the running link between the MacRitchie and Upper Peirce Reservoirs?

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