It’s a family affair at this year’s National Runway Cycling and Skating

Contributed by Nurashikah Binte Anuar

Mr Abdul Hafiz and his family will be celebrating Father’s Day with a twist this June. Instead of toasting Father’s Day with the usual special Father’s Day breakfast and dinner whipped up by his wife and children for him every year, the father of two will be heading to the National Runway Cycling and Skating event with his family for the first time on June 20, 2010 to cycle.

The annual cycling event attracts some 6000 to 8000 participants each year. Jointly organised by SAFRA and the Republic of Singapore Air Force, this will be the second time the event is held on Father’s Day to give families the rare opportunity to celebrate the occasion in a unique way. “It will be special to spend the day with thousands of other fathers,” said Mr Abdul Hafiz, 33.

As a family, they cycle twice a week and even Mr. Abdul Hafiz’s son, Mohammad Zain, is slowly getting the hang of things. While the 3-year-old is still learning to pedal, his 1-year-old sister, Noor Alya, is content being his pillion rider for now.

“Everything from cleaning the bicycles to loading and unloading them from the car, and having the kids riding their bicycles with my wife and I, will provide great opportunities for family bonding,” the active father explained. Other than cycling, the family of four also spends quality time together by swimming and playing ball games at the beach every week.

As a couple though, Mr Abdul Hafiz and his wife, Ms Noor Azreen, enjoy jogging, swimming, diving and working out at the gym together. Cycling as a couple has also kept their relationship fresh.

“When cycling together, we will both decide on where to go and plan our cycling route. We will pack some food and coffee, and spend time chatting whilst resting on the picnic mat, in between our cycling. That’s important to us,” the 31-year-old mother explained.

Besides cycling and skating down the seemingly endless runway, families will also have the opportunity to indulge in a series of more than 10 childhood games dating back to the past decades since the 1950s such as Giant Snake and Ladder, marbles, hopscotch and many others. Through these games, organisers hope that fathers will be able to bond with their children as they share a piece of their fond childhood memories with them.

Mr Abdul Hafiz was very excited to introduce these childhood games to his children.

“The games we grew up with may not be as high-tech as the computer games that children play nowadays, but they are definitely beneficial as they help improve motor and social skills,” he said.

“These games will teach them creativity, the importance of interacting with other children, and that it does not have to cost a lot of money to have fun. It also shows them that there is another world beyond the computer screen.”

Besides playing nostalgic games and sharing fond memories with each other, families are also in for a visual treat with other fringe activities planned for the Carnival segment, including a static display of an F-15SG Aircraft and stunt bike performances.

Registration for the leisure categories will be closing on 16 June so families are encouraged to sign up for the event soon. The event will be held at Paya Lebar Air Base.

For more information on the National Runway Cycling and Skating, please visit www.safra.sg/nrwcs.