Message from Race Director

Dear adventurers

Many may view that the Race Director is the soul of an event. But for Ace Adventure Challenge (AAC), the soul lies in you, the racers, the volunteers, and the sponsors. As the key person driving AAC, I have been very fortunate to have the support of our local sports athletes (including non Singaporeans who based here for work), friends, sporting brands, retailers. I strongly believe that without you, even if I will to declare that my passion to organise a race is as great as the ocean, AAC will not happen.  

Team Singapore Power gladly accepted the invitation to flag-off the "inaugural" AAC

So, a big Thank You for supporting AAC. I have never imagined that AAC can come this far. When I organised it for the first time in 2003, I never fully plan to do it year after year. I recalled a report written by Ms. Chang Ee Ping (a female member of the then Team Singapore Power, invited to flag-off the first AAC; most who have raced long enough should know her strength in endurance sport), she jolly reported the race as "the Inaugural Ace Adventure Challenge". I was stunned and had tried to convince myself that "inaugural" didn't necessary imply that it would happen again the following year. I thought it was impossible. I was convinced anyway, and had managed to convince the lovely friends I have to join forces with me, thus AAC went on and on.  If AAC is your first, I welcome you.  For the veterans of AAC, I salute you. I thank you for your courage to race.

Volunteers/friends worked hard from dusk to dawn

AAC is not an easy race, and have nothing close to comfort. Why is that so you may ask given that our terrain is nothing compared to our neighboring countries. Very simple, because racers and officials of AAC have to be self-sufficient, self-reliant, and place team above self.  Such skills raise the bar for entry to AAC because not many people can rise to the occasion. AAC do not have budget for conveniences and luxury services, most of the time we rely on racers and officials to Do-It-Yourself. Yes, D.I.Y. when you are dead tired and breathless. It is physically demanding and mentally challenging for both racers and volunteers.

One of the highly sort after high risk disciplines

There are risks involved in adventure racing. As a racer, your risk is high. You depended upon the organisers to set realistic challenges that will not jeopardize your personal and team safety. While the officials hope that racers will not commit careless mistakes that place everyone else at a higher risks. Being safe is so important; any innocent incident might just create a strong physical and psychological damage and repercussion to the sport. We got to manage the risks tactfully.

My aim has been to make adventure racing an easy access for people in Singapore - Singaporeans and foreigners working here. Therefore, I have created a new format, called the Trail Adventure. Our usual adventure race format will remain, and will continue to be my key focus to make it as challenging as ever. As for the new format - Trail Adventure, it provides a platform for those who are not ready to invest in racing equipment, or for those who enjoy the pure joy of running, to be part of the adventure racing community.

While we all gather to enjoy the art of suffering and pain, we have to remind ourselves of higher responsibilities out there. We must not forget to allow our younger generation to have the opportunity to do what we are enjoying now. Let's keep our environment well, keep our litter for the bin. Race responsibly by ensuring that you have the necessary skills and fitness to tackle the challenges. Spread the good spirit of adventuring, we will well be on our way to celebrate and enjoy adventure sports generation after generation.

See you at the start line!


Joanne Soo
Race Director
Ace Adventure Challenge

“Success is never final and failure never fatal. It's courage that counts.” 

- George F. Tiltonood