Huang started running consistently during his first year at the National University of Singapore (NUS) as a form of cross-training for his competitive floorball season, which he had passionately played since secondary school days. His interest in running grew and decided to swap out floorball for running entirely. No turning back thereafter. 

Huang advocates that running should not always be a painful nor dreadful process. Avoid rushing into it or worrying about the paces and timings. Patience and consistency in the process will allow one to find their own rhythm. Running should be an enjoyable process, find out what works for you (with me) ;) !

Huang Qi Rui,

FFRC Run Leader 

Day one at FFRC?

“I knew some of the early members of FFRC from my part-time work at Barry’s where they frequented previously. Initially, I was skeptical about group runs and early morning alarms were a detraction. 

The group back then was small (in comparison to the 111 of you who came out as I’m writng this) with less than 20 people. We did an easy 45 minutes around marina bay and gardens by the bay, which ended at Arabica @ Capita Green! (There wasn’t even kaya, how was that allowed?)”

Nutrition Facts 

  • Half Marathon PB (SCSM 2023) - 1:47

  • Marathon PB (SYD 2024) - 3:37

  • Guilty Pleasure - Sour Patch Kids
    Must have - Running cap & Watch 

  • One shoe to rule it all - New Balance Rebel v4. 

  • Kaya hotspot - Huang does not like kaya (boo)

Wisdom

Don't rush it, take it easy! 

Don't worry about the paces and timings. Take your time to find your own rhythm and consistency. Hard work in running will always be reflected and rewarded, put in the effort and you will be rewarded but don’t expect 100% effort to always translate to 100% result. Most importantly, enjoy the process and find what works for you. 

P.S. Pick up running if you can’t cycle, not a bad alternative after all

Ingredients

  • Runs to take the mind off daily stress and the monotony of work

  • Floorball

Dream

  • Berlin Marathon

  • Sub-3 Marathon

Running Idol

  • Suguru Osako

What does being a run leader mean to you?

“For very long I have been running alone. I'm the same route every day kind of runner before i joined FFRC. And I have to admit, by doing that running can sometimes feel like a bit of a chore after a while, which makes it harder to stay motivated in the long run (the pun hehe). Being part of FFRC has helped me by putting me together with other like-minded individuals. We train hard together, but there is also that sense of community when we try a new breakfast place or explore a new route together. It makes running more than just a workout to check off your to-do list, and gives you a bit more to look forward to. I have benefitted greatly from FFRC in much more than just running. By being a run leader, I hope that I can help to give the same experience and more to other runners, and help make their running experience a better, more enjoyable one.”

What do you envision FFRC to be in 5 Years? what do you want it to be and where do you see yourself in that?

“I hope FFRC can continue to grow yet still still provide the same energy and sense of community that I experienced when I first join the modest group of 20 or so runners. The kind of experience that kept me coming back for more at 6:30am on my precious weekend mornings. I hope that i will still have the legs to lead my pace groups on Thursdays and Saturdays HAHA. But most importantly I hope I can continue to help other like-minded individuals in one way or another in their running journey by giving them the same positive experience that FFRC has given to me!”