Yellow Ribbon Race 2022

Yellow Ribbon Race 2022 – Racing on Foot, Wheels and Water for Second Chances

SINGAPORE, 25 September 2022 – The Yellow Ribbon Project (YRP)’s annual flagship run has been rebranded this year as the Yellow Ribbon (YR) Race, which includes both physical and virtual race categories, expanding how the public can show their support for second chances for ex-offenders. The hybrid race event aims to increase awareness on, and garner support from corporations and the public for the Yellow Ribbon cause. Themed ‘I Race for Second Chances’ this year, participants from all walks of life can choose their preferred race mode to pledge their support for ex-offenders.

Yellow Ribbon Race 2022

Physical race

After two years, the physical race returned today, with new routes at the Changi Prison Complex for 6KM and 10KM race categories. About 3,000 participants, including members of the Home Team, key partners and volunteers, and members of the public, joined in the race.

Guest-of-Honour, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr Lawrence Wong, flagged off both the 6KM and 10KM races at the physical event, and participated in the YR Race. During the event, he shared words of encouragement for ex-offenders and participants of the event, “Each effort, no matter how small, is paramount towards building a more inclusive society, a nation that believes in second chances and beyond. With society’s trust and support, ex-offenders can step up and contribute actively towards a better future for all of us.”

At the physical race event, inmates’ talents were also showcased at the YR Exhibition, including art pieces, songs, and culinary dishes. The exhibition also featured Yellow Ribbon-themed activities and games, where participants left messages for inmates, and pedaled a dynamo bicycle to light up an LED Yellow Ribbon in show of their support.

Virtual race

The virtual race, which runs from 1 to 30 September 2022, comprises two categories. Participants can clock any distance on foot, wheels, or water under the YR Care category, while those looking to challenge themselves can choose to join the YR Courageous duathlon category, which involves a 20KM run and 60KM cycle.

This year’s virtual race saw the participation of supervisees and ex-offenders, while concurrently supporting sustainability initiatives. Supervisees from Institution S2, who are serving the tail-end of their sentences under Community-Based Programmes, clocked their distance on water together with their Reintegration Officers, as they kayaked while conducting a clean-up of Sembawang Beach, as part of Project Blue Wave by PAssion Wave. Residents from the HEB-Ashram Halfway House also clocked their distance on foot, while supporting NParks’ Invasive Species Management (ISM) Activity by removing invasive plant species at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Ex-offender and race participant, Andyn Kadir, said, “As we race for second chances, we hope that the public knows that ex-offenders can also be givers instead of just takers. I hope we, ex-offenders, can show through our actions that we have learnt from our past mistakes, and can contribute meaningfully to the community that has supported us.”

All participants of the YR Race will receive a race pack, which includes a YR Race T-shirt that, for the first time since the run started in 2009, incorporates designs by inmates. 210 inmates submitted their designs, each reflecting their hope for second chances. Participants of the physical race also received crochet medal keychains handmade by 40 women inmates from Institution A4.

Vice-Chairperson of the YR Race 2022 Committee and Superintendent of Institution B5, SUPT Kok Weng Chew, said, “With the expanded race categories, we hope that everyone, regardless of abilities or interests, can join us in showing support for ex-offenders and their families.”

Looking ahead

Following the YR Race, the Yellow Ribbon Project will be organising the Yellow Ribbon Community Arts Festival at Gardens by the Bay in November 2022. More details will be released closer to the date.

Singapore Prison Service
25 September 2022