Streams of colours overwhelmed the monotonous grey of the stands around Choa Chu Kang Stadium on 23rd March’09. Students donning blue, yellow, green, purple, grey and red skipped and sauntered into the stadium, eager and raring to go. War drums pounded loudly in their hearts. The great day once again approached. The day of Kranji Secondary School’s Sport Heat 1-cum- Mass Run.


With unwavering and indomitable determination, students gathered on the track, the battlefield of red and brown, their hearts set on the thought of achieving glory for their houses. No matter what. Students from the six houses had started arriving at the stadium as early as 2:45p.m even as the heats were at 3:00p.m.


This year each house had another advantage. Teachers were allowed to run. There was a catch though; their points to their respective houses would be doubled.


The war horn sounded with a loud and lasting beep. The mass run had kicked off. Students rushed to overtake each other. Round after round after round under the scorching heat of the sun. The great race seemed to last forever. Students raced to outdo, outrun, and outlast each other. The intensity among the competitors was searing.


Every last bit of energy was used up that day. Students crowded around the relief stations, red faced, tired, and proud.


“ I feel really happy that I was able to contribute to my house, ” panted Chu Jia Jun, 1A, “ I’m sure that Kestrel will win this year! ” he added.


“ I am here to support my house, ” breathed the red-faced Miss Adely Chen, “ it gives us all a sense of belonging, worth, and responsibility. ”


Teacher Mr Lim Gin Mia added, “ I am here to ensure that all my runners came. Besides that, I ran a total of 5 rounds! ”


Class 4D took advantage of the battle to sell drinks for their service learning project. A long queue snaked around their small booth. Grudges aside, sweaty faced students panted and waited to be served.


A smiling Camellia from 4D told Kranji Buzz zealously, “ We are selling drinks for charity. This event is voluntary but still many people turned up to help. The sale is going smoothly and I hope it stays this way. ”


Each kranjian gained a sense of belonging that day. They left the stadium tall and proud. Each elated to have contributed to the great battle. But all was not over. Somewhere in the distant future, the war drums sounded again… sports heat 2 was yet to come. The battle has only just begun.