“Over the weekend of 3-5 September 2021, 27 gyms and boxes from 8 countries in our region held half-marathon rows in a bid to raise funds for worthy causes of our choice,” Sabrina Lim of CrossFit Enduro in Singapore wrote.
CrossFit athletes from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam set aside time — and no small amount of it at that, since 21,000 meters were involved — to support various philanthropic efforts dotted across South Asia.
The causes included a safe haven for women and children in Bali, supplies for abandoned animals, basic amenities for impoverished children in Gurgaon, India, and even supporting other CrossFit affiliates fighting to stay afloat in the pandemic — just to name a few.
Photo courtesy of the Bali Uluwatu Collective
Lim said the programmers for the event selected a half-marathon row because, “Many of our gyms are in lockdown or operating at a reduced capacity with strict social distancing measures. A rowing WOD that could be completed as a team over a number of classes fit the bill.”
“We also had an at-home … Tabata-style WOD for those under more strict lockdown regulations,” Lim added.
Photo courtesy of CrossFit Enduro
Phyllis Tan, one of the participants at Enduro, shared her experience:
When the #21kthrowdown was shared with us, I was all in! Firstly, it was a fundraiser to help communities around us that are struggling because of the pandemic. If whatever little effort I contribute helps the cause, let’s do it! Secondly, it’s rowing! I actually took a day off work so that I could be at the box for both morning and evening classes.
At CrossFit Enduro, the 6am crew kicked off the series of 21k and handed the baton over to the 7am and 930am crew. 5pm kicked off the evening row and handed the baton to the 6pm and 7pm classes. We worked in teams of 2 to 3 athletes on a round-robin cycle.
As it was a distance row, and we had plenty of time rowing, we took the opportunity to also pay attention to rowing form and technique. We also broke the monotony by playing around with split and stroke rate, and pushed each other during the short bursts of energy at the end of each other’s turn. It made covering the distance a lot more enjoyable even with increased heart rates.
At the end of the day, I think we covered ?? 21k. It is something I don’t mind doing again.
Lim was proud of what the community was able to accomplish over the weekend.
“It is heartwarming to see how CrossFitters in our region have given so generously from their hearts, and have used their fitness in the service of others in need,” Lim said.
Here are all the affiliates that participated in the event:
India 🇮🇳 CrossFit For Sure, CrossFit 303, CrossFit 367, CrossFit Life Performance, CrossFit MyDen, CrossFit Haridwar, CrossFit Lakshya, CrossFit Himalaya, CrossFit Blackfire, Once More CrossFit
Indonesia 🇮🇩 Uluwatu Collective
Malaysia 🇲🇾 CrossFit Vidatha, CrossFit Lah, Fit Factory JB
Philippines 🇵🇭 Merge CrossFit, Agila Strong, CrossFit Cabalen, CF Olongapo City
Singapore 🇸🇬 CrossFit Enduro, Battlefront CrossFit, WAO Fitness
Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 CrossFit Ceylon
Thailand 🇹🇭 CrossFit Pattaya, CrossFit Ten500, Locus Retreats, CrossFit Arena
Vietnam 🇻🇳 CrossFit Thao Dien
Here are a few more highlights from the weekend:
Photo courtesy of the Uluwatu Collective
Photo courtesy of CrossFit Life Performance
Photo courtesy of CrossFit Myden
Photo courtesy of Wao Fitness
Photo courtesy of CrossFit Vidatha
Grassroots Event in South Asia Combines Fitness and Philanthropy