UNDER ARMOUR

Soh Rui Yong is no stranger to competitive distance running. He is Singapore’s current national record holder for the 5km, 10km, Half-Marathon and Marathon distances. On top of his impressive list of local achievements, Rui Yong is also a two-times SEA Games gold medalist for the Marathon. His inputs as an Under Armour athlete have been instrumental to the design and engineering of the Velociti Elite. RUN SG caught up with him (literally) at Under Armour’s official launch event of the Flow Velociti Elite to find out more about his thoughts and experiences of the shoe.

RUN SG: The Flow Velociti Elite is Under Armour's first carbon-plated shoe that’s entering the market. What are your first impressions of it?

Rui Yong: I have really enjoyed being a part of the developmental process for the Velociti Elite. I think the development of this shoe started in 2020 or even earlier; I was only involved in it in 2021. I’ve been using it in my sessions and contributing to its development by giving Under Armour feedback on the final product which is quite different from the prototype that I was using. I set my personal best in a marathon in one of the prototypes, and that wasn’t even the complete product yet so it should be even better now.

RUN SG: How has the final product differed from the prototype that you've tested earlier?

Rui Yong: The shoe is definitely softer now. Initially, I think that it was a bit firm which made it feel more like a traditional racing shoe. Now with the additional cushion that’s been put in, the shoe is going to be a lot more comfortable especially at the longer distances.

RUN SG: How do you find the lockdown of the shoe, its grip, its durability etc.?

Rui Yong: I use the Velociti Elite a lot for track sessions. I haven’t used other super shoes in races but I’ve been told that at times, other super shoes tend to have a higher stack height which could be a bit uncomfortable when turning around bends at the track. I’ve never felt that in the Velociti Elite. So, one thing that I really like about this shoe is that you get the super shoe ‘feel’ but without the problems of instability at tight turns and all that.

RUN SG: What are some of the unique features of the Velociti Elite that helps it stand out from the competition of carbon-plated shoes?

Rui Yong: I haven’t used any of its competition for races yet but personally, I’m still quite old-school; I only rotate three pairs of shoes. My training shoe is the HOVR Sonic, my road racing and track workout shoe is the Velociti Elite and my spike shoe which I use for really fast track sessions or track races is the Shakedown Elite.

RUN SG: How does the Velociti Elite compare with similar speed-oriented shoes in the Under Armour shoe lineup?

Rui Yong: The Velociti Elite is definitely a huge step up. To be candid, you would really struggle to find a competitive Under Armour racing shoe previously. I’ve been using the Velociti Elite since the middle of 2021; I can’t really remember the shoe that I was using before that but it was really just a traditional racing flat.

RUN SG: Other than racing in the Velociti Elite, how else should amateur runners utilise the shoes in their own training program?

Rui Yong: Definitely use them for your key track sessions and your key tempo sessions to familiarise yourself with the shoes before using them for races. Don’t use the Velociti Elite for easy jogs and slow runs as I think the shoe, like any other super shoe, doesn’t feel that ‘natural’ or comfortable at slower speeds. You need to be going faster for your running gait to feel natural and comfortable with the shoes.

What the Velociti Elite has is a carbon-fibre plate and Pebax foam which in combination act as a rocker and a spring to push you forward in every step. The engineering of the shoes make them respond a lot better when you’re running fast. When you’re running slow, you’re not really throwing yourself forward whereas the Velociti Elite is meant to propel you. It’s the same reason why you wouldn’t use a chunky pair of training shoes for races - it just doesn’t feel natural or comfortable.

RUN SG: Drawing from your expertise in long distance racing, what are some of your considerations when you look for a pair of competitive long distance performance shoes?

Rui Yong: Comfort and lightness! In Singapore, it’s also important for the upper to be breathable and light as we sweat a lot due to the climate. If the upper is heavy, it just soaks up all the sweat and makes things miserable. What the Velociti Elite has is a very thin upper, you can even see your feet through it.

Under Armour has managed to get the formula right with Velociti Elite; it’s light yet cushy enough to protect your feet. When I raced my best ever marathon time, it was with the prototype of the shoe and I really felt that it was a huge step up from traditional racing flats that I had previously. My feet a lot better protected towards the late stages of the marathon as compared to traditional racing flats where you have sore calves and your legs just feel really beat up from 30km onwards. I can actually try and race the last few kilometres rather than struggle through them!

RUN SG: You have been involved in the development of the Velociti Elite for some time. What are some of the ways you think that the shoes can be improved in its next iteration?

Rui Yong: Well, if you make the shoe even lighter and springier, that would be the most simple way to improve the shoe.

RUN SG: What would be your advice for runners aspiring to reach your level of performance?

Rui Yong: It’s really about consistency. In Singapore, what I observed to be the main issue is that people lack consistency especially when you start working in a full-time. You don’t really have a good work-life balance as your working (or studying) hours could be quite a lot. It’s just the way that our Singaporean culture is. But if you can find 30 minutes or an hour a day to go out for a run and 1 to 2 hours twice a week for key sessions, I think that’s the consistency that can help you keep building on your fitness and not lose everything that you have gained. So I think that consistency definitely helps and finding the right group to push yourself on hard days helps too (I run in groups twice a week, alone or with a buddy on other days).

Keep your easy days easy and your hard days hard. So for hard days I’m running faster than 3 minutes per kilometre whereas I can be running up to 6 minutes per kilometre on easy days. I really think that taking easy days easy is what helps with consistency. I’ve run 14:44 minutes for 5km and I’ve seen guys who have ran 15 to 18 minutes doing their easy runs at 4:30 minutes per kilometre whereas I’m doing easy runs at 5:30 to 6 minutes per kilometre. So someone is definitely doing something wrong and I don’t think that it’s me. It’s not how well you can run fast on easy days, it’s how well you can run fast at workouts. And if you’re really maximising your body on workout days, by default you wouldn’t be able to run really fast on easy days. When you don’t have that polarisation, you aren’t really achieving and it leads to a plateauing of fitness.

In Singapore, hydration and nutrition is obviously very important. I have a good partner, Pocari Sweat, for my hydration needs and I use PURE Sports Nutrition’s protein blends to supplement my nutrition. It at least gives the body the proteins necessary for recovery from hard sessions and doubles-up up as a breakfast smoothie for when you’re rushing to the office in the morning. These are the little things that can help your recovery.

Getting sleep is also important. 8 hours a day is ideal. Some of us are busier than others but if you can shoot for about there and try to make up for it whenever you can, I think that’ll be good.

The UA Flow Velociti Elite is now available online and in Under Armour Brand Houses.

Lighter, Faster, Better

Lighter, Faster, Better

The running world has dramatically changed over the past few years in terms of footwear technology. With the advent of carbon-plated ‘super shoes’, world records have been broken, rewritten and shattered at every competitive season. Around the world, athletes are getting faster and the qualifying standards for major races are becoming more demanding.

It is in this era of ultra competitive racing that Under Armour (UA) has unveiled their latest and greatest creation - the Flow Velociti Elite. Answering athletes’ calls for shoes that are higher stack, more cushioned, and more propulsive, the Velociti Elite has been specially tuned for maximising speed and responsiveness.

Your Fastest Marathon

Designed as a contender to the top shoe competitors in the market, the Velociti Elite is a marathon-specific shoe aimed to optimise running efficiency while also providing sufficient flexibility and cushioning for the long run. The shoe weighs approximately 215g (US8.5) and has a heel-to-toe offset of 10mm. Competitive runners should note that the Velociti Elite’s 36mm stack height does adhere to the World Athletics’ standards for road racing.

For the first time ever, UA has incorporated a full-length carbon fibre plate that is sandwiched between two different types of midsole foams. Closer to your feet on top is a cushioned, springy Pebax layer while underneath it is wedge of UA’s proprietary Supercritical Flow foam. Notably, the Velociti Elite does not have a rubber outsole, opting instead to rely on its nitrogen-infused midsole for durability and traction. This unique all-in-one solution lightens the overall weight of the shoe and also provides better ground feel. The Velociti Elite also utilises a TPE sockliner for enhanced resilience and bounce on every footstrike. When these elements are combined with the semi-rigid carbon fibre plate that compresses and springs back when loaded, the Velociti Elite delivers explosive lift-offs with every stride.

The shoe’s upper features UA’s dynamic WARP 2.0 technology that optimises breathability and lightweight containment. This thin mono-mesh material comprises of stitched vertical and horizontal tape lines to create an exoskeleton over your foot to keep it secure. A lightly padded tongue mitigates lacing pressure when laces are cinched up. Due to the materials used, the WARP 2.0 upper is unlikely to stretch (though it does flex when in movement) and should maintain its structural integrity over time. The toe box is relatively roomy for a racing fit; wider foot runners should be able to run in the shoes comfortably without having to worry about blisters or bruised toenails. The Velociti Elite’s moulded heel cup is relatively thin, but smoothly finished and strategically padded for a secure heel lockdown. Unlike the roomier forefoot, the heel cup fits snug and narrow. Overall, while the Velociti Elite’s last is less aggressive compared to other racing shoe models, its engineering ensures a stable, connected stance that is comfortable at all speeds.

Built For All

The Velociti Elite leverages on technologies that UA has been refining over many years with other shoes in their line. It also capitalises on what the apparel company is best known for: creating a comfortable fit.

Though specifically designed as a marathon racing shoe, the Velociti Elite also performs well across the speed spectrum - high intensity intervals, tempo and threshold runs - thereby marking it as a versatile shoe for faster sessions. Its accommodating fit and speedy, propulsive ride distinguishes the Velociti Elite from other shoes in UA’s Flow lineup.

Today, the Velociti Elite finds itself in the company of high-stacked, carbon-plated racing shoes. Unlike the earlier generations of ‘super shoes’ that demand a level of experience from their users due to their aggressive geometry and stiff carbon plates, runners who don the Velociti Elite would be pleased to find its ride comfortable and familiar. Those who dislike the unstable hyper-bounciness and prescriptive rocker of other ‘super shoes’ would also appreciate the neutral engineering of the Velociti Elite. Alas, this factor works both ways; runners seeking more aggressive propulsion may find the shoes lacking sufficient ‘pop’, especially towards the tail end of the marathon.

The UA Flow Velociti Elite is now available online and in Under Armour Brand Houses.

The First

On 6 May 1954 at the Iffley Road track in Oxford, Roger Bannister donned a pair of track spikes and calmed his anxious mind. Bannister, Britain’s representative for the 1,500 metres event at the 1952 Olympics, was no stranger to track races. But what transpired at the Oxford track that fateful day was no ordinary track meet. 

Bannister was there to make history as the first person ever to run a mile under four minutes. We all know how it went; he achieved his goal with a time of 3 minutes 59.4 seconds.

The Fastest Mile

“My effort was over and I collapsed almost unconscious with an arm on either side of me,” recalled Bannister, “it was only then that the real pain overtook me. I knew I had done it, before I even heard the time.”

To run a successful sub-four mile, each of the four laps must be completed under 60 seconds, keeping a pace of no slower than 2:29 minutes per kilometre.

The Under Armour All Out Mile is one of the shortest virtual races available compared to those organised by other entities. But for what it lacked in distance, the All Out Mile makes up for in terms of intensity and preparatory measures.

A 30-day virtual training program on the MapMyRun app crafted by Under Armour’s elite athletes and coaches. It has all come down to this: four blistering laps around the tartan track.

The Unforgiving Minute(s)

A beep from my watch signalled the start of my All Out Mile. “Run relaxed, smooth and fast.” I visualised Bannister’s sweeping gait and emulated it as best I can.

The first lap was the trickiest. Run too fast and you will burn out too quickly. Too slow and you would be hard-pressed to catch up later in the mile. At that level of intensity, the delicate balance between speed and endurance determined the outcome of your run.

On the second lap, the pace settled. My legs cycled in a whirl of motion while my arms swung in concert. Runners typically term this seemingly effortless rhythm as one’s ‘cruising speed’. At this point, thoughts quieted and my mind reached a state of silence. Apart from the tap tap tap of footfalls, all else fades. My watch chimed and I barely noticed.

Midway into the third lap, the familiar burn of anaerobic metabolites intensified in my legs. The pain exponentially increased within the span of a few seconds and my field of vision narrowed. The heart pounded with such ferocity that I briefly worried about to going into cardiac arrest.

On the final lap, everything hurt. My mind willed my legs to push harder, but the latter failed to respond in kind. All notions of a graceful running form had left my thoughts and I struggled simply to keep one foot in front of the other. I wondered if Bannister agonised as terribly as I did. The last few seconds seemed never-ending. 

The finish line appeared in view. I summoned the last vestige of strength and leaped.

Your Fastest Ever

The All Out Mile demands the best from its challengers. Under Armour had provided considerable resources to support runners in this endeavour. But ultimately, the experience of racing an All Out Mile is intimately yours. Challenges such as this are intimidating, but also incredibly fulfilling. With the MapMyRun app, you have an opportunity to run your fastest mile anytime, anywhere. 

So did I manage to run a sub-four mile as Bannister did? Unfortunately not, I was nearly two full minutes behind. Nevertheless, the All Out Mile was a memorable experience that broke the monotony of daily routines and gave me a challenging goal to strive for. I hope everyone enjoyed the event and ran their hearts out as I did. Here's to another All Out Mile next year!

As part of the All Out Mile challenge, I joined an Under Armour training session hosted by Coached. A shoebox was assigned to me once my attendance was taken. Flipping it open, I discovered a fresh pair of Under Armour’s latest running shoe - the HOVR™ Machina 3.

The shoes featured Under Armour’s latest innovations and technologies. As I slipped it on, the Machina 3’s slightly stretchy, engineered warp spacer upper molded to my feet with a sock-like feel. Despite being wide-footed, my toes did not feel constrained and could splay comfortably. With the absence of any seams and overlays in the upper, I was confident that I could put the shoes through many miles without irritation.

The Machina 3’s heel counter showcased an aerodynamic heel design, cupped with an external TPU heel wrap for support and added lockdown. These attributes ensured that my heel fit snugly in the shoes without undue pressure on the achilles tendon. Step-in comfort was superb with the  Machina 3’s molded EVA sockliner providing added resiliency and cushioning.

Alas, the midsole was where the Machina 3 truly shone. The shoe incorporated Under Armour’s dual-density HOVR™ cushioning system that split the midsole into two parts. A firmer unwrapped HOVR™ forefoot provided responsive cushioning specifically for a propulsive toe-off. At the back, the softer wrapped HOVR™ heel delivered a plush, cushioned landing and smooth transition to the midfoot.

The Machina 3’s outsole contained copious amounts of rubber, easily covering the shoe’s entire base. This channeled rubber outsole was specifically mapped for durability in high-wear areas, and flex zones to promote natural foot movement. There was little doubt in my mind that the shoes could easily handle at least 800 kilometres in mileage.

On top of the Machina 3’s physical attributes, the shoes are also Bluetooth-enabled. Yes, you read that right. By connecting to the Under Armour MAPMYRUN™ app, runners can track and analyse their running metrics with real-time guidance from Form Coaching. In other words, the more one trains the shoe, the better a runner one could potentially become.

Training with the HOVR™ Machina 3

The Machina 3 was unexpectedly propulsive despite its weight. Its HOVR™ dual-density midsole simultaneously damped impact and returned energy with every foot strike. Landings felt akin to jumping on a stiff trampoline; not particularly soft but noticeably responsive. The greater the force applied, the more energy the Machina 3 returned. I was impressed.

Run, recover, repeat. Before long, I completed the workout ahead of everyone else. Thanks to the Machina 3’s breathable upper, my feet felt cool and comfortable throughout despite the hot and humid evening.

With the All Out Mile event coming up, I still have a few precious days of preparation. But with the Machina 3 supporting my training mileage and Under Armour’s virtual training program providing guidance, I’m confident that when the competition window opens, I will be ready.

Registration for the All Out Mile is free. Sign up at uaalloutmile.com and connect your runs via the MapMyRun app.

With virtual participation spanning across 14 countries, the Under Armour All Out Mile provides the motivation, coaching, and training plan to propel runners toward completing their fastest mile. The 2022 edition also marks the All Out Mile’s first appearance in Asia, after its inaugural launch in the United States last year. Those who take on the All Out Mile can seize the opportunity to train under the guidance of an exclusive programme specially crafted by Under Armour athletes and coaches. This schedule will be available on the MapMyRun app from 1 to 31 May.

Fast & Furious In Singapore

One mile. 1,600 meters. The equivalent of four blistering laps around the tartan track. Some Singaporeans may recall the dread of having to run a mile as part of their annual physical fitness test in Primary School. Others may recollect the nerve-wrecking trepidation at the start line just before the commencement of their track race. But whatever your personal best time for a mile was, now is the perfect opportunity to beat yesterday’s record.

The competition window for the All Out Mile starts from 1 June to 5 June, and only runs clocked during this period will be counted as submissions to the challenge. To be eligible for prizes, participants must connect their MapMyRun account to FitRankings during registration. Results will be announced on 10 June, with attractive prizes to be won across two categories!

Prize Categories

Team competition – Most Milers

The team with the most participants to run the All Out Mile will win a USD$10,000 donation to the sports charity of their choice.

Fastest individuals

The top three male and female Milers from the region* will receive the following cash prizes in addition to USD$250 worth of UA gear:

First place: USD$1,000

Second place: USD$500

Third place: USD$200

*Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Indonesia

Everything You Need, And So Much More

Registration and participation will automatically grant runners to a free three-month UA MapMyRun MVP membership, where they can log miles and access exclusive training plans and video tips throughout their journey to compete.

In addition to the extensive virtual coaching expertise and resources committed to the event, Under Armour is going a step further by inviting runners to join physical Run Crew sessions at the Under Armour Funan Brand House. There, runners will not only receive expert training advice in-person, they will also have a chance to trial the latest Under Armour running shoes.

Specially for participants of the All Out Mile, Under Armour has curated a bespoke selection of their latest running shoes, namely, the Flow Velociti Wind 2 and HOVR Machina 3. Speed has never felt more comfortable.

Key Dates

1 - 31 May: Virtual training programme in MapMyRun

1 - 5 June: Under Armour All Out Mile competition window

10 June: Announcement of results on uaalloutmile.com, winners to be notified by email as well

Registration is free. Sign up at uaalloutmile.com and connect your runs via the MapMyRun app.

This year’s Global Running Day (on 3 June) will be different from all the other years because of the COVID-19 situation that we are in. Instead of being able to go out for a run with friends, attend a mass running event or take part in a race, social distancing has meant only being able to get solo runs in. Regardless, we should still be grateful for any opportunity to run, even if it means having to do it by ourselves.

To celebrate Global Running Day 2020, Under Armour Singapore launched
#ThroughThisTogether SG Challenge to clock the most steps as possible before 3 June.

Open only to those residing in Singapore, download the UA MapMyRun app and set up a profile. Under 'Find Friends', search for 'Sebastian Cheong' or ‘Natalie Dau’ and be invited to join the #ThroughThisTogether SG Challenge.

This challenge helps you to stay connected with the community, through virtual running, and also helps with motivation. You can interact with other runners through the app or even make new friends. (More inspiration here.)

To get started, just clock steps in the form of a run, a walk or even with a home workout. It is recommended that you do this with a pair of HOVR Connected shoes. Winners will be finalised and announced by 3 June on Global Running Day! Ensure that your workout activities in MapMyRun are visible, that your stats are accurate and that there are no double records.

As a tribute to Global Running Day, UA released Run Anywhere, a running collection which has the word “RUN” prominently designed on these apparels – tank top, crop top, shorts for ladies; tshirt and shorts for men.

And ladies who are looking to match your new running apparel with a pair of new shoes, there is a limited edition Iridescent collection for some of the most popular women’s footwear. Specifically, the UA Forge 96 HL, UA HOVR Phantom/SE HL, UA Charged Breathe and UA HOVR STRT PRL now come in the Iridescent colourway.

The Run Anywhere collection and the Iridescent Amp Pack are now available at www.underarmour.com.sg.