Middle Distance Runner Aldrich Goh Triumphs at his Debut Trail Race in the 30KM Buff Forest Force Run

Despite two falls, Aldrich Goh raced on and emerged as a winner at his first ever 30KM trail race in a stacked field of competitors

PHOTO VIA ALDRICH GOH

Chances are you’ve seen him at middle distance track and road races and even at duathlons. But now, 1500m specialist, Aldrich Goh has made his mark on trail running.

The Team SportPlus athlete announced his arrival on the trail running scene in style, winning his debut 30km trail race at the Buff Forest Force Run on the morning of 21st September.

“I just wanted to finish the race without stopping, and to give myself the confidence that I can, in fact, do a trail race and complete it,” shared Aldrich with SportPlus.sg.

“It was a whole new ball game. If you think track or road racing is fun, try trail! The community is extremely supportive, I found myself joining in the cheers along the way and cheered on every runner I ran by be it with a thumbs up or words of encouragement.”

In an Instagram post, he described coming away with the win as ‘a huge bonus,’ especially since he was up against many strong, seasoned trail runners—who, despite the competition, cheered him and others on all the way to the finish line.

Aldrich was drawn into trail running a few years ago, when he first chanced upon a video on the UTMB Mont Blanc. Ever since then, as he puts it, he became obsessed.

“I got really interested in trail running after that video and wanted to make my debut. It really means a lot to me that I completed one on Sunday,” gushed the humble university student. 

PHOTO VIA ALDRICH GOH

As a runner who specialises in the 1500m events and middle to shorter distances, this was far from familiar territory. One thing, however, remained the same: his instinct to push, push, and push again. Even after two falls—one sliding down a hill and the other into a waist-deep mud pit—he refused to stop.

In the midst of a training block for his year-end races, Aldrich credits his teammates and coaches at his club, Oldham Athletics for guiding him through preparations for his first-ever trail race.

“I've been training with my club for the 1500m race, so I would say my coach and teammates really helped build my fitness level to what it is now. Honestly, I didn’t train much for the Buff Forest Run as I am currently training for the 1500m—so I’ve been doing lots of speed work. I’ve been clocking more mileage than usual too so that has helped,” shared Aldrich.

“The key things for me during the race was to maintain my heart rate at zone 3 as much as possible, hydrate whenever I needed to at the water stations and take my gummies whenever I felt the need to.”

After tasting success in his first trail race, Aldrich vowed to take his newfound passion to greater heights, setting his sights on competing in trail races abroad.

“I really want to do the trails overseas, they are so much more technical and the views are gorgeous,” shared the runner.

Having achieved his dream of making a trail debut, Aldrich now shifts his focus back to his forte.

“My next goal for 2025? Definitely to break my personal best in the 1500m.”

#BuffForestRun #TrailRunning