Running for a Cause: Citizen Athlete Joseph Ong’s 1,000KM Challenge Around the Track for Mental Health Awareness
- John Yeong
- Oct 15
- 3 min read
How one man’s month-long ultra run turned endurance into advocacy for mental wellbeing.
In the heart of Singapore’s running community, Joseph Ong stands out not for podium finishes or sponsorships, but for his sheer determination and purpose.
This year, the citizen athlete and ultra runner set himself a seemingly impossible goal — to run 1,000 kilometers within a single month, all to raise awareness for mental health.
“It was an individual challenge that I had planned two years ago,” Joseph shared. “I only started in 2025 because I wasn’t strong back then. It was Ned Brockmann, who ran 1,000 miles around a single 400-meter track, that inspired me to run 1,000 km on the track for a purpose.”
For Joseph, the challenge was never about speed or records — it was about resilience, routine, and running with meaning.
A Journey Built Over Years
Joseph’s story didn’t begin with ultras. Just three years ago, he was training to complete his first half marathon (HM) and full marathon (FM).
“There’s a saying I heard,” he recalls. “‘If you can run a HM, then you can run a FM. If you can run a FM, then you can run a UM (ultra marathon).’ That really encouraged me to chase the long distance.”
His first foray into the ultra world came in August 2023, when he ran 60 km solo to support his friend Brandon Porle’s “Miles for Minds” campaign — another initiative dedicated to mental health. That run planted the seed for something greater.
The Grind Behind the Goal
Called "Operation: 1000", the plan was to run 1,000 km in 30 days meant clocking serious mileage daily. “I focused on finishing multiple sets of 30 minutes of running,” Joseph explained. His weekly schedule reflected a disciplined approach:
Monday to Thursday: 12–18 km
Friday: 16–26 km
Saturday & Sunday: 50–75 km
His running routes became familiar territory — MOE (Evans) Stadium, Serangoon Stadium, and Yio Chu Kang Stadium — each track a silent witness to his commitment.
Of course, a challenge of this scale required more than mental grit; nutrition and hydration were key. “On weekdays, I drank 500–750 ml of BIX electrolytes per day,” he said. “On weekends, I took Koda energy gels, energy bars, and Supernatural electrolytes — one gel every 12–15 km, one energy bar for the last set, and 250 ml of electrolytes for every 30 minutes.”
Running Together, For Each Other
While it was an individual challenge, Joseph was far from alone. “About 20 of my friends showed up!” he smiled. “I’m more of a group run person — it’s always better when we help each other to grow better.”
Their encouragement carried him through fatigue and monotony. By the third week, he said, “I felt stronger than the first two weeks!”
Still, he’s honest about the mental battle that defines ultra running. “I would say it’s 90% mental and 10% physical — it’s really about enduring the mental game more than anything else.”
A Mindful Mission
At its core, Joseph’s 1,000 km journey was about mental health awareness. Running became both a metaphor and a message: endurance, patience, and small steps forward.
His advice to aspiring marathoners or ultrarunners? “Prioritise strengthening your aerobic endurance. Enjoy your first marathon or ultra marathon — just aim to complete the distance!”
As for what’s next, Joseph’s calendar isn’t slowing down. He’s set to participate in the Garmin Run Malaysia (Half Marathon), Bank Rakyat Johor International Marathon (Full Marathon), and Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (Half & Full) later this year.
The Citizen Athlete Spirit
Joseph Ong embodies the essence of a citizen athlete — ordinary people doing extraordinary things for a cause bigger than themselves. His 1,000 km run may have tested his body, but it also showcased the power of purpose, community, and heart.
In his own words, “It’s about helping each other to grow better.”
And perhaps that’s what endurance really means — not just finishing the race, but inspiring others to keep running theirs. #SgSports #RunningCommunity #Operation1000