Biathletes hit the waters off East Coast for Singapore Biathlon 2008

Story by Leslie Tan. Pictures by Ng Cheng Cong, Low Tze Sen and Lai Jun Wei.

Biathletes start their race at the 2008 Singapore Biathlon. (Photo © Ng Cheng Cong)

East Coast Park, Saturday, March 1, 2008 – 1,941 biathletes participated in the 2008 Singapore Biathlon on a drizzly and overcast Saturday at East Coast Park last weekend. The Singapore Biathlon, into its eight edition, saw a record 2,152 register, a 12% increase over 2007 (1,924) and a 25% increase over 2006 (1,721).

The second fastest out of the 1.5-kilometre swim course was 16-year-old Christel Fung, a Secondary 4 student of Methodist Girls’ School. Her swim time of 21.45 minutes was even faster than that of Daniel Plews (22.47 minutes), the winner of the Men’s Open category. The fastest swim time was recorded by Men’s Open biathlete Lim Zhi Cong who clocked 21.11 minutes.

“The currents were quite strong, I could feel it,” said Christel after she finished fourth overall in the Women’s Open category. “It was like playing ‘catching’,” referring to the run stage. “You don’t know who is behind you. At the last part I was sprinting with Sumiko Tan and just managed to cross the line first.” Christel, who admitted she doesn’t train for the run leg which she completed in a time of 52.54 minutes for an overall time of 1 hour, 14.38 minutes, is planning to take part in this year’s Inter-School Biathlon and the Singapore International Triathlon.

With the Republic of Singapore Navy providing the on-ground logistical support from start to finish, the Singapore Biathlon ranks among the best-organised endurance race in Singapore. The long lines of participants picking up number tags, timing chips and getting body markings were handled efficiently. What makes the Singapore Biathlon stand out is the fact the Singapore Navy tracks individuals moving into the swim start area and coming out of the water to account for everyone.

Taking part for the first time was Venisha Nair who marked a personal milestone by competing in the Singapore Biathlon. “This year marks the fifth year that I am free of cancer,” said Venisha who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when she was 17 years old. “I’ve been training since December. I was more scared of the run. Swimming is fun.”

Registrations for the 2008 Singapore Biathlon closed early because places filled up quickly. 593 biathletes were taking part for the first time in a race that now sees more civilians than military personnel. A total of 256 foreigners also signed up.

The Chief of Defence Force, 44-year-old Major-General Desmond Kuek, finished the race in a time of 1:36.01 (S-40.28/R-55.34). The Chief of Army, Brigadier-General Neo Kian Hong (S-47.59/1:00.17/T:1:48.15) and the Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Chew Men Leong (S-45.38/R:1:02.30/T:1:48.07) also took part.

With the increased numbers, five waves were flagged off to accommodate the over 1,900 biathletes. With the current running in an easterly direction and a single wave having at least 300 starters, the first swim stretch to the first buoy was a fight for space and air with breaststrokers giving freestylers unexpected kicks and punches. With visibility in the murky water at only 1.5 metres, it was impossible to see an incoming leg or hand.

The youngest biathlete on the day was 15-year-old Arthur Ng, who came home in a time of 1:18.27 (S-29.31/R-48.57) while 2007 SEA Games Triathlon gold-medallist Mok Ying Ren was 2nd in the Men’s Open category with a time of 1:00.39 (S-23.18/R-37.21).

In the SAF Invitational category, two combined teams featuring Commando and Naval Diving personnel swept the top two positions (CDO/NDU 1st-1:12.18, CDO/NDU 2nd-1:16.51) while RSN Team 1 were third (1:19.29). The Commandos were the champions for 2006 and 2007.

Picture highlights below. More Singapore Biathlon pictures may be found in the Red Sports Picture Gallery.

Biathletes wait for their start. (Photo © Ng Cheng Cong)

Baracuda Batucada, a percussion band from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, were on hand to drive up the beat at the wave starts. (Photo © Ng Cheng Cong)

Christel Fung of MGS at the end of her 1.5-km swim. She was the second fastest swimmer among all participants on the day with a time of 21.45 minutes. (Photo © Lai Jun Wei)

Christel was overtaken by three competitors on the run to finish fourth. Her run time of 52.54 minutes gave her an overall time of 1:14.38. (Photo © Ng Cheng Cong)

Dinah Chan finished second in the Women’s Open category with a time of 1:09.10 (S-27.10/R-42.00). (Photo © Ng Cheng Cong)

Singapore national triathlete Elaine Chan was third in a time of 1:13.13 (S-27.46/R-45.27). (Photo © Ng Cheng Cong)

David Lim of Singapore finished 12th in the Men’s Veteran category with a time of 1:16.20 (S-29.57/R-46.24). (Photo © Ng Cheng Cong)

Lim Zhi Cong finished 8th in the Men’s Open with a time of 1:04.25 (S-21.11/R-43.14). His swim time was the fastest on the day. (Photo © Ng Cheng Cong)

Sikhander Singh of Singapore finished 4th in the Men’s Open category in a time of 1:02.22 (S-25.12/R-37.11). (Photo © Ng Cheng Cong)

Venisha Nair marked a personal milestone when she completed the Singapore Biathlon to celebrate her fifth year of cancer remission. She finished in 1:57.24 (S-45.23/R-1:12.59). (Photo © Ng Cheng Cong)

Clement Chow emerges from the swim course in a time of 22.51 minutes. A 37.11 run gave him a total time of 1:02.48 and a 5th place finish in the Men’s Open category. (Photo © Lai Jun Wei)

A participant gets a ride back after pulling out of the swim. The Singapore Navy’s safety set-up included motorised boats and navy divers on standby in case of emergencies. (Photo © Lai Jun Wei)

Victor Chan, a Men’s Veteran, with a physique that would put a younger man to shame. He finished in 34th place in a time of 1:25.00 (S-3.:07/R-46.35). (Photo © Lai Jun Wei)