Singapore, Sunday, March 28, 2010 – Yong Yuen Cheng, 38, was the fastest finisher in the Run Round Singapore ultra-marathon. Yong, a teacher, finished in a time of 31 hours, 28 minutes and 51 seconds.

Five out of nine runners finished the gruelling 218km route that took them all over Singapore.

Each runner had a support car and pacers who took turns to keep them company on the long run. The pacers also did extra duty, running to and from the support vehicle to supply the runners with food and drink. The support crew for each runner was invaluable and Yong Yuen Cheng was quick to pay tribute to his.

“I always believe if I am trained to run 50% without support, my support crew will push me through the other half,” Yuen Cheng told Red Sports.

Delle Chan, a National University of Singapore undergraduate, trained under Yong in canoeing at National Junior College. She was not surprise that her ex-coach managed the feat.

“As a coach, Mr. Yong holds firm to his beliefs. He strongly believes in a committed and disciplined training ethic. Under him, we trained up to twelve times a week. His philosophy is essentially that of ‘Mind Over Matter’. H e constantly emphasises the importance of ‘heart and soul’. I believe that his amazing feats are testament to the tenacity and transcendence of the human spirit,” said Delle.

The run was organised by the Nanyang Technological University to celebrate its 55th anniversary and it raised $218,000 for the school’s bursary fund. It is Singapore’s longest run.

Final Results
1st Yong Yuen Cheng – 31:28:51
2nd Chua Kok Chiow – 32:32:05
3rd Melvin Lee Hua Qun – 33:10:35
4th Stephen Lim Nghee Huat – 34:35:39
5th Teng Teck Hou – 34:36:32