C Div 3,000m: Ierhan of Sports School beats Hua Xin of HCI by 1.77s to win gold

Ierhan Muhd Raushan (#70, right) of Sports School battles it out with Hu Hua Xin (#422, left) of HCI. Ierhan eventually wins in 10:17.69, just 1.77s faster than Hua Xin. (Photo © Les Tan/Red Sports)

Choa Chu Kang Stadium, Monday, April 8, 2013 — Ierhan Muhd Raushan of Singapore Sports School held off the challenge of Hu Hua Xin of Hwa Chong Institution to win the C Division 3,000 metres final at the 54th National Schools Track and Field Championships.

Ierhan clocked 10 minutes 17.69 seconds while Hua Xin followed 1.77s behind in 10:18.46. Isaac Tan of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) was third in 10:22.42.

The C Division 3,000m record is 9:41.35 and was set in 1999 by Muthukumar of St. Patrick’s School.

“I was surprised because during the heats, I didn’t do so well. I was having flu so I didn’t expect to win,” said 14-year-old Ierhan, who singled out Hua Xin as a serious challenger in the race.

“Ierhan was great. He was faster than me,” said a gracious Hua Xin.

Hua Xin took the lead from Ierhan with 200 metres to go but Ierhan kept pace and and stole back the lead with 50m to go on the inside straight while Hua Xin was looking over his other shoulder. By the time Hua Xin saw Ierhan, it was too late to react.

Louis Shia, who won the National Schools C Division Cross Country title and was seen as a potential medal winner, suffered a stitch midway through the race and faded away to eight place.

“During the cross country, I didn’t do so well. I got eighth. The result (today) is quite unexpected to me. I expected to come in fifth, around there. I felt it was a good fight,” said Hua Xin.

Hua Xin had a straightforward tactical race plan.

“Follow Louis and follow Ierhan,” said Hua Xin.

For Hua Xin, the competition aside, the highlight of the race was the friendship expressed between runners.

“At the start line and at the end, everyone shaking hands, a show of friendship. I feel that despite competition being important, the friendship between the runners is also very important,” said Hua Xin.

C Division Boys 3,000m Results
1st Ierhan Muhd Raushan (#70, Sports School) – 10:17.69
2nd Hu Hua Xin (#422, Hwa Chong) – 10:18.46
3rd Isaac Tan Wei Long (#103, ACS(I)) – 10:22.42
4th Gideon Phong Wei Sheng (#99, ACS(I)) – 10:36.43
5th Aaron Chan Siang Joo (#195, Raffles) – 10:40.92
6th Brandon Quek (#398, Commonwealth) – 10:43.81
7th Aaron Shane Tan Wen (#62, Sports School) – 10:47.98
8th Louis Shia Wei Jie (#47, North Vista) – 10:55.68
9th Marcus Ong (#468, Nan Hua High) — 10:56.00
10th Daniel Yap (#97, ACS(I)) – 10:58.16
11th Cheong Wei Soon (#198, Raffles) – 11:01.38
12th Liao Ze Li, Jacques (#213, Raffles) – 11:01.56
13th Jared Ng Yujie (#378, Victoria School) — 11:03.61
14th Muhammad Zatri B Abdul Karim (#401, Commonwealth) – 11:19.36
15th Diniy Alfian B Mohammed Shakir (#399, Commonwealth) – 11:32.63
Ayden Mohan (#246, SJI) – DSQ