Story by Les Tan. Pictures by Koh Yizhe, Vanessa Lim and Tan Huey Ying.
A half-marathon runner goes by on the Sheares Bridge. (Photo 1 © Van)
Marina Bay, Sunday, August 24, 2008 – The Indian Army outran other army teams yesterday to come out tops at the Army Half-Marathon. 12 foreign army teams flew in specially for this event and the United States, New Zealand, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia and Malaysia were among the nations represented. Indonesia and Thailand came in second and third respectively.
20,000 Singapore army personnel also took part in the run which saw an estimated 70,000 hit the streets from 6:30am onwards. The 21km and 10km categories saw an increase of 44% while the number of women runners increased 105% over last year.
The Army Half-Marathon, popularly known as the Sheares Bridge Run as well before the name was dropped this year, incorporated the Marina Barrage for the first time into the route, although only the estimated 25,000 half-marathon runners got to experience that portion. The 10km runners had to content themselves with the run up the Sheares Bridge as the high point of their race and the rest of the run was a repetitive 4km portion along Republic Ave.
The ITE Jazz Band lit up the mood at the top of the Sheares Bridge just before the Rochor exit. They were one of five school bands providing entertainment for runners along the route.
For those who will never get to see what the finish line looks early in the morning. The downtown skyline provides a picturesque backdrop for the runners. (Photo 2 © Tan Huey Ying)
Two runners enjoying the run under the easy morning light. (Photo 3 © Van)
Start of the 10km race at the Esplanade Bridge. (Photo 4 courtesy of SAFRA)
21km runners hit the East Coast Park at dawn. At least the faster ones did. (Photo 5 © Koh Yizhe)
The bulk of the 21km runners hit the East Coast Park as the sun came up. (Photo 6 © Koh Yizhe)
Runners hit the Marina Barrage towards the end of the race. Only the half-marathon route included the barrage. (Photo 7 courtesy of SAFRA)
Back at the start point, Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean flags off the 10km race and then joins in the run himself. (Photo 8 courtesy of SAFRA)
With enough water points to keep you hydrated, the only challenge was finding an empty cubicle to…you know. (Photo 9 © Koh Yizhe)
Just about 10 meters from the finish line, a guy collapses from cramps, but manages to get up after a while to complete the race. (Photo 10 © Van)
Sharee Andersen finishing third in the 10km in a time of 45min 50.65sec. (Photo 11 © Tan Huey Ying)
Shanavas of the Indian Army, winner of the 21km men's open category. (Photo 12 © Tan Huey Ying)
“The finish line is THAT way!” A runner encourages his mate in the last stretch. (Photo 13 © Tan Huey Ying)
Cheers to a good finish! (Photo 14 © Tan Huey Ying)
A steady tremble of running feet. (Photo 14 © Tan Huey Ying)
Pushing on right to the end.. (Photo 15 © Tan Huey Ying)
Running at full speed as the finishing line comes into sight. (Photo 16 © Tan Huey Ying)
Eager to complete the run. (Photo 17 © Tan Huey Ying)
SAFRA Singapore Bay Run & Army Half Marathon
2008 Results (provided by SAFRA)
Foreign Army
1st-Indian Army
2nd-Indonesia Team 1
3rd-Thailand Team 1
21km Men's Open
Position-Name-Timing
1st-HAV Shanavas PM (Indian)-01:07:34.30
2nd-HAV P Nagendra Rao (Indian)-01:07:56.05
3rd-SERKA Agus Prayogo-01:08:50.45
21km Men's Closed
1st-Lim Kien Mau-01:14:59.60
2nd-Mok Ying Ren-01:17:15.80
3rd-Daniel Ling Siong Kiat-01:20:29.90
21km Men's Veteran
1st-1MSGT Jirattigran Boonma (Thai)-01:17:16.75
2nd-Supermanian Govindan (Singaporean)-01:22:34.80
3rd-Pang Tit Hon-01:25:43.50
21km Women's Open
1st-Janet Jelagat Rono (Singaporean)-01:21:44.80
2nd-Trudy Fawcett (British)-01:24:36.10
3rd-Anne Date (Singaporean)-01: 26:33.15
21km Women's Closed
1st-Chan Siew Kheng Dinah-01:30:16.45
2nd-Elaine Lim Su Lin-01:36:40.65
3rd-Tan Swee Kheng-01:38:20.15
21km Women's Veteran
1st-Tan Geok Lan (Singaporean)-01:38:58.40
2nd-Jet Jon Shepherd MS (Singaporean)-01:40:35.60
3rd-Roda M. Ramos (Filipino)-01:40:36.00
10km Men's Open
1st-Samuel S/O John Moses-00:35:03.00
2nd-M. P. Prashan D. Silva-00:36:36.20
3rd-Sikhander Singh-00:36:46.90
10km Men's Veteran
1st-James Copinger-Symes-00:37:35.50
2nd-Yeung Chi Ming Thomas-00:42:02.35
3rd-Erik Forkink-00:42:44.60
10km Women's Open
1st-Cheong Tsui Ying-00:42:39.65
2nd-Phua Hui Qing-00:44:26.90
3rd-Sharee Andersen-00:45:50.65
10km Women's Veteran
1st-Mandy Neil-00:46:58.00
2nd-Wee Siew Kim-00:48:40.85
3rd-Jasmine Shew Sew Hong-00:48:56.50
Related story:
It’s called the Army Half-Marathon…, no, the Sheares Bridge Run…, no, the Singapore Bay Run…, whatever, lah.
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Thank you for your correction, Pious. Much appreciated.
regards
les
sir
i have a correction,- the photo number 12 showing the picture, his name is shanavas he belongs to indian army, and 21km men’s open winning champion.also he is my collegue.
Congardulation my friend,
thanks
pious ponnore johny
Thanks, u.les.
I will put some more pics up. Was in school this morn, so couldnt do much XD.
Van
Van,
the silhouette shot is awesome.
props to you, girl!
u.les