Was the Women 10K really 10km?

Women 10k

Suzy Walsham grimaces in pain at the end of the race and had to be helped to the medical tent. She expressed disappointment that she didn’t break 34 minutes in the race. (Photo © Les Tan/Red Sports)

At least three of the elite women runners at the Women 10K race were off their personal best (PB) times by enough of a margin to leave them scratching their heads. The race was held at the Padang on Sunday, October 26 and saw a finish line drama when the winner was sent to hospital for dehydration.

Anitha Kiptum, the Kenyan runner who won the race, finished in 34 minutes 55 seconds, a significant 2 minutes 43 seconds outside her PB time of 32min 12sec. Her time was also slower than last year's winning time of 33min 46.30sec set by fellow Kenyan Leah Malot.

Suzy Walsham, who finished second on Sunday, clocked 35min 15sec, 1min 4sec slower than her PB of 34min 11sec while Vivian Tang, who finished sixth in, 39min 57sec, was 1min 26sec slower than her PB of 38min 31sec.

Trudy Fawcett, finished fourth in 39min 22sec, 59 seconds outside her PB of 38min 23sec. Anne Date, in fifth with a time of 39min 44sec, was 44 seconds outside her PB of 39min.

Suzy Walsham said she noticed Anitha Kipthum didn’t even stop to take water in the race which leaves a bigger question mark over the distance.

“Seriously, I think the course is longer. Most people I spoke too said they were disappointed with their times. Other than the course, the race is well organised.”

For most of the mid- or back-pack runners who are just happy to finish the course, it matters little to them that the 10km route may be longer or shorter. For the elite runners, it’s quite a different matter, because they measure improvements by the second and train enough to be sensitive to changes in purported distances.

The Singapore Athletic Association was responsible for measuring the route and according to the official website, is as follows:

Start from Esplanade Dr (East bound), Nicoll Highway (East bound), Stadium Rd (Left carriage way), Nicoll Highway (City bound), Republic Ave (Left carriage way), U-turn at Crawford St junction, Republic Ave (Right carriage way), Marina Promenade Park, F1 route (around Pit Stop), Republic Boulevard (Left carriage way), Raffles Ave, Esplanade Waterfront (through Esplanade coach carpark), Under Esplanade Bridge, Esplanade Park, Connaught Drive, St Andrew's Road (End Pt)

Women 10k

Vivian Tang running full on down the final stretch. She was puzzled by her slower than expected 39min 57sec timing. (Photo ©Ã‚Â Les Tan/Red Sports)

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