Contributed by Veronica Sim

New Upper Changi Road, Sunday, November 2, 2008 – In what must be a first in Singapore, a stair-climbing competition for Singaporeans aged 50 years and above was held this morning at Block 28, New Upper Changi Road.

The Bedok Community Club (CC) Senior Citizens' Executive Committee (SCEC), Bedok Constituency Sports Club and Orchids Residents' Committee came together to organise the East Coast GRC Family Sports Day-cum-Vertical Challenge to encourage their residents to keep physically active.

Participants had to run up 14 storeys, run across a 60m common corridor, then run down 14 storeys.

The oldest participants, Mr Tan Yeow Hoi, 82, and his wife, Mdm Soh Ah Kow, 77 competed in the Vertical Challenge. The couple took up stair-climbing two years ago and have been climbing regularly with fellow residents. They noticed that their health improved and they found themselves more energetic. “[It] is a good way of strengthening the heart and toning up muscles," said Mr Tan.

Their 58-year-old neighbour Ms Jenny Lee Kiau Mow added that giving up lifts and using the stairs instead, was not too difficult a transition. A side benefit is that when she goes on tours now, she finds it easy to endure the long hours of walking and sightseeing.

Mr See Hak Loo, 50, finished first in 2 minutes 41 seconds, while the oldest competitor, 82-year-old Tan Yeow Hoi completed the challenge in 10 minutes 25 seconds.

Ed’s note: For you young ones reading this, don’t laugh. You might not be able to keep up with the uncle and auntie who came in first.