Pictures by Lai Jun Wei and REDintern Vanessa Lim.
The Padang, Sunday, December 7, 2008 – The Singapore Marathon last Sunday saw the roads of downtown Singapore closed to traffic as tens of thousands of runners ruled. Runners took part in the 42km, 21km and 10km races and while some were racing to win serious money, most were running for health, for the environment and others to get married. Here’s the biggest picture story of the Singapore Marathon you’ll find anywhere online.
Enjoy.
Excited runners begin the full marathon. The venue was already bustling with activity as early as 4am with runners streaming in to prepare for the flag off. (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Cheese! High spirits marked the start of the run. (Photo 2 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Steve Lee (#12961) runs with a companion. He finished in 5hr 08min. (Photo 3 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
A runner pulls along a tyre… (Photo 4 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
… to show her support for the environment. (Photo 5 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Yang Hsin-Fu (#30050, right) acts as the eyes for Hsieh Tsung-Chieh (#30051) as they attempt the half marathon. The pair from Taiwan finished in 2hr 11min. (Photo 6 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
The runners start off the half-marathon… (Photo 7 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
… and head towards the ERP gantry. No charge. (Photo 8 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
The sun peeks over the Singapore skyline moments after the flag off for the half-marathon. (Photo 9 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Cheng He (#00326) from China has to be helped by the medical team after completing the race. He finished in 18th place with a time of 2hr 29min 54sec. (Photo 10 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
The human wave that came through the finish line. (Photo 11 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Mohammed Rahim (#30009) bends over exhausted at the finish line. He finished the half-marathon in 8th position with a time of 1hr 22min 19sec. (Photo 12 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Singapore Sprint Series winner Sebastian Calle (#41116) finished the 21km in 11th position with a time of 1hr 24min 10sec. (Photo 11 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Swaminathan Ekambaram (#50329) ran 10km to spread a message to everyone. The full text read: Donate Eyes. See the World. (Photo 14 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
An attempt to mimic famous blind runner Henry Wanyoike and companion Joseph Kibunja. Note: The runner on the left is not blind. (Photo 15 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Supporters from adidas handed out balloons and mats to people around. (Photo 16 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Physical education teacher Lee Mei Kay (#15000) was the 10th fastest Singapore female marathoner. She finished in 3hr 44min 33 sec, slightly half a minute faster than Emiko Uchida (#19491) from Japan. (Photo 17 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Showing that age is no barrier, Jacqueline Yeenoi Long (#12556) from Canada completes her 42.195km in 5hr 56min 51sec. (Photo 18 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Of course there was also happiness for the non-runners at the finish line. Ow Wai Leong (#24830) proposed to girlfriend Angie Ng after completing his marathon in 6hr 20min and 5sec. He ran down the final stretch with a bunch of heart shaped balloons, whipped out a ring before going down on his knees to ask for Ms Angie’s hand in marriage. Made me want to say ‘I love you’ to a very special someone the moment I saw that. 🙂 (Photo 19 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Jack Lai (#50104) finishes first in the 10km wheelchair category. (Photo 20 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Edmond Lie (#41767) wipes off the perspiration from his face as he finishes his 21km run in 2hr 45min 39sec. (Photo 21 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Rafflesian Soh Ruiyong finished his 10km run in 34min 45sec. He was second fastest in the category, losing to Nepalese Nabin Kumar Rai by just 12 seconds. (Photo 22 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Isidro P. Vildosola (#24310) from the Philippines finishes the 21km in 2hr 49min 12sec. (Photo 23 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
A runner cramps up in the final stretch. (Photo 24 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Singapore based runner Suzy Walsham (#42591) finishes first in the Women’s half marathon. She was looking significantly better compared to the Women’s 10K run where she collapsed at the finish after coming in second. (Photo 25 © Van/Red Sports)
Traffic jam at the finish for 21km and 10km runners. (Photo 26 © Van/Red Sports)
Kristian Palm (#41428) was still in the mood to take a picture of the finishing line as he ran down the final stretch. (Photo 27 © Van/Red Sports)
One more successful runner. (Photo 28 © Van/Red Sports)
The event is also known as the "Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon".
Related stories:
Vivian Tang is Singapore's fastest female marathoner and sets new PB to boot
Luke Kibet wins US$35,000 at Singapore Marathon (plus US$15,000 for showing up)
With 50,000 signing up for the Singapore Marathon, you might not actually be running
Singapore Marathon gets double the money. Do we get double the space?
Daniel Ling – the marathon king
Reflections on the Singapore Marathon
"My name is Vivian – with an ´a'."
For all running-related stories go to: Running
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Enjoyed the atmosphere but this year’s route was a little more challenging because of the Shears Bridge portion. Overall it was very nice.