Contributed by Merliza Lim

Raffles Place, Wednesday, July 21, 2010 – On Racial Harmony Day, 16 women of different ethnic backgrounds came together to do their part for charity during the Great Eastern Women 10K 2010 roadshow launch at Raffles Place.

The women gathered and formed teams of 4 as each team raced to complete a total distance of 4km in the fastest time on treadmills to earn a donation of $5,000 for the “Women Against Cancer” initiative. The Great Eastern Women 10K, which will be held once again at Marina Bay on Sunday, October 31st, has adopted the Breast Cancer Foundation (BCF) as a beneficiary.

The donation was provided by Great Eastern, the event’s title sponsor. Working in teams of different races on this unique day, the ladies put on a vibrant display of solidarity and support for a good cause by wearing striking red shirts that bore the words “Race for Women, by Women” during the treadmill challenge.

The teams were made up of a mixture of past participants, two endurance athletes — Chong Hai-Yen, who has taken part in sports events such as the Sahara Desert Race (250km) in 2005 and the Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race in 2007, and Liew Wei Yong who ran in the Gobi Desert and has signed up for the Sahara Desert Race in October — as well as breast cancer survivors. The members worked together to complete 1km each in the shortest time.

Team 3, a team comprising of Sahara Desert conqueror Chong Hai-Yen, two past participants and BCF member Quek Li Kiang, 53, completed the challenge first to earn a donation of $5000 from Great Eastern for the “Women Against Cancer” initiative.

Chong Hai-Yen commented, “I feel that this is a great collective effort to support a cause that is very close to us, especially for women. I feel very honoured being part of the winning team but everyone here today did their part for charity.”

She added, “This is a progressive effort and it is very good of Great Eastern to use sports as a platform to create awareness on breast cancer. I hope that more women will support this cause.”

Among the women taking to the treadmills for a good cause today was 70 year-old retired doctor Piloo Chacha, who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 50. “I felt like a tortoise on the treadmill today, but the cheers from the other women kept me going,” she said with a laugh.

“I think the exercise today was a success in promoting awareness for a very meaningful cause and we want to show women out there that being diagnosed with cancer does not mean you face a death sentence. Life can still go on!” she added.

Women from all walks of life were also invited to participate in “The Great Woman Pledge”, a revival of last year’s giant message board filled with declarations of pride from members of the public on why “It’s Great to be a Woman!”

The pledge board will be available at the two-day roadshow launch at Raffles Place as well as various locations in Singapore in the coming months to collect pledges from women. With the collected pledges, Great Eastern will donate an additional amount to BCF for its awareness programmes and support services for those affected by breast cancer.

“We are happy to support the BCF once again, and applaud the teams for their spirited participation on this meaningful day. It’s great that we were able to highlight how women with diverse cultural backgrounds and ethnicities can unite and show their support for Women Against Cancer,” said Mr. Tan Hak Leh, CEO, Singapore, Great Eastern.

“The Great Eastern Women 10K is now into its fifth year. As the title sponsor, we’re pleased that the event has grown beyond just a run to promote healthy living and bonding among women. It is also a great avenue for strong and independent women to demonstrate their solidarity for a meaningful cause,” he added.
Participants can show their support for BCF by having a portion of their fees donated to the charity.

Promotion codes that entitle participants to a discount can be found in the eDMs and press ads, and runners can choose to donate the discount to BCF. Event organisers Enterprise Sports Group (ESG) Endurance Sport are giving more participants the opportunity to do their part for a good cause with this initiative, which was introduced last year. The Great Eastern Women 10K 2010, which will be held on Sunday, 31 October at Marina Bay, aims to attract 17,000 participants and cement its status as the biggest professionally-run women’s sporting event in Asia.

This year also sees the race improving family ties as ESG introduces a new category — Mothers and Daughters — which invites mothers and daughters to team up and take part in a 5km fun run.

Explaining this new addition, Country Manager, ESG Sports Singapore Ms Michelle Wong said: “Over the years we have seen a growing trend of mothers and daughters taking part in the event, and we want to provide an element of fun for them and an opportunity to bond as they run.”

Registration for the Great Eastern Women 10K 2010 begins today and will end on September 13, 2010. Registration fees start at $46 for the 10km run and $35 for the 5km Fun Run and $70 for Mother and Daughter Pair.

Participants this year may also vote for their favourite Great Eastern Women 10K 2010 medal design from a variety of medals on display at the roadshow launch. The design with the most votes will be selected for the finisher’s medal on 31 October.

For more information, please log on to the event website.