Participants of the 21km run starting off. (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Marina Bay, September 12, 2010 — Mok Ying Ren was the fastest Singaporean in the Army Half Marathon (21km) this morning when he finished in a time of 1 hour 16 minutes and 17.60 seconds. Mok was also the fastest Singaporean last year, clocking 01:14:27.
Mok expressed some disappointment on his Facebook page.
“(I) spoiled the race in the first 5km. First 5km 15:50. First km about 3min. When will I learn? Anyway I can’t believe I couldn’t sleep last night AT ALL. I am supposed to be quite seasoned to this …,” wrote Mok.
The fastest person on the day was Kenyan Julius Nyamu Ndoriah who clocked 01:05:51.65 while the fastest Singaporean woman was Anne Date who came home in 01:28:07.90. The Indian Army team was the fastest international military team with a combined time of 05:49:19.
Back for the 19th year, the SAFRA Singapore Bay Run & Army Half Marathon (SSBR & AHM) saw 70,000 runners.
The runners ran past the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort along Bayfront Avenue.
Participants were entertained by a host of street-side festivities along the running routes at 16 different locations. Static festivities included stilt-walkers, fire twirlers, belly dancers and invigorating drumming performances, while Mobile Cheer Teams patrolled the running routes alongside runners on vehicles for the first time to add to the carnival atmosphere.
Many also jumped up to hit the Giant High Five Palms suspended from three overhead bridges along the 21km AHM route at Nicoll Highway and Mountbatten Road to inject some fun into the run.
After flagging off the non-competitive 5km Fun Run at 8am, Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, who graced the event as Guest-of-Honour, also joined participants for the scenic run around the Marina Bay. Participants were treated to unbeatable sights of the Marina Bay area as they became one of the first to run along the world’s first curved double helix bridge and the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade.
Jointly organised by SAFRA and the Army, the SSBR & AHM aims to promote fitness and bonding among full-time National Servicemen, NSmen as well as the public. Since the event’s name was changed from Sheares Bridge Run to SAFRA Singapore Bay Run & Army Half Marathon in 2007, the running routes have become closely linked with the development of the Marina Bay area.
In 2007, the then brand new Floating Stadium was the end point for the event. In 2008, the run took participants past the newly opened Marina Bay Golf Course, and they also became the first to run across the Marina Barrage. Last year, participants ran past the F1 paddock area.
Brigadier General (BG) Lim Teck Yin, Vice President of SAFRA and Chairman of the organising committee, said: “The SSBR and AHM is a unique opportunity where our NSFs and NSmen, as well as their families, can come together for a mass run annually. This not only underscores SAFRA and the Army’s emphasis on maintaining a fit and cohesive defence force, but also the importance of families in the lives of our servicemen.”
Results (Top 3)
21KM MEN’S OPEN
1 Julius Nyamu Ndoriah (Kenya) (1584) 01:05:51.65
2 Serda Agus Prayogo (5097) 01:07:16.45
3 Neeraj Pal Singh (5104) 01:08:42.45
21KM WOMEN’S OPEN
1 Eunice Nyawira Muchiri (Kenya) (30222) 01:27:30.70
2 Susan Jemutai Chepkwony (Kenya) (30807) 01:30:49.15
3 Natasha Buckley (British) (30633) 01:33:10.65
Go to next page for more results and photos
Sorry to be pernickety but “(Ireland)” next to the winner of the 21km Women’s Masters should be “(Irish)”, to keep in with the way other foreign winners have been listed?
And for the lady winner after her, she should be Filipina, not Filipino (men). Probably easier to simply list their home country rather than their nationality.
Ah, you are right! I should have double checked. : ) Thanks, Zing.
Is Mok Ying Ren Mok Ying Rong’s brother? Hahah
Actually, yes – they’re brother and sister.