SAFRA Singapore Bay Run and Army Half Marathon 2014

Father-and-son pair Ang Ah Kiang (left) and Kwan Yang will run the AHM for the fifth consecutive time together this Sunday. (Photo courtesy of Ang Kwan Yang)

Thursday, August 28, 2014 — The SAFRA slogan, “Building Bonds, Creating Memories”, is particularly apt for 33-year-old Ang Kwan Yang, who will be participating in this year’s SAFRA Singapore Bay Run and Army Half Marathon (SSBR & AHM) for the fifth time.

Kwan Yang cherishes the time spent with his friends and family, especially the most important man in his life – his father.

Each year without fail, Kwan Yang will run the half marathon with his father, Ang Ah Kiang, who is a retired army officer.

The senior Ang is a running enthusiast and speaks with animated passion and pride about the sport. Though he brought Kwan Yang running when the latter was still a boy, he never seemed to like the sport.

Then, in 2001, while undergoing national service, Kwan Yang went through surgery for a broken left wrist. Granted medical leave for half a year, Kwan Yang gained weight from a lack of physical training, topping out at 92kg.

Seeing that his father was fit and active even in his sixties, Kwan Yang became motivated to change his sedentary lifestyle. He targeted joining his father for the AHM in 2010. Since then, it has become an annual ritual for the pair.

The AHM is an event that is close to their hearts, as it was the first half marathon that father and son had trained for together. Furthermore, the SSBR & AHM is also a good opportunity for them to catch up with friends.

Kwan Yang now trains twice a week with a group of running buddies from the New Balance running group, and heads outdoors with his father on weekends for trail runs at MacRitchie Reservoir.

Kwan Yang said, “I’ve learned to appreciate the time spent with my dad. He has always urged me to challenge my limits and never settle for comfort. Through running, we’ve grown closer. The Army Half Marathon has created fond memories for us. My dad and I will definitely join the run together for as long as we are able to.”