By Grace Sim/Red Sports
Wendy Tan (extreme right), 34, taking part with her daughter Lorraine Lee, 7, and her mother-in-law, 62. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
The Padang, Sunday, May 19, 2013 – The atmosphere at the Padang was brightened up by some 5,000 kids with another 15,000 parents, grandparents and supporters at the 6th edition of the Cold Storage Kids Run.
Apart from the usual competitive and non-competitive running categories, a new category – the 3GEN Family Chase – was introduced this year. This event enabled eager grandparents to ditch the sidelines and run the 800-metre course together with the grandchildren and their parents.
Ms Wendy Tan, 34, took part in the 3GEN Family Chase with her mother-in-law, 62, and daughter, Lorraine Lee, 7. Wendy said: “We signed up for the 3GEN because we were not sure if Lorraine is ready for competitive events. We (Lorraine’s grandmother and I) always played a supporting role and this event is a good time to be involved.”
“It’s good to be doing exercise with this kind of atmosphere. Lorraine made many friends with the other children. It’s good to see that the kids are rewarded at the end of the run and got to take a medal home,” added Wendy.
Having being one of the first families to cross the finishing line, Wendy quipped: “Lorraine was actually very thirsty and tired, but there was a lot of encouragement from us. She doesn’t dare to give up with her grandmother running beside her.”
Lorraine’s perseverance evidently bore fruit as she piped gleefully: “I came in before my grandmother and mother. Every time when I’m riding the car to school, I see Grandma exercising on the way. I’m very happy that she gets to join us this time.”
In the case of the Toh family who also took part in the 3GEN Family Chase, the oldest member proved to be the fittest of all. Mr Toh Hong Yam, 38, and his son, Cayden, 8, were playing catch up to his 65-year-old father. The athletic grandfather served as a source of inspiration as the youngest dashed all the way down the final 100m stretch to meet him.
Trotting by his son through the course, Toh said: “There’s this sense of achievement. My dad was the first to cross the line and waited at the end point while I ran with my son. It’s shiok to participate in this kind of event.”
“It’s (3GEN Chase) good for family bonding as it involves the whole family together. My mum and wife were helping us to take photos. [To prepare for this], our whole family goes for a leisure jog during the weekend,” added Toh.
For a pair of young twin sisters, their grandfather was the key motivators in helping to uncover their potential. Twin sisters, Tanisha and Tanmayi Patil, practiced running every weekend with their grandfather, Suresh Patil. The practices evidently paid off as Tanisha won the Boogey Blue Dash Girls’ competitive event for 7 and 8 year olds, with her sister finishing in second place.
The young competitor was not guilty about leaving her sister in her trail. She exclaimed: “I ran faster when I saw the finish line and I didn’t look back. [I told myself], if I want to win I need to run faster.”
Winning the race meant a lot to Tanisha who participated in the same event last year and came in 7th place. The twins’ mother, Aparna Patil, said: “Their grandfather always brought them out to make sure they get enough exercise. They have been practising for a month every weekend leading up to the competition. We are extremely proud of them.”
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