Record number of family members in SAFRA S’pore Bay Run & Army Half Marathon

While most of us were sound asleep at four in the morning of 28 Aug, the participants of the SAFRA Singapore Bay Run & Army Half Marathon 2016 were already warming up and raring to go.

This year's event, which was held at Marina Bay, attracted more than 42,000 participants and a record number of Singapore Armed Forces national servicemen's family members. About 7,000 family members participated in the race this year -- a 51 percent increase from 2014.

The event was jointly organised by SAFRA and the Army and featured four race categories: the 21km Army Half Marathon, SAFRA 10km Race, SAFRA 5km Fun Run and Families for Life 800m Challenge.

Entertaining performances along the 21km route, such as LED Stilt Walkers and LED Water Drummers, which were new additions, helped motivate and encourage the runners.

Participating in the 21km race were Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) 3rd Sergeant (3SG) Casimir Choo Zheng Kuang from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System Battery, 23rd Battalion, Singapore Artillery (23 SA), and Lance Corporal (LCP) S Vikram, a Gunnery Operator from 24 SA, who ran the event as a team.

3SG Choo said: "It (the race) actually brought the whole Artillery formation together, as the team consisted of NSFs, Operationally-Ready National Servicemen and regulars. When we were training for the 21km prior to the event, we had a lot of opportunities to interact and find out about one another."

LCP Vikram agreed, saying: "We trained about four times a week for two to three months, which gave us a lot of time to bond with one another. At the end of the day, we understand one another better and have forged strong friendships across the different ranks."

For Captain (Dr) (NS) Mok Ying Ren, who is the winner of the 21km Men's Closed Category, his desire to participate in the race comes from its prestige. He said: "The Army Half Marathon is one of the biggest marathons in Singapore, and most runners know about this event."

Added the 28-year-old seasoned runner: "It has always been a well-organised race. For the past two years, I have been overseas and couldn't take part, so I was very excited to be back in Singapore to be part of this year's edition."

Senior Ministers of State for Defence, Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman and Mr Ong Ye Kung, ran in the 10km and 800m, and 5km race events respectively. Also at the event was Guest of Honour, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, who presented the top prizes to winners of the half marathon.