RUNNERS MARK NS50 AT S'PORE BAY RUN & ARMY HALF MARATHON

In commemoration of 50 years of National Service (NS50), the 41,000 participants also joined in a salute to all national servicemen (NSmen) at the event held on 20 Aug.

The special tribute was held before the flag-off of each race category. The categories include: the 21km Army Half Marathon, SAFRA 10km Race, SAFRA 5km Fun Run and Families for Life 800m Challenge.

This year also saw the introduction of a new NS50 Team Run category. It aimed to reunite all past and present Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) by encouraging them to form teams of 10.

Each team completed the 5km run together, clocking a total distance of 50km to mark NS50.

Taking part in the NS50 Team Run were the NSmen of Foxtrot Company, 1st Transport Battalion (1 TPT BN).

For team leader 3rd Sergeant (3SG) (NS) Micky Ng, the race was a good chance to show that the nation's NSmen still keep up with their fitness.

"(To celebrate) NS50 was very nice; we felt a sense of belonging, ownership and appreciation," added the 35-year-old teacher.

The team shared a Whatsapp group chat where they would update each other on their personal training timings. Said former lieutenant Sunil Singh, 35: "A few days back, I started running at midnight because I was so spurred on by all the other guys who were also busy training."

Similarly, his teammate CPL (NS) Mohamad Raffie, 34, felt "honoured to run with (his) reservist mates".

"The SSBR & AHM is a good reason for us to train and bond with each other," he said.

Also running in the new NS50 Team Run category was a special contingent of 25 pairs comprising students from the National Cadet Corps and their fathers who are national servicemen, in line with the NS50 theme of From My Generation To Yours.

The running routes featured displays of significant NS moments such as the enlistment day haircut as well as the rifle presentation ceremony to recruits.

For national athlete Neo Jieshi, 32, who was the fastest Singaporean in the 21km Women's Open category, running in the AHM is a good social activity.

"My husband represents his division (in the AHM) and he nominated me to run for this event," said Ms Neo, a full-time HR & Admin Manager. "I also enjoy hanging around with my SAFRA and Active SG Club friends who run as well. We trained together for this race."

Training-wise, the half marathon was also a good lead-up to other full marathons at the end of the year, added Ms Neo.

Second Minister for Defence Ong Ye Kung and Senior Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman also participated in this year's AHM & SSBR, completing the 21km and 5km events respectively.