SPLASHING AND DASHING TO FITNESS

It was the perfect morning to sleep in, after a night of rain.

Not so for over 2000 participants of the Singapore Biathlon 2008, who took to the waters off East Coast Park early on 1 Mar.

The event was jointly organised by SAFRA National Service Association and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

Minister of State for Defence and President of SAFRA, Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee, flagged off the Men s Open category at 8.30am.

The biathletes swam 1.5 kilometres, which was followed by a 10-kilometre run.

Seizing the opportunity to promote cohesion within the Republic of Singapore Navy(RSN), the Navy organised the Navy Sprint Challenge in conjunction with the Singapore Biathlon.

Despite the gloomy weather, the Sprint Challenge participants were upbeat and enthusiastic about the event.

The top three Sprint Challenge finishers cyberpioneer interviewed felt that the rain was a plus.

"Usually we are dehydrated by the time we finish the swim. Today, the weather kept us going," said first runner-up Lance Corporal (LCP) Samuel Tan, a Navy lifeguard.

The competitors were not the only ones drenched that day.

Assoc Prof Koo and Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral (RADM) Chew Men Leong presented trophies to the prize-winners in the rain.

RADM Chew also presented cheques totalling over $170,000 to 10 charities. The money was raised by RSN personnel.