TAKING IN THE SIGHTS AT S'PORE BAY RUN

Waking up in the wee hours of a lazy Sunday morning to exercise may seem like an absolutely dreadful idea, but this year's SAFRA Singapore Bay Run (SSRB) and Army Half Marathon (AHM) gave about 70,000 early risers something to look forward to, literally.

Held on 12 Sep at downtown Marina Bay, Singapore's largest mass running event had running routes designed to showcase the developments of the Marina Bay area, providing participants with scenic views as they pounded the pavement.

For the first time, participants of the 21km AHM and 10km race ran past the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort (IR) along Bayfront Avenue. Those who took part in the non-competitive 5km Fun Run enjoyed a visual treat of the Marina Bay landscape as they ran along the iconic Helix Bridge and Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade.

Among the participants, about half were full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) from the Singapore Armed Forces, while the rest were Operationally-ready National Servicemen (NSmen), their families and members of the public.

Chairman of the organising committee for the event, Brigadier-General (BG) Lim Teck Yin, who is also Vice-President of SAFRA, said: "The SSBR and AHM is a unique opportunity where our NSFs and NSmen, as well as their families, can come together for a mass run annually.

"This not only underscores SAFRA and the Army's emphasis on maintaining a fit and cohesive defence force, but also the importance of families in the lives of our servicemen."

Guest-of-Honour Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean, who flagged off the 5km Fun Run, also joined the participants in the scenic run.

Besides Mr Teo, Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Chan Chun Sing, and Minister of State for Defence and SAFRA President Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee were also present to flag off the 21km AHM and Men's 10km races respectively.

To keep the runners' spirits up during the run, mobile cheer teams on skates and in vehicles were introduced this year. Street-side activities such as performances by stilt walkers, belly dancers and musicians, also injected energy and vibrancy into the atmosphere.

Said NSman Corporal (CPL) (NS) Ho Ghim Khoon, who participated in the AHM as part of the 9th Division: "The route this year seemed harder, because there were more slopes, but I think it was very encouraging to have the mobile teams cheering me on along the way."

"Every year the route is slightly different, and this year, being able to run across the Marina Bay Sands IR made it very nice and scenic," added the 26-year-old CPL (NS) Ho, a student at the Nanyang Technological University. He completed the race in under 1 hr 25 min.

Besides promoting a healthy lifestyle, the mass run also helped to raise funds for the less fortunate in society, with donations of $180,000 and $162,300 collected for the National Kidney Foundation and the Community Chest of Singapore respectively.