BAYSIDE RUN-DOWN

First Warrant Officer (1WO) Abdul Jabbar had run in seven previous Army Half Marathons (AHM), while Third Sergeant (3SG) Khen Kee Wei was a total newbie.

But both men gave the thumbs-up for the Singapore Bay Run (SBR) held on 26 Aug.

The SBR, which comprised of the 6-km Fun Run, 12-km Sheares Bridge Run and the 21-km AHM, saw some 70,000 participants taking part in the annual event.

"It was a challenging run, especially the last three kilometres," said 3SG Khen, a Communications Specialist from the 2nd Signals Battalion (2 SIG BN). "It really tested your mental strength."

Thanks to the "progressive training" he received back in camp, the 20-year-old managed to finish the AHM in less than 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Like 3SG Khen, 1WO Jabbar, a regular runner, also enjoyed this year's AHM. He praised SAFRA for coming up with a brand new route which he thought was "outstanding".

The new route took participants through Chinatown, up Benjamin Sheares Bridge, before going into East Coast Park, and ending at the new Marina Bay Seating Gallery.

"Finishing at the seating gallery gives a better feeling," quipped 1WO Jabbar from the Military Police Command.

Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Neo Kian Hong flagged off the competitive half-marathoners at 5.30am before taking part in the run, alongside Members of Parliament (MP) Jessica Tan and Michael Palmer.

After flagging off the 6-km Fun Run at 8am, Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean also participated in the run. Accompanying him were Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee, Minister of State for Defence and President SAFRA, and MP Denise Phua.

The loudest cheers of the SBR went to Mr Jagat Bahadur Magar, who came in first in the Men's Open category with a time of one hour and 18 minutes, edging out the second- and third-placed runners by mere seconds.

Singaporean Mok Ying Ren won the Men's Closed category, while Ms Vivian Tang defended her Women's Open crown, successfully shaving two whole minutes off her previous timing of one hour and 27 minutes.

Don't be surprised if you found yourself running alongside Chief of Air Force MG Ng Chee Khern at the AHM. Together with senior RSAF officers, MG Ng led several Air Force personnel to participate in the half-marathon. PIONEER gets up close and personal with the Air Force supremo.

PIONEER: Hi, MG Ng. How do you feel after the run?
MG Ng: I enjoyed it. I thought it was something that was good for a military guy to do.

Can you tell us what your timing was today?
MG Ng: 2 hours and 14 minutes.

Was there any part of the run that was more challenging?
MG Ng: I thought after the 15km mark, it was very difficult. Because after 15 km, the legs were really 'ceased out'. And in the last one kilometre, the legs were almost getting a cramp, but it was okay.

Each year we come for the AHM, we see a fantastic turnout. What could be the attracting factor?
MG Ng: I think running in a big crowd like that, especially at an unusual timing and being allowed to run in places that you normally don't run in, does provide a very different experience. It's much better than running near home or on a treadmill.

We hear that you've been encouraging RSAF personnel to take part in the AHM this year. Why so?
MG Ng: Running and fitness are just something that all military guys should have a personal responsibility for, so the encouragement is more at a personal level, not at an organised level. All military guys should be fit.

Did any of the other Services note an increase in the RSAF's participation this year?
MG Ng: I'm not sure, but they would have noted that quite a lot of senior Air Force officers, including the Chief of Air Force, took part. I think this is the first time the Chief of Air Force has run the AHM!

So, will you be taking part again next year?
MG Ng: I don't know, but I guess there will be pressure to do so. (laughs)