(The 8 Key Runners of Run-Round Singapore Race 2005)
1 & 2 Oct was a great day for NTU, since the school celebrated her 50th annniversary with a 168km Run Round Singapore race, which it first to be conducted in Singapore. 8 key runners from NTU/NIE aluminus, Staffs and Students were selected to be the ones running the full 168km distance, that to be completed under 30 hours.
The Race started on 1st Oct @ 9 a.m. outside the the Chinese Heritage Centre of NTU. Actually, I had registered as an escort runner and should be running with 1 of the key runners, Miss Sumiko Tan (the only female key runner) on 2nd Oct, but I had chosen to take part in the starting run also, so as to get a feel of the race. It was a pleasant run for me as I ran a distance of approv. 10km from NTU starting point to the station 3. From there, I left the key runners and got back home for some rest at home to prepare for the actual escort role that I was in on 2nd Oct.
From the evening news on 1st Oct, It was mentioned that 1 of the key runners, Mr Adrain Mok (Triathlon Ironman) was leading the race in the 1st position and estimated that he should be finishing the race within 24 hours. I was quite impressed about it.
However, on the 2nd Oct morning @ around 6.30 a.m., I received SMS from the organiser about the various location of each runners and I was surprised to hear that Mr Adrian Mok had injured his leg and was at the 3rd position at the point of time and only left 3 key runners whom would actually complete the full 168km race, while the remaining 5 key runners would be taking a rest and followed up with the 3 key runners at later stations.
From the SMS, I knew that the key runners are running quite fast, and they were 3-4 hours ahead of time. That means that I have to report to my particular station few hours earlier than the actual estimated start off timing. Then I washed up and rushed down to my starting point @ Lakeside MRT station to accompany the key runner as escort runner.
It was pleasant running with the key runners, and the left lane of the road was re-served for us to run, with the cisco police helping us to control the traffic.
Runing back to NTU, I heard that the 1st key runner who ran past the finishing point was Mr Lim Nghee Huat (A 52 year old Nantah alumnus) with a record timing of 24 hrs 44 min and 52 sec. (Wah! amusing with a 52 year old man running so fast) and the 2nd key runners, Mr Yong Yuen Cheng (NIE almumnus) finished in around 27 hrs 11 min and 3 sec and the 3rd runner, Mr Adrian Mok finally finshed the race in around 27 hrs 54 min 53 sec, walking all the way back to NTU, since he injured his leg halfway during the race and the Relay Team finished in around 29 hours (all the runners finished it under the target timing of under 30 hours).
I was very proud of the 3 key runners who completed the race, especially Mr Adrian Mok, who still insist to complete the race even though he was injured.
At the end point, there was a stage to hold the celebration for the runners who completed the race with medal given them and various stage preformance going on. It was really a very exciting and pleasant day for me as I can be a part in celebrating the 50th anniversary for NTU. :) Good Day !!
1 & 2 Oct was a great day for NTU, since the school celebrated her 50th annniversary with a 168km Run Round Singapore race, which it first to be conducted in Singapore. 8 key runners from NTU/NIE aluminus, Staffs and Students were selected to be the ones running the full 168km distance, that to be completed under 30 hours.
The Race started on 1st Oct @ 9 a.m. outside the the Chinese Heritage Centre of NTU. Actually, I had registered as an escort runner and should be running with 1 of the key runners, Miss Sumiko Tan (the only female key runner) on 2nd Oct, but I had chosen to take part in the starting run also, so as to get a feel of the race. It was a pleasant run for me as I ran a distance of approv. 10km from NTU starting point to the station 3. From there, I left the key runners and got back home for some rest at home to prepare for the actual escort role that I was in on 2nd Oct.
From the evening news on 1st Oct, It was mentioned that 1 of the key runners, Mr Adrain Mok (Triathlon Ironman) was leading the race in the 1st position and estimated that he should be finishing the race within 24 hours. I was quite impressed about it.
However, on the 2nd Oct morning @ around 6.30 a.m., I received SMS from the organiser about the various location of each runners and I was surprised to hear that Mr Adrian Mok had injured his leg and was at the 3rd position at the point of time and only left 3 key runners whom would actually complete the full 168km race, while the remaining 5 key runners would be taking a rest and followed up with the 3 key runners at later stations.
From the SMS, I knew that the key runners are running quite fast, and they were 3-4 hours ahead of time. That means that I have to report to my particular station few hours earlier than the actual estimated start off timing. Then I washed up and rushed down to my starting point @ Lakeside MRT station to accompany the key runner as escort runner.
It was pleasant running with the key runners, and the left lane of the road was re-served for us to run, with the cisco police helping us to control the traffic.
Runing back to NTU, I heard that the 1st key runner who ran past the finishing point was Mr Lim Nghee Huat (A 52 year old Nantah alumnus) with a record timing of 24 hrs 44 min and 52 sec. (Wah! amusing with a 52 year old man running so fast) and the 2nd key runners, Mr Yong Yuen Cheng (NIE almumnus) finished in around 27 hrs 11 min and 3 sec and the 3rd runner, Mr Adrian Mok finally finshed the race in around 27 hrs 54 min 53 sec, walking all the way back to NTU, since he injured his leg halfway during the race and the Relay Team finished in around 29 hours (all the runners finished it under the target timing of under 30 hours).
I was very proud of the 3 key runners who completed the race, especially Mr Adrian Mok, who still insist to complete the race even though he was injured.
At the end point, there was a stage to hold the celebration for the runners who completed the race with medal given them and various stage preformance going on. It was really a very exciting and pleasant day for me as I can be a part in celebrating the 50th anniversary for NTU. :) Good Day !!
(Photo of me as Escort Runner with main runner, Mr Yong Yuen Cheng)
Here is the link showing the details on the 8 key runners if you are interested:
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/RunRoundSIN/run+event/run+categories.htm
Below is the URL for the overall 168km race video:
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