Hundreds of runners from Singapore clocked their personal best times during the Gold Coast Airport Marathon 2014 (GCAM14) held in Queensland, Australia, on 5 to 6 July 2014. This was the first time the International Association of Athletics Foundation sanctioned the event with “gold race” status. The weather was perfect for the weekend event with sunny skies and mild temperatures as 21,147 runners participated in the various categories over the 2-day event.
Singapore was well represented with its largest ever contingent of runners this year. About 3,000 runners hailed from Singapore and other international locations. Japan showed up with the most international runners with 846 runners and China boosted its participation with nearly 5 times as many runners this year with 161 runners.
Singapore Runners Came and They Conquered
Singapore had 358 runners competing and most clocked their best ever marathon times as the event cemented its place on the world stage. Many runners were also competing in their first international marathon event. Despite the strong global competition, Singaporean runners performed very well.
It was a close shave among the Singaporean women with just minutes separating the top 3 42km winners.
Anna Helowicz crossed the finish line first with a time of 3hr 00mins 40secs, breaking last year’s time. Rachel See was the next to cross the finish line with a time of 3hr 09mins 01secs followed by Neo Jie Shi at 3hr 11min 10secs.
Among Singaporean men, Fang Jianyong finished ahead of the rest of the nation’s runners with a time of 2hr 38min 40secs followed by countrymen Ning Wenlong at 2hr 53min 57secs and Poon Zi Li with a time of 3hr 05min 51secs.
Regardless of how they placed, the Singaporean runners displayed a great deal of camaraderie and sportsmanship while representing the nation’s many outstanding virtues.
Kenyan Debuts on Gold Coast with Fastest Ever Aussie Marathon
Silah Limo of Kenya was the overall race winner and finished with a record time of 2hr 09min 14secs in what he later explained to media and cheering crowd was his first-ever marathon. The 22-year-old runner is off to a conspicuous start to his international marathon career. Asami Kato, 23, finished first among all women with a winning time of 2hr 28min 51secs. She vowed to return to defend her title.
With one of the largest contingents of international competitors and many personal bests set during the race, the international event turned its notch up and left many impressed!
And What Would the Gold Coast Be Without its Surfers Paradise?
While the GCAM14 is the most popular event on the coast, another big draw to the Gold Coast is known for its surfable waves and golden sands. You don’t actually have to be a surfer to enjoy its beauty. With surfers performing off shore, many travellers and locals trickle in to watch the surfers ply their trade and take in the sun and sea along with thousands of others. Runners, yogis, sunbathers and people-watchers flock to the Surfers Paradise known for its outdoor splendor, ample shopping and other recreational opportunities.
The upbeat and energetic spirit of beautiful Queensland keeps travellers and locals coming back to both the Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise. Hence, this makes the Gold Coast Airport Marathon one of the best and most prestigious marathons in the world with increasing levels of local and international participation every year.
Do you plan to join your fellow countrymen for the 2015 edition of the Gold Coast Airport Marathon in Queensland, Australia, in 2015?
Event Summary
Total entries: 27,147
Number of Singaporeans: 358 entries
Top 5 Countries participating: Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, Singapore
Top 3 Placements for Singaporeans
Gold Coast Airport Marathon Men
- Fang Jianyong – 2hr 38min 40secs
- Ning Wenlong – 2hr 53min 57secs
- Poon Zi Li – 3hr 05min 51secs
Gold Coast Airport Marathon Women
- Anna Helowicz – 3hr 00mins 40secs
- Rachel See – 3hr 09mins 01secs
- Neo Jie Shi – 3hr 11min 10secs
ASICS Half Marathon Men
- Colin Chua – 1hr 24min 33secs
- Anthony Sum – 1hr 50min 10secs
- Josh Hosking – 1hr 50min 25secs
ASICS Half Marathon Women
- Serene Yang – 1hr 38min 16secs
- Holly Kuzmiak Ngiam – 1hr 40min 36secs
- Chen Siyun– 1hr 58min 12secs
Southern Cross University 10km Run Men
- Mok Ying Ren – 32min 10secs
- Dale Bickham – 36min 48secs
- Tuck Foo Yan – 54min 33secs
Southern Cross University 10km Run Women
- Gene Mari Ng – 1hr 01min 07secs
- Chua Hui Xiang – 1hr 01min 35secs
- Ruth Choy– 1hr 03min 10secs
