Over 41,000 participants joined the nation in saluting past and present national servicemen for their contributions in defending Singapore at the SAFRA Singapore Bay Run & Army Half Marathon (SSBR & AHM) on Sunday morning, 20 August.
Runners participated in a special salute segment before being flagged off at Esplanade Bridge. The event which commemorates 50 years of National Service (NS50) and also celebrates its 25th edition this year.
The event was hosted by Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) and Second Minister for Defence Mr Ong Ye Kung, who flagged off the NS50 Team Run and the SAFRA 5km Fun Run. Mr Ong is also the President of SAFRA.
Introduced this year to encourage past and present Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) to reunite and rekindle the close camaraderie forged during their NS days, the new NS50 Team Run category attracted over 2,500 participants who ran 5km in teams of 10 runners each, clocking a total distance of 50km per team to mark NS50.
SAFRA Singapore Bay Run & Army Half Marathon 2017 Results
The 21km AHM Men’s was won by Mr Melvin Wong with a timing of 1 hour 16 minutes 25 seconds. Three hundred SAFRA Running Club members also participated in the 21km AHM and the group gathered in an NS50 formation after the run to pay tribute to past and present national servicemen with a salute.
| Name | Time |
|---|---|
| 21km OPEN MENS | |
| James Barmasai | 1h 07m 20s |
| Joseph Mwangi Ngare | 1h 07m 43s |
| Mhuru Joh Muiruri | 1h 08m 53s |
| 21km AHM MENS | |
| Melvin Wong | 1h 16m 25s |
| Prashan D. Silva M.P | 1h 17m 41s |
| Banjanmin Quek Wei Jian | 1h 19m 15s |
| 21km AHM MENS MASTERS | |
| Ku Seow Wee | 1h 26m 22s |
| Ning Wenlong | 1h 30m 25s |
| Sim Jann Yeu | 1h 31m 27s |
| 10km OPEN MENS | |
| Lel Kipchirchir | 32m 04s |
| James Maregu | 32m 28s |
| Onsare Wilson Ombui | 33m 31s |
| 10km AHM MENS | |
| Jeevaneesh | 33m 33s |
| Nabin Parajuli | 34m 04s |
| Marcus Ong | 34m 16s |
| 10km MENS MASTERS | |
| Jason Ong Wei Kok | 40m 01s |
| Ron H Siow Hung Woo | 40m 07s |
| Lee Chong Guan | 41m 21s |
| 21km OPEN WOMENS | |
| Edinah Jeruto | 1h 18m 33s |
| Esther Wambui Karimi | 1h 19m 05s |
| Caroline Kigen | 1h 30m 59s |
| 21km AHM WOMENS | |
| Elaine Young | 1h 37m 24s |
| Chan Gin Ni | 1h 49m 33s |
| Abigail SIm E Xuan | 1h 54m 25s |
| 21km AHM WOMENS MASTERS | |
| Evelyn Lek | 1h 52m 32s |
| Tan En Jie Celine | 1h 55m 01s |
| Patricia Lee | 1h 55m 08s |
| 10km OPEN WOMENS | |
| Margaret Njuguna | 36m 03s |
| Isabela Jemurgor | 38m 11s |
| Bronwyn | 40m 45s |
| 10km AHM WOMENS | |
| Christie Han | 49m 57s |
| Katie | 50m 30s |
| Adeline Yap | 51m 57s |
| 10km WOMENS MASTER | |
| Ting Poh Liang | 1h 04m 37s |
| Samantha Chen Xiuqing | 1h 12m 37s |
| Koh Chew Yian | 1h 13m 58s |
For the full race results, visit here.
A Glimpse of Singapore’s Unique NS Experience
For the first time in SSBR & AHM, The families of NSmen were given a chance to try out the various exercises used by the Army to train strong soldiers. Located at the Padang, the Soldier Strong booth allowed parents and children to test their strength and endurance while trying the 5-ton tyre flip, battle rope and sandbell lift.
The Army’s professional instructors and EnergyOne gym’s fitness trainers were present to provide an in-depth explanation on the Army Soldier Strong training. Families also had the opportunity to get a taste of the field rations that national servicemen eat when they are on outfield training exercises. There were also other fun-filled activities such as the Wipe-out. The Music & Drama Company entertained participants with a series of NS50 songs.
(From left to right) Mdm Chan Yin Ho, Toh En Yi and Toh Eng Keong.
The SSBR & AHM is jointly organised by SAFRA and the Army to promote fitness and bonding among SAF active servicemen, NSmen and their families.
