Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2013

54,000 runners

16,100 full marathon runners

Kenyans sweep top spots 

The Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore is an IAAF Gold Label Road Race. The inaugural race was held in 1982. This marathon has grown from strength to strength. This year alone 54,000 participants braved the slight drizzle to take part in Singapore's most popular race. Yet again the Kenyans dominated in almost every category. With each passing year more and more of them come to our shores. Yours truly won't be surprised if a couple of Kenyans will venture to Kuching come 17th August 2014 for our very own marathon . As it stands many of my friends went to Singapore to run SCMS. For some it was a double of sorts, as they had previously done the Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon. Having achieved my FM target for 2013 I am hanging up my running shoes till next year. Oh yes, there's the much anticipated Momentum Run Series starting on 22nd December, but that can be considered as a training run. Lessons learned from this year will be brought forward to next year, especially on how to keep my legs fresh.

On the race day itself I was at home tracking all my friends online. There was Reuben Su running his first SCKLM, and his third FM of the year. Frances Ngu was running her second FM, having had a disastrous outing last year at SCKLM, and was hoping to crush the demons of that race. Then there was Shirleen Ong who was out to break her full marathon virginity (FMV). Philip Chua, our Kuching Marathon Race Director was going for his sixth FM. He had achieved his PB at PBIM two weeks ago, but was nursing an ankle injury. His son Marcus, who had run an awesome race at SCKLM, was sick, but decided to soldier on for his second FM. Shannon Lee had also been at PBIM, and he was going for his third FM. Tony Liew was up for his second FM. George Chapman was running his second FM after BIM. Alex Liew and Desmond Sahathevan had also run at BIM. All told everyone ran a good race, with all of them recording sub-6 times. Frances I am happy to say vanquished her demons this time around.

(Many thanks to my friends for providing the pictures you see here)

Terry Fox Run 2013

The Terry Fox run returns to Malaysia for it's 33rd anniversary to mark the fight against cancer. It will be held at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, 1st December at 8.00am. Sadly I won't be there in person, but I will be there in spirit. I will wear my Terry Fox t-shirt on that day to show my support for this charity event. Those who are familiar with this event will know that it is non-competitive in nature. So anyone who participates in it can use any non-motorised form of transport. What that means is we can walk, run, cycle or even skate the route. It is divided into Family Route (3km) and Standard Route (5km). As always participation is free. However participants are encouraged to purchase the Terry Fox Run T-shirts. The proceeds of which will go to the Cancer Research Initiative Foundation (CARIF) to be used for cancer research. After learning of the event I got my friend in KL to purchase one for me. She bless her soul refused to accept payment.

What many might not know, and yes I didn't know too, till I did my research, is that the Terry Fox Run is the largest single day fundraiser for cancer research in the world. The Terry Fox story began in 1977, when as an 18-year-old he was diagnosed with bone cancer. His right leg had to be amputated above the knee. While in hospital, Terry was touched by the suffering of young cancer patients. He took it upon himself to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. We're talking a distance of not less than 8,500km here! Terry, now an amputee, called his journey the "Marathon of Hope." He wasn't kidding about the marathon part either. Terry would go on to run a marathon a day 143 consecutive days! That meant he ran a total of 5,373km. Any marathon runner, myself included, would tell you that is an extraordinary feat indeed. Unfortunately he had to abandon his quest as the cancer had spread to his lungs. Terry would pass away a few months later. He was 21-years-old.

I will be the first to admit that his story affected me profoundly. Terry's "Marathon of Hope" would continue to live on in the charity event that bears his name, in the hopes for finding a cure for cancer. Since 1981 the Terry Fox Foundation has raised more than RM1.3 billion aid from the Terry Fox Run, which is held in over 50 countries throughout the world annually. All it takes to start the ball rolling is to purchase a Terry Fox Run t-shirt for RM30. Of course personal donations can also be made to the foundation. We all have our reasons why we run. Terry Fox had his. By taking part in the Terry Fox Run we continue in the journey he first started. So wherever you are today go out and do a training run in his name so that his journey never ends. Do visit the official Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/TerryFoxRunKL  It's always nice to run for reason, especially if the reason has to do with charity. Happy running always everyone!

I got mine too!

Since I wasn't at the run I got my friends to take pics for me. The photos below are all from my friend Cino Tic's camera. He took one hundred pics. I had difficulty choosing from them too. Thanks CT!

Last but not least, special thanks to my FM running buddy Cynthia (dimples) for making this all possible...