Race Day: Great Eastern Women’s Run 2015 Singapore

JustRunLah! was at Asia’s largest all-women race this morning, capturing the energy created by over 17,000 women. The event catered for all women as it offered a Half-Marathon (21.1km), a 10km and a 5km category, as well as a Princess Dash (100m) for the young ones! An fun-for-everybody event which was also a memorable occasion as Great Eastern Women’s Run broke the record for the most participants in an all-women run in Asia.

Congratulations to all finishers, and let us re-live some of the moments through our lens:

Official press release:

10^th edition of Great Eastern Women’s Run attracts record turnout of 17,000

The Run raised $120,000 for women and children-related causes

This morning, the 17,000 women who participated in the Great Eastern Women’s Run broke the record for the largest number of participants in an all-women run in Asia.

The race, in its 10^th edition, was bigger, better and more colourful and attracted increased participation in all three categories — the 5km Fun Run, 10km and 21.1km.

Guest-of-Honour, Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, flagged off the 10km category and also joined in the race.

Commented Minister Grace Fu, “I’m very happy to see that the scale of the Run has increased to 17,000 this year. I think Great Eastern Women’s Run has been a very attractive event for women, and I’d like to encourage women to adopt a healthy lifestyle because that will really help build a much better life for them. We would also like to see that more corporates step up, to not just promote healthy living but also to do a good social cause. With the efforts of the runners and Great Eastern, a substantial amount was raised for three charities. I think this is a wonderful idea of collaboration of people, corporates and the social sector. We hope more will come forward so that Singaporeans will enjoy an active lifestyle and do social good for the country as well.”

For the first time, participants donned colourful tutus in a myriad of hues of pink, blue, yellow and purple, in support of three women and children-related charities — Breast Cancer Foundation, Community Chest (Children with Special Needs) and SingHealth Duke-NUS OBGYN Academic Clinical Program.

Dr Khoo Kah Siang, CEO (Singapore), Great Eastern Life, commented, “We are extremely pleased with the record turnout of women of all ages for this special milestone year. As a LIFE company, Great Eastern is delighted to empower women through our signature Run and further fuel their zest for life. We are equally delighted this year to leverage the Run to raise a record $120,000 for three laudable causes. I applaud all participants for their commitment to healthy living through running. On Great Eastern’s part, we will continue to make a meaningful difference to the community.”

A total of 15 elite runners from Japan, North Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Philippines and Taiwan competed for a total prize purse of USD$16,500 and SGD$6,700 in their respective elite categories.

In the 21.1km Half Marathon Elite Open category, 18-year-old Kim Ji Hyang from North Korea emerged the overall winner with a timing of 1:12:53, taking home the grand prize of USD$8,000.

Yuko Watanabe, 28-years-old, from Japan put up a close fight with a timing of 1:16:01, followed by Myong Sun Sin from North Korea with a timing of1:17:06

Commented Ji Hyang, “Of course I’m happy to win but I didn’t expect to be first. There were stronger competitors today, such as the Japanese athletes, so this win is really unexpected. I’m happy to be able to bring home the gold medal for my people and my leader. It’s my first time in Singapore and I felt the running route today allowed me to see how beautiful Singapore is.”

The local Elite Closed category saw tough competition with Vivian Tang first past the finish Line with a time of 1:28:37. Rachel See was a close second with1:28:45 followed by last year’s local Elite Closed winner Mok Ying Rong at 1:31:11.

Commented Vivian, “I wasn’t expecting to win. I thought I would finish either second or third, I’m very happy with my win! The route was challenging but overall, the weather was great. This is my first time taking part in the 21.1km category of the Run and I am very happy with my result. I will give myself a nice treat after this!”

Another highlight was undoubtedly the inaugural Princess Dash. The race village at The Float@Marina Bay buzzed with squeals of delight and excitement as 500 girls aged three to nine years, clad in pink princess-like tutus participated in a 100-metre dash. Joining them were Minister Grace Fu and girls from Community Chest. All the girls were rewarded with a tiara to ‘top’ their glittering ensemble after their dash.

Commented Ang Siew Hoon, parent of soon-to-be four-year-old Emma Loh who took part in the Princess Dash earlier, “The Princess theme appealed to the little girls and it was obvious that all the kids had plenty of fun. It’s not every day that girls get to dress up for activities such as the Princess Dash, and the smiles as they tore down the first stretch together was priceless.”

The #RuntoLiveGreat programme was back by popular demand this year. 80 pairs of women participated in the Run and the programme, championed by social ambassadors Cheryl Miles, Kelly Latimer and May Wan.

Fittingly, the Jubilee Bridge was a new inclusion on the race route for the half marathon participants during this Jubilee year. The race route saw participants running past local iconic landmarks including Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, Merlion Park, Esplanade, Singapore Flyer, F1 Pit Building and the Sports Hub.

The ‘Look Good, Live Great’ Powder Room, a perennial crowd favourite, attracted scores of participants who made a beeline for the room to freshen up after their race. Participants were also treated to muffins, apples, hotdogs and massages.

At the Race Village, families and supporters enjoyed treats such as complimentary popcorn and candy floss. The bouncy castle, balloon sculpting, arts and crafts station also proved a hit.

Results

21.1km Half Marathon Elite Closed

21.1km Half Marathon Elite Open

21.1km Half Marathon Individual Closed

21.1km Half Marathon Individual Open

10km Individual Closed

10km Individual Open