Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2009
Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2009Date: 06 December 2009, Sunday
Time: 5.30am
Start Point : Esplanade Drive, The Esplanade Bridge
End Point : St Andrew’s Road, The Padang
Article courtesy of and copyrighted by Lianhe Zaobao. All rights reserved.
Does anyone know how to translate the content to english?
First and foremost, I would like to thank the following:
- Singapore Sports Council (SSC) (Ms. Neddely), Standard Chartered, Singapore Athletic Association (SAA) for allowing me to take part in this prestigious event and providing me with the complimentary entry.
- Fulford Public Relations Consultancy Pte Ltd (Ms. Sheila and Ms. Samantha) for 'connecting' me to the media and creating a platform for exposure about me, my blog and the disability athletic group.
- Mediacorp press (Mr. Tan Yo-Hinn) and radio for providing the platform to share my story and also to create awareness about disability sports and its athletes to the public.
- Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) 2009 Volunteers for their assistance and support before, during and after the race.
- Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) 2009 Participants for their support and encouragement throughout the race.
And I would like to say a very special and heart-filled thanks to Encik (CSM) Daniel Ong Jin Hwa (Bib No. 21282) from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Signal Unit who was my pacer, my caregiver, my motivator during the race. Not only did he helped me to complete the gruelling 42km marathon, but he pushed me so that I can achieve my target with a completion time of below 5hrs of which I did, with a time of 4hrs 42mins 47secs.
During the race, he also looked after my well-being by helping me with the drinks, cooling me down by pouring water over my head, neck and face, feeding me with the energy gel and banana to boost my energy level, applying ointments to my legs to reduce/prevent aches and cramps, giving my legs quick massages and etc.
I'm truly grateful and indebted to him. Thank you so much Encik (CSM) Daniel Ong Jin Hwa. If anyone knows how to contact or reach him, please let me know.
Anyway, I'm very satisfied with my achievement. After many weeks of hard and rigourous training, I finally managed to negotiate and conquer my maiden marathon. I delivered and exceeded my expectation.
In general, the whole event was organised very well. I hope that I'm able to participate in the next year Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) 2010 and complete with a better timing, but only if my legs allow it as I will be undergoing operation (muscle transplant) soon.
In general, the whole event was organised very well. I hope that I'm able to participate in the next year Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) 2010 and complete with a better timing, but only if my legs allow it as I will be undergoing operation (muscle transplant) soon.
Below are more pictures for your viewing pleasures:
Article from Today (Mediacorp) Newspaper
Dec 03, 2009
He's running out of time
Sunday's race may be this record holder's last
By Tan Yo-Hinn
1-Arm-Runner with the New Balance kit
SINGAPORE - As an army officer during his National Service (NS), 1-Arm-Runner (picture) lived by the motto "actions speak louder than words". That was tested six years ago, when an accident cost him his right arm and left his other paralysed.
His world could have crumbled but, instead, 1-Arm-Runner is now a technical report editor and is the Asian record holder for disabled athletes in the men's 800 metres (2 min 26.00 sec).
This Sunday, the 1-Arm-Runner will run his first marathon at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon and, on Dec 27, his first ultra-marathon at the MR25. "I was a Guards officer during my NS days, and you lead by example," 1-Arm-Runner told MediaCorp yesterday. "I believe actions speak louder than words, and in living life to the fullest."
Yet, it may be the final time he will be able to run. To regain partial use of his left arm, 1-Arm-Runner will undergo a 21-hour operation in January to transplant his hamstring muscle from his right leg onto his chest and left arm. That would make running very difficult.
"I'm in a dilemma," he said. "If I delay my surgery further, it would be too late and I will not regain the use of my left arm again. But if I do it, then I may not run again. It's a life-changing decision."
As a teenager, 1-Arm-Runner was part of the then-Tanjong Pagar United's youth football squad coached by Robert Lim, and also the Combined Schools Hockey team. However, in 2003, the then-marine service engineer with Man Diesel Singapore lost control of his motorbike when he swerved to avoid hitting a dog.
He crashed and his right arm broke after it was caught in a railing. "My family members had to work doubly hard to pay off our bills, expenses, mortgage," said 1-Arm-Runner.
Since then, he has had six operations, including skin grafts, costing about $80,000. His surgery in January could cost $20,000.
He just did it
Fiercely independent, 1-Arm-Runner become a web and graphics designer to augment his family's income. To prepare for surgery, he started running and gym training a year ago to build up his leg muscles.
He also undergoes sports physiotherapy and gym training at the Singapore Sports Council.
At his elder brother's encouragement, 1-Arm-Runner competed in last year's Swissotel Vertical Marathon, and the recent Asean Para Games in Kuala Lumpur, where he took silver in the 800m in 2 min 29 sec. He set the Asian record of 2:26.00 for the 800m at the Arafura Games in Darwin in May this year.
As a volunteer with the Singapore Disability Sports Council, 1-Arm-Runner also trains intellectually-disabled teenagers.
To prepare for the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, 1-Arm-Runner trains twice daily, with up to 35km morning runs and afternoon speed-endurance training.
"By running this Sunday and (the MR25) on Dec 27, I want to raise public awareness of disabled athletes, and to show disabled people that sports is a good rehabilitation," he said. "It may be the last two times I run. If it's the first and last times I run the marathon and ultra-marathon, I want to at least finish them."
1-Arm-Runner trains twice daily to prepare for the Marathon
