Last Sunday, a record 40,000 runners braved the 5.30am morning chill, to run the ‘race of their life’ at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2007. This year’s record breaking attendance surpassed last year’s 31,000 runners and the race spans across 50 nationalities but it was the African runners who showed dominance
The elite African runners broke from the pack, early-on after flagging off and lasted the downtown route to the winding path and the windy conditions of the coastal marathon route in a grueling fast pace, where the eventual winner for the Men’s Marathon category, Kenyan Elijah Mbogo smashed the old record by 37 seconds in a new record time of 2:14.22
It was a shocked win for Elijah, for he has only ran one marathon before his win. He managed to outpaced and outlast the two time Singapore Marathon defending champion Kenyan Amos Tirop Matui. He lost to Elijah by just mere 3 seconds. In a distance third, 16 seconds away was another Kenyan, David Cheruiyot who finished third
As for the women’s Marathon, Ethiopia’s Alem Ashebier Gebrezo won it comfortable in a time of 2:37.08, some 57 seconds ahead of second placed Kenya’s Edith Masai, while the third spot was also grabbed by a Kenyan, Caroline Kwambai
Both winner for the Men and Women’s Marathon gets $25,000 in prize money. As for local marathoners, Singaporean Daniel Ling finished 22nd overall and fourth in the regional runners. Local ladies category was again won by Vivian Tang
For many of the runners, they are just happy to participate in the marathon, not for glory, but for achieving personal bests, enjoying every moment, living consciously in the here and now where each runner have total control and “nothing can stop me” feeling. Each one who crosses the line is a winner themselves
Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2007 this year saw a rise in it’s participation. The race has five race categories of individuals and teams ranging from the 42.195km, half marathon to the 750m kids dash. Also the event saw more corporate teams participating this year.
