SAFRA S'pore Bay Run and Army Half Marathon draws 41,000 participants

SINGAPORE - More than 41,000 participants took part in this year's SAFRA Singapore Bay Run & Army Half Marathon (SSBR & AHM) at Esplanade Bridge on Sunday morning (Aug 20) as they joined the nation in saluting past and present national servicemen for their contributions in defending Singapore. 

The event, which commemorates 50 years of National Service (NS50) and also celebrates its 25th edition this, was hosted by Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) and Second Minister for Defence Ong Ye Kung.

Mr Ong, who is also the President of SAFRA, who flagged off the NS50 Team Run and the SAFRA 5km Fun Run, saw runners participating in a special salute segment before their runs . 

The NS50 Team Run was a new category 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. It 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.

Also participating in the NS50 Team Run for the very first time was a special contingent of over 50 runners comprising students from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and their fathers who are NSmen, echoing the NS50 theme, ‘From My Generation To Yours’.

The event also gave the families of NSmen a glimpse of Singapore’s unique NS experience.

There were displays of nostalgic images along the running routes, featuring significant moments such as the haircut on enlistment day and the rifle presentation ceremony to recruits. Participants could also 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-tonne tyre flip, battle rope and sandbell lift.

Families also had the opportunity to get a taste of the field rations that national servicemen eat when they are on outfield training exercises. 

Giant inflatables inspired by the SAF’s Standard Obstacle Course were also featured at the event and proved popular among families. These included the inflatable Stepping Stones along the SAFRA 5km Fun Run and another inflatable course featuring the Ditch, Window, Dodging Panels and Tunnel at the post-run Carnival held at the Padang. 

Even the little ones participating in the Families for Life 800m Challenge had the opportunity to don Army-themed attire with their parents and camouflage their faces. 

SSBR & AHM 2017 organising committee chairman Colonel (NS) Simon Lim said: “This year’s run is a special one as it is our 25th edition. It has also brought together past and present national servicemen from various cohorts, their families, including their children who will take up the mantle of defending our nation in the future.

"We also wanted to create more opportunities where their families could better understand the tough training they go through to defend their loved ones and provide an avenue for them to show their appreciation through a salute, a simple yet meaningful gesture. All these go a long way in strengthening the sense of pride and purpose among our national servicemen in their service to the nation.”

The 21km AHM Men’s was won by Melvin Wong (above, right) in 1hr 16min 25secs. 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.