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SEA Games: Not the fastest, but Soh and Mok are fancying their chances

KUALA LUMPUR – The race to men’s marathon gold will be decided on Saturday morning (Aug 19, 6am, Singapore time) when the region’s best distance runners take to the Putrajaya course to battle for the title. For the first time, Team Singapore will be fielding its strongest-ever pair of distance runners for the event: Soh Rui Yong and Mok Ying Ren, who won the 2015 and 2013 men’s marathon gold respectively.

Mok Ying Ren (left) won the SEA Games marathon gold in 2013. He did not compete in 2015 and the gold was captured by Soh Rui Yong (right). TODAY FILE PHOTOS

Mok Ying Ren (left) won the SEA Games marathon gold in 2013. He did not compete in 2015 and the gold was captured by Soh Rui Yong (right). TODAY FILE PHOTOS

KUALA LUMPUR – After two years of hard work, sweat and pushing on through injuries, the race to men’s marathon gold will be decided on Saturday morning (Aug 19, 6am, Singapore time) when the region’s best distance runners take to the Putrajaya course to battle for the title.

For the first time, Team Singapore will be fielding its strongest-ever pair of distance runners for the event: Soh Rui Yong and Mok Ying Ren, who won the 2015 and 2013 men’s marathon gold respectively. 

A flat looping course in forecasted 25 deg weather awaits the runners, and both Singaporeans can expect a grueling road race among a field comprising gold medal hopefuls Agus Prayogo and defending silver medallist Boonthung Srisung of Thailand. 

Soh, who won gold in 2hr 34min 56sec on home soil in 2015, knows he is not a shoo-in for gold, particularly against Agus, whom he has known since they first raced together at the 2012 Asean University Games, and Boonthung, both of whom have posted quicker personal best times over the 42.195km distance. Soh’s PB is 2:24:55, while the Indonesian and Thai’s times are 2:21:09 and 2:24:01.

With Friday’s weather (Aug 18) was a cool and rainy 25 deg Celsius, Soh is holding out hope for sunny skies on race day. While the 26-year-old is keeping mum on his race day strategy, he is aiming to outlast the pack on race day.

“Where I trained in the United States (Flagstaff, Arizona) was hot but not as humid, and when I was back in Singapore, it was hot and humid," he told TODAY. 

“I race better in the heat than most people. I’m more confident than I’ve ever been. The trick is to not get over confident about my fitness.

"Two years ago, the weather conditions in Singapore slowed people down. That’s important as Agus is a national front runner so he’ll push it, go out and grind people down and he’s really good at that.

“In cool weather, runners like him and Boonthung can do anything, but in hot weather it’ll be harder. I’m definitely keeping my eyes on a few contenders who can make an impact. I’m pretty good at thinking on my feet so I’ll improvise during the race.”

The marathoner, who holds the national record of 31:15.95 in the 10,000m, will be hoping that his speed will count in the final push in the last 10km.

He added: “I think I have one of the best finishes in this field, and not that many people in South-east Asia are that strong in the last 10km. I’m not going to do any work for 32km…the key is to be super relaxed, super economical and not make any stupid moves.”

Mok, who won Singapore’s first men’s marathon gold in Myanmar four years ago, will also fancy his chances in the race.

The medical doctor has had to balance training sessions with his busy work schedule as a resident of orthopaedics surgery at the National University Health System. 

While training has been less than ideal for the 29-year-old, he said: “I feel good about my fitness but nevertheless I have had to half my training load since getting back into my orthopaedics residency.

"Also, with my wedding preparations and moving into my new flat, the challenges have taken a different form. 

“Almost all my competitors have the privilege of focusing 100 per cent of their time on training and recovering in the past months while I juggle 80 hour work weeks. Judging on this alone, it will not be easy. It will take nothing but my best showing on race day to best them.”

Mok, who only recently returned to his best form after a long injury spell, posted a new personal best of 2:26.07 at the Seoul International Marathon earlier this year.

After missing out on the 2015 edition due to injury, he is hoping for a good showing this time, as he added: “That feeling (of winning in 2015) was nothing short of incredible. To win it again in KL would be the icing on the cake.”

 

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