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Haynes fights pain to win night marathon

SINGAPORE — An ankle injury, swollen tendons and hamstring strain could not stop Stuart Haynes from taking an early lead and running 42.195km to win the eighth edition of the OSIM Sundown Marathon in the wee hours of yesterday.

Despite being injured, Stuart Haynes won the OSIM Sundown Marathon in 2: 41.34. Photo: Osim Sundown Marathon

Despite being injured, Stuart Haynes won the OSIM Sundown Marathon in 2: 41.34. Photo: Osim Sundown Marathon

SINGAPORE — An ankle injury, swollen tendons and hamstring strain could not stop Stuart Haynes from taking an early lead and running 42.195km to win the eighth edition of the OSIM Sundown Marathon in the wee hours of yesterday.

Despite his injuries, the Briton completed the race in 2 hours 41 minutes 34 seconds, more than 12 minutes clear of India’s Ullas Narayana (2:53.54).His compatriot, Thomas Greene (2:57.24), took the final podium spot, six minutes ahead of Singaporean Ang Chee Yong, 26.

Haynes, who also won the event in 2013 and had to sit out last year because of injuries, said his strategy had been to run with the pack in the early stages of the race.

“But after the first couple of kilometres, that went out the window when I saw I was alone,” said the 39-year-old. “So I just concentrated on enjoying the race.

“It also helped that the weather was cool and there were no Kenyans taking part. I could not defend my title last year, but I will definitely be back next year to do so.”

Japan’s Matsumoto Sakiko won the women’s race in 3:07.29, but the 28-year-old did not expect victory against Kenyans Viola Jepchirchir Kimeli and Susan Jemutai Chepkwony.

“I did not see them when I was in the start pen, so I thought I had a chance to win,” said Sakiko, 28. “But when I saw them at the 5km mark, I got a bit nervous. But I did not give up and am glad I managed to be the champion.”

Her fears were unfounded because she finished more than 10 minutes ahead of Kimeli and Chepkwony, who had to contend with second and third respectively.

A total of 26,000 runners competed across four race categories—the full marathon, half-marathon, 10km and 5km—in the two-day event over the weekend.

This year’s race also attracted several national athletes who competed at the 28th SEA Games, including Benjamin Quek, who won the men’s 10km category. Noah Tan

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