Mok is local Stanchart Marathon champ once again

SINGAPORE — He had not competed in a marathon since last May, and was not able to train adequately for this one because of work.

But all this did not stop national marathoner Mok Ying Ren from emerging as the top male local finisher at the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore (SCMS) for the fourth year in a row.

The 28-year-old doctor crossed the finish line in 2hr 41min 3s in 20th position overall yesterday morning, a full 2min faster than his winning time from last year. It was also Mok’s seventh time overall as local champion. Fellow national marathoner Ashley Liew finished as the second-fastest local runner in 2hr 49min 46s.

(Phroto: Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore Facebook Page)

Although his time was about 4min off the qualifying mark of 2hr 37min 10s for next year’s South-east Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, Mok said he was satisfied with his first marathon performance since taking part in the Ottawa Marathon in Canada last May.

“I think, towards the end, I felt the fatigue in my legs (but) I think that’s kind of expected because I haven’t really done really long runs,” said the two-time SEA Games marathon champion, who had to halve his training for the SCMS because of his busy workload as a doctor.

“So I will be building on that towards my goal next year to qualify for the SEA Games. That will be somewhere in March, either in (a marathon in) Japan or Korea.”

Mok admitted that he was “a bit worried” before the race, but “felt strong” as he progressed. He will need to adjust his training schedule from January, as he will be on shift work in the emergency department at the National University Hospital.

“That may add another level of challenge, disrupted sleep cycles and so on, so that’s something I have to grapple with for the next few months, but I’ve done it before, so it should be okay,” he said.

Qualifying for the SEA Games is also on the mind of local female champion Jasmine Goh, who marked her sixth straight SCMS by winning it for the first time in 3hr 9min 49s. Prior to yesterday, Goh had never finished in the top three.

“When I first ran in 2011, my only intention was to lose weight!” said the 37-year-old. “I joined a running club since the beginning of the year to try and qualify for the SEA Games. I was very inspired by the ladies last year ... I was at the SEA Games marathon race site cheering for them and I felt I could do it too.”

In fact, Goh has already clocked a time that is faster than the qualifying mark of 3hr 7min 14s. She completed the Sydney Marathon in 3hr 4min 43s in September. However, the final selection will be up to Singapore Athletics to decide.

Mok and Goh received S$10,000 each for winning their respective categories.

Meanwhile, Kenyan marathoners swept all top three positions in the men’s and women’s events.

Felix Kiptoo Kirwa became the 12th Kenyan to take home top honours, winning the Men’s Open with a time of 2hr 17min 17s.

Trailing close behind were compatriots Paul Kios Kangogo and David Kipkorir Rutoh, who kept pace all the way until the home stretch, before Kirwa broke away and clinched the title with an impressive sprint finish on the home stretch.

“I have never run before a hot race like Singapore,” said the SCMS debutant, who won S$50,000. “We have many great runners and the race was very competitive (but) when I arrived at the 40km (mark), that’s when I realised I could win the race.”

In the women’s Open, Rebecca Kangogo Chesir won the S$50,000 top prize with her 2hr 43min 3s effort. She was pushed all the way by Viola Yator Jelagat, and Peninah Jerop Arusei.

More than 46,000 participants took part in this year’s SCMS.