S’pore marathoner Jasmine Goh can’t wait to make SEA Games debut

SINGAPORE – In a month’s time, Jasmine Goh will finally realise her dream of donning Singapore colours.

At 37, it is a reality the marathoner could hardly have envisaged when she first picked up running six years ago just to lose weight.

Goh went from strength to strength and targeted SEA Games qualification at the start of last year, then achieved it in September’s Sydney Marathon by clocking 3hr 4min 43secs to meet the mark of 3:07:14 set by the Singapore Athletics Association.

“When I started, I also doubted myself as I’ve never ran that kind of timing,” she told TODAY during the Great Eastern Women’s Run (GEWR) 2017 launch event on Wednesday (July 19) at Raffles Place.

“I’m excited for the SEA Games. It’s like you have a dream and it’s almost a reality right now… It’ll really hit home when I’m at the start line, that everything I’ve worked towards has come true and has happened for me.

“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime and it’s such an honour to wear national colours.”

As part of her preparations, Goh has increased the duration of her training sessions since the start of the year and believes she is “on track” to do her best in Kuala Lumpur. Rachel See is the Republic’s other representative.

“The most important thing now is to stay healthy and injury free, and follow the programme my coach has designed or structured as much as possible,” she said. “And not getting stressed about it and just enjoying the process!”

Goh cited a longer recovery time – due to age – as one of the main challenges she has faced, as well as having less time for her family and work as a financial consultant.

“I have not been able to see my kids for breakfast because we do our long runs in the morning,” said the single mother of two.

“There are also certain things I can’t attend, and of course for work, in order to juggle everything, something has to go, that’s one of the sacrifices as well.”

Goh managed everyone’s expectations by letting them know of her plans early on and is grateful for the support of her family, employers and her running club, F1 Runners’ Team. Her coach, Lexxus Tan, even helped to raise funds from her team-mates to help cover her loss of income from an increased training load.

“My coach knows that time away from work means less income, so the club members came together to provide me some financial support,” said Goh, who was boosted by S$31,170 in donations. “I’m really appreciative and it’s amazing, the feeling that everyone’s got my back – and so I have to do my best.”

Setting a personal best of 2:54:51 at February’s Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, almost nine minutes faster than her previous best of 3:03:40, has boosted Goh’s confidence. However, she is not setting any targets for herself at the Games, where Singapore has not medalled in the event since Toh Soh Liang’s bronze in 1997.

“I never set any timing for myself in any race,” she said. “You’ve already done your best to be at the stat line, everything else will unfold nicely.”

Goh hopes her story sends out the message that nobody should give up on their dreams – and believes the new “2km Mummy + Me Run” - catered for mothers and daughters aged seven to 12 - at the GEWR this year will help young girls do just that.

The winner of the GEWR half-marathon last year, Goh will be participating with her daughters Faith, eight and Cherish, 10.

“It’s a great category as the kids are used to running 1.6km in school, so it’s going to take them out of their comfort zone a little bit – that’s when you start dreaming big and aiming high,” she said.

“They are running with so many other children and if they see that other girls can do it, they will think they can do it too.

“My younger one, she’s a bit afraid as she’s only done 800m, but I told her to just go and play and have fun. She will be there with me and her sister, she will be in good hands and we’ll finish it together!”

Participants will also be able to download a mobile application to help them train, while there is an option to customise their race bibs and/or t-shirts this year. Organisers are targeting 15,000 participants.

GE’s Head of Group Brand and Marketing, Keith Chia, said: “As a LIFE company, we are committed to inspiring and empowering the community to live healthier and better.

“This is the 12th year we are organizing the run and we are pleased it has grown from strength to strength.”

Visit www.greateasternwomensrun.com for more information.