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Ultramarathoners carry flame for SEA Games torch

SINGAPORE — Against the backdrop of the Marina Bay skyline, ultramarathoners Lim Nghee Huat and Yong Yuen Cheng today (June 4) completed their 2,500km SG50 run.

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SINGAPORE — After running 2,500km over the past 50 days, ultramarathoners Lim Ngee Huat, 62, and Yong Yuen Cheng, 43, today (June 4) capped their achievement — which they have dedicated to the country’s 50th anniversary of independence — with the honour of kindling the flame that was used to light the 28th SEA Games torch. 

Mr Lim, who is the Chinese current-affairs editor at MediaCorp, said: “I think this is the contribution we can make to SG50 ... So, I hope that this can inspire more people to play their part to contribute to nation building.” 

After running 50km each day, Mr Lim, who had been waking up at 5am daily, said the first thing he wanted to do after they had completed their “mission” was to take a shower. “After that, I think I am going to sleep before I think of doing any other things.”

Mr Lim described it as an honour that he and Mr Yong could “represent the people of Singapore” to kindle the flame, which was kept alive for several hours in a lantern before Culture, Community and Youth Minister Lawrence Wong used it to light the official SEA Games torch at a ceremony in the evening. 

Speaking before a 2.5km torch parade involving six volunteer runners around Marina Bay, Mr Wong paid tribute to the Games volunteers. 

He also expressed delight at the performance of the Singapore contingent so far, as well as the level of support from the public. 

“This is possibly the best start we’ve had in our SEA Games campaign ever. But it is not just about the medals. More importantly, you see the athletes giving their all ... and in all the venues you see (they are) full, it’s all a sea of red — you see Singaporeans,” he said.

The torch parade was the culmination of community engagement efforts leading up to the Games.

Earlier in the day, 28 runners — aged between 19 and 55 years old — took part in a 12km community run across several locations including Orchard Road, Bras Basah, Sports Hub Singapore and the end-destination at The Promontory @ Marina Bay. 

A participant, 32-year-old teacher Gary Peh, said he signed up for the run after learning about it from a website. He roped in two of his running buddies. “I think this run will create bigger awareness of the SEA Games ... It’s a beautiful and meaningful project.”

Another participant, Ms Samantha Chin, 27, an urban farmer, added: “Members of the public were cheering us on as we ran through the stretch of Orchard — those sitting in restaurants — and at the Sports Hub. Even kids (were) cheering, ‘Go, SEA Games!’ We were wearing the Singapore flag on our shirts and it felt great.”

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