MR25 Ultra Marathon 2010 (Part 2)

MR25 - Expansion in the number of runners taking part

MR25, as the most successful club, was able to attracted many runners for the Ultra-Marathon race this year. The race started from 7am and ended at 7pm. It was free for members and a nominal $30 fee for non-members. The start was at MacRitchie Canteen and the runners had to run to a place which is between the Ranger Station and Jelutong tower and make a u-turn to come back.

Once the event was over, we had two champions - Sumiko Tan for women open and Sia Chuan Han for men open. Both did 9 rounds of about 10.2km.

A number of runners, running in the cool weather of the race had to brave heavy rain and continue while they run. The men runners found Devathas, 6th in 2010 SSCM race, running fast, not realising that Devathas was actually aiming to do 5 rounds of the Ultra Marathon Race. Mun Yong Liang and Jeevanesh saw Devathas running.

I saw Donald Ng, as an active MR25 member, who described the race to me. I told him to answer me on the event in an interview.

Pictrue 1- Donald Ng, so many years of experience running in MacRitchie Reservoir.

How many rounds did you do?

I did 5rounds in 6hr 53min.

How was the route and terrain?

The route is different. It was more shady with more uphills and downhills. I found coming back easier.

How many runners turned up for this race?

About 300 people over.

How did you find the run and the route.

Because we had to go to and fro, we found the route too narrow, especially at the northern route. We had some public coming for walk obstructing our run. This took away the time. The gantry somewhere around the 4km was not up. There was some miscommunication although permission was already granted. We had to bring our body down the gantry and it was tiring us, affecting us in our performance.

After interviewing Donald Ng, I met Evan Chee who was leading the table and finished 8 rounds with 2hours in his hand still. As a former Maris Stella Secondary student he took up running and like ultra-marathon and it was the first time running. He stopped, hoping that he will get second. After the run, he realised that a number of people pushed his position from 1st to 6th. Evan Chee, actually has regrets for his action of being complacent and not continue the run.

By tonight the result will be up and we have an interview from Sia Chuan Han, who finished first in men open section.

Picture 2 - Sia Chuan Han, winning the ultramarathon in the men section.