46K PARTICIPANTS RACE AT S'PORE BAY RUN & ARMY HALF MARATHON

This year's flagship army sporting event was a bonding fiesta for citizen soldiers. Over 17, 000 Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) - a 74 percent increase from last year's partcipants - turned up with their family members to join active servicemen and regulars at the SAFRA Singapore Bay Run and Army Half Marathon.

Held on 1 Sep at the Marina Bay, the event drew a total of 46,000 runners, with double the number of NSmen who took part in the competitive 21km and 10km races last year.

Brigadier General Tung Yui Fai, vice-president of SAFRA and chairman of the organising committee for the event, said: "We are glad that many more NSmen have joined the event this year to keep fit. Many of them also brought their families to run and enjoy the activities together."

Participants were able to relive their National Service (NS) memories during the run, as familiar army songs were played along the race routes, which had also display boards depicting various NS experiences.

Loh Piang Khuen, 58, a former air maintenance officer in the Air Force, who took part in the race with his wife, daughters and son-in-law, said: "I think the carnival-like atmosphere was good. There were many side performances such as the cheerleaders, stilt walkers, and belly dancers, which made the run more enjoyable."

For 2nd Sergeant (SG) (NS) Soh Yong Qing , taking part in the race was a great opportunity for him to bond with his former schoolmates over their weekly training. The 27-year-old platoon sergeant in 323rd Battalion, Singapore Combat Engineers, who joined the 5km race with nine of his ex-secondary schoolmates, said: "It was a good way to come together to have fun, and to build up our fitness and motivate each other."

The event was graced by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen and Minister of State for Defence Dr Maliki Osman, who flagged off the 5km race and the Dads for Life 800m Father & Child challenge respectively. Second Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing also attended the event and he participated in the 10km run.

A record was set in the Singapore Book of Records for the "Largest Father & Child Race". A total of 671 father and child pairs successfully completed the Dads for Life 800m Father & Child challenge, eclipsing the previous record of 378 pairs set in 2011.

For Mr David Wong, his motivation for taking part was simple: to bond with his 6-year-old son Kai Jin. The 49-year-old quantity surveyor completed the 21km race before joining his son in the Father & Child challenge.

"It's about having fun and doing exercise together and he is very enthusiastic (about running)," said Mr Wong, who was an Acting Company Sergeant Major when he finished his NS cycle five years ago.

The event also saw various army units taking part. To improve their fitness and prepare for the race, many servicemen went for regular training runs.

One of these was 2nd Lieutenant Yu Xiao Xiang, Deputy S1 at 3rd Army Maintenance Base, who completed the 21 km race. The 20-year-old said: "I know that once you stop, you will be tempted to keep stopping. So it made me determined to keep running towards the finishing line. What this marathon taught me are determination and perseverance. These are qualities important for soldiers."