Kibet, a former world marathon champion, joins fellow countryman Amos Matui, who won the event in 2005 and 2006, in having clinched two successive wins in the full marathon category, underscoring the Kenyans’ dominance of the race in recent years. “I am thrilled with the outcome of today’s race as I really wanted to win again here. The conditions in Singapore are not the easiest for marathons but I enjoyed the race and I look forward to making it a hat-trick of wins next year,” said Kibet.

Completing the top three in the men’s race was Vincent Krop Nyemw of Kenya who came in third. Albina Mayorova Ivanova of Russia emerged top of the field this year in the women’s full marathon category. Her winning time of 2:32:47 was two minutes ahead of second-placed Lyubov Morgunova of Russia (2:34:47) and Mary Akor Beasley of USA completed the top three with a time of 2:36:41.

In the Men’s Local category (full marathon), Mok Ying Ren clinched first place with a time of 2:43:42, with Ashley Liew finishing in 2:51:22 to secure the second place. Benny Goh took third place with a time of 2:56:44. Over in the Women’s Local category (full marathon), Qi Hui (3:15:25) piped Elaine Lim (3:23:00) to the finish line with Aileen Tan (3:39:16), rounding up the top three.

A total of 50,000 runners took to the streets this morning for the eighth Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, with Guest-of-Honour Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr George Yeo flagging off the Full Marathon.

The annual event also saw people populating the streets as they cheered on the runners and enjoyed the various activities staged at the East Coast Park, the F1 Pit Building, as well as the Padang.
Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Sports Council Oon Jin Teik said, “The marathon has developed into something much more than just a running event. Through new initiatives organised by the Singapore Sports Council this year, we have attracted a wider audience who have come along to support their friends and loved ones and have fun at the same time. The extensive line-up of performances and activities has added to this wonderful atmosphere and full credit must be given to the team for organising such a memorable day for everyone. The marathon is an excellent example of how sports events have the potential to contribute to society. It is fantastic to see so many involved in the event today and to witness this community spirit,” he added.

Title sponsor Standard Chartered Bank is equally encouraged by the accomplishments of the event. Regional Chief Executive Singapore and Southeast Asia, Ray Ferguson, said, “The overwhelming success of this event is an indication of Singapore’s progress as a sporting nation and we hope to continually contribute to this growth. This is an event that we are immensely proud of and one that we are sure will leave its footprints in Singapore’s sporting history.”

- END -
Issued on behalf of the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon Organising Committee

Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2009 Race Results
Full Marathon Results – Men (Individual)
1 Luke Kibet, Kenya. 2:11:24
2 Johnstone Chepkwony, Kenya, 2:11:32
3 Vincent Krop, Kenya, 2:11:49

Full Marathon Results – Women (Individual)
1 Albina Mayorova, Russia, 2:32:47
2 Lyubov Morgunova, Russia, 2:34:47
3 Mary Akor Beasley, USA, 2:36:41

Full Marathon Veteran Category – Men
1 Sim Jae Duk, Korea, 2:40:11
2 Benedict Tan, Singapore, 3:04:28
3 Simon Andrew, Singapore, 3:05:12

Full Marathon Veteran Category – Women
1 Eliza Mayger, Australia, 3:08:00
2 Itsuko Lenwes, Japan, 3:16:19
3 Yong Lai Chee, Singapore, 3:40:09

Full Marathon Singapore – Men
1 Mok Ying Ren, Singapore, 2:43:42
2 Ashley Liew, Singapore, 2:51:22
3 Benny Goh , Singapore, 2:56:44

Full Marathon Singapore – Women
1 Qi Hui, Singapore, 3:15:25
2 Elaine Lim , Singapore, 3:23:00
3 Tan Lin Wan Aileen, Singapore, 3:39:16

Half-Marathon Results – Men (Individual)
1 Richard Mutua, Kenya, 1:11:22
2 Muniandy Ramadass, Singapore , 1:14:31
3 Sefli Ahar, Brunei, 1:15:06

Half-Marathon Results – Women (Individual)
1 Anna Thompson, Australia ,1:17:09
2 Anne-Mari Kyrylainen, Finland, 1:24:11
3 Hayley Barber, Australia, 1:29:29

10KM – Men (Individual)
1 Clive Alley, GBR, 00:33:24
2 Nabin Kumar Rai, Nepal, 00:33:53
3 Venugopal Rajendran, Malaysia, 00:34:37

10KM – Women (Individual)
1 Hazuki Kamei, Japan, 00:41:43
2 Renuka Satianathan, Singapore ,00:42:51
3 Mok Ying Rong ,Singapore, 00:43:34

10KM WheelChair Challenge
1 Jack Lai, Singapore, 00:17:27
2 Roy Wong, Singapore, 00:24:53
3 Palanisamy Avaday, Singapore, 00:27:46

See you on race day Rod! :)

Ever wonder why much emphasis has been placed on warm up and cool down exercises before and after a running session?

Most people these days are subjected to long hours of sedentary lifestyles and stress – the primary cause of tight muscles in their bodies. The risk of sustaining injuries is increased as your muscles become shorter and tighter while running. Hence, stretching and flexibility exercises may help you to keep your muscles more supple, and this helps in absorbing and distributing the shock transmitted from running.

So how should you warm up? Most runners would have their own routines of warming up. For those who don't, try this:

• Start your warm up by walking/jogging for 10-15 minutes. This helps to raise your heart rate and increase the blood flow to your muscles, prepping them for exercise.
• Follow up with 10-15 minutes of static stretching for these muscles: Achilles tendon, calf muscles, hamstrings, quadriceps, lower back, shoulders and neck. Hold each stretch for 15-30 seconds. You should not be feeling pain but a bearable amount of tension in the muscle.
• After your run, spend another 10-15 minutes on static stretching. This will aid your recovery and prepare you for your next run.

Please refer to the American College of Sports Medicine's resource on stretching: http://www.myexerciseplan.com/assessment/stretch.pdf

WIN!

Be the first 15 to tell us one benefit you’ve gained from running, and stand a chance to win a tube of Dr. Joint Pain!

Inspired by their energy? Be part of the action and join us at the Padang this 6 December. You can also take part in our three competitions to win attractive cash prizes!

http://www.singaporemarathon.com/Supporters/Supporters%E2%80%99_Programme.aspx

It was 5pm, and we waited patiently outside the studios as John Klass was psyching Rod Monteiro for his big surprise!

Rod’s running the full marathon at this year’s Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, and has been complaining of pains in his legs during his runs. In response to his problem, John invited Sharon Lim, Principal Physiotherapist at Alexandra Hospital to the studios to give Rod an assessment and a rubdown LIVE. (And asked him to call him 'Daddy' in return).

Sharon talks about the IT Band, or otherwise known as Iliotibial band. It is a tough group of fibers that run along the outside of the thigh, and runners will usually describe pain on the outside part of the knee or lower thigh, often worsened by going up or down stairs, or getting out of a car. (http://www.rice.edu/~jenky/sports/itband.v2.html)

Quick tips from Sharon from Alexandra Hospital

How else can you recover from a run?
Proper stretches before and after the run. Take cold showers or ice baths, properly hydrate yourself and get proper nutrition after your run.

How to prevent injury?
Sensible training regime, be mindful of your diet, stay hydrated and rest well. On race day, be mentally prepared and enjoy the run!

So Rod, who's your daddy?

Rod will talk about his training on Mondays, on The Married Men Show on 91.3FM from 5pm to 7pm. The Married Men is aired every weekday. http://www.radio913.com/show/The-Married-Men

Pictures courtesy of Alexandra Hospital

In July, we launched a contest calling for runners to tell us what inspires them to wake up bright and early on Sundays, and join 49,999 others to hit the road running on the first week of December.

We’ve read all the stories, and we’d like to congratulate the 15 runners who have won themselves an Eco-Drive Citizen watch worth $475!

1. Alejandro Orino Co
2. Ang Yong Guan
3. Gonh Yin Leng
4. Lester Monar Yong
5. Lim Liang Seng
6. Loo Siew Wah
7. Richard Cheong Weng Keong
8. Serene Kwek Lee Leng
9. Wu Jianrong Eric
10. Danial Lee Kay Yong
11. Freddy Sim
12. Chen Huiling Laraine
13. Nicolette Chua Joo Cheng
14. Declan Lim
15. Christopher Chng Yeow Leong

Read all other inspiring stories at: http://www.singaporemarathon.com/Inspiration/Runners_Stories.aspx

Here are our top five inspirational stories that have tugged our heart strings and inspire us to put on OUR running shoes;

Lim Liang Seng

Get creative and show us how you will be cheering for the runners. You could juggle, form a mini marching band, cheer leading team or dance – it’s open to anyone and everyone!

Check it out here: http://www.singaporemarathon.com/Supporters/Supporters%E2%80%99_Programme/Cheer_Day_Out.aspx

Trigger Happy

Share with the world moments of the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon as seen in your lens. Tell us which of your photograph best captures the spirit of the event (be it about personal determination, family bonding, friendship, etc) and stand to win attractive cash prizes.

Check it out here: http://www.singaporemarathon.com/Supporters/Supporters%E2%80%99_Programme/Trigger_Happy.aspx

Fancy Dress Carnival

This is the time to go wild! Come in your most outrageous, most fun and comical outfit you can think of. This will be the only day – besides Halloween – when you can come dressed in something insane and get away with it!

Check it out here: http://www.singaporemarathon.com/Supporters/Supporters%E2%80%99_Programme/Fancy_Dress_Carnival.aspx


Your spirit, our inspiration