Great Eastern Women's Run will make its return on 29 October this year, as hundreds of women queue from the wee hours of the morning at Raffles Place for a pair of complimentary race slots
PHOTO: HANIDA HUSSEIN, SPORTPLUS.SG
Singapore, 24 May 2023 - Great Eastern Women's Run will make its return in October this year, with the event opening up two additional categories this year to supplement the four from last year. The two additional categories are the 21.1km half marathon, as well as the 100m Princess Dash for three- to six-year-olds.
Registrations were launched today at Raffles Place and hundreds of women were seen queueing ahead of the launch event, with some queueing as early as 6:30am to secure a pair of complimentary race slots. The first 115 women coming decked in any Great Eastern Women's Run T-shirt from a past race received a pair of complimentary race slots of their choice.
Slated to take place on 29 October at the Singapore Sports Hub, the event will also feature an increase in competitive categories with more prize money being set aside to nurture local sporting talent. In addition to the 21.1km elite by-invite-only category, cash prizes will also be awarded to the top three finishers of the 21.1km and 10km local closed categories, with more than $18,000 of prize money to be given out.
Elite runner Vanessa Lee, 2nd runner-up of the 2022 edition of GEWR and a 2023 SEA Games finalist, was enthusiastic about her role in the event and competing in the 21.1km event this year.
PHOTO: HANIDA HUSSEIN, SPORTPLUS.SG
Said Lee: "I'm very excited to see a lot of women coming together and work on their health and fitness, and just come together to support each other in the run. It's very heart warming to see friends encourage each other and attend this event together."
Lee was one of five women who ran on a treadmill at the launch event, alongside Minister of State Low Yen Ling, who kicked off registrations for the run as well as a charity fundraiser, and representatives from Great Eastern, Daughters of Tomorrow, and Singapore Cancer Society.
PHOTO: HANIDA HUSSEIN, SPORTPLUS.SG
The runners were flagged off by Mr Khor, Great Eastern Group CEO, with a display of solidarity fully exemplifying this year's race slogan of "Start Strong, Finish Great."
Fong Han Ying, an avid community runner who managed to claim a pair of complimentary race slots, ran in three of Great Eastern Women Run's 21.1KM Half Marathons prior to this year and was in the queue since 9:30am in the morning.
PHOTO: HANIDA HUSSEIN, SPORTPLUS.SG
"I find that their race is always very well organised, and the routes are nice and scenic. It's a very fun event that celebrates our sisterhood, bringing women together across the different stages of their lives whether they are mothers or daughters, making it very meaningful," shared Fong.
For each kilometre fundraisers clock between today and 30 September, Great Eastern will donate $1 to the beneficiary organisations Daughters Of Tomorrow and Singapore Cancer Society, while all race registrations today will also attract a $5 donation from Great Eastern.
PHOTO: HANIDA HUSSEIN, SPORTPLUS.SG
Apart from the first 115 women who came to the launch event decked in any Great Eastern Women's Run T-shirt from a past race receiving a pair of complimentary race slots, other onsite registrants were also able to sign up at a special launch day promotional rate.
Samsidah, a runner and pacer from popular Singapore running group The Running Department, shared: "Great Eastern Women's Run have always reached out to the loyalty participants who come back every year. We are all still standing here because of the vibes. We hope that this year it will be a huge turnout and bring back the pre-Covid years."
PHOTO: HANIDA HUSSEIN, SPORTPLUS.SG
Singapore's only all-women's run has been organised by the insurer Great Eastern since 2006. The race was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19-related social restrictions. In 2021, the run was held virtually, with the exception of a smaller physical event for elite runners. Last year, the run resumed in a reduced physical format at the Sports Hub, with 4,000 runners taking part.
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