Great Eastern Women’s Run kick-off first ever month-long virtual run, with close to 4,500 participants taking part
PHOTO: GREAT EASTERN WOMEN'S RUN
14 November 2021, Singpore - Rachel See has won the Great Eastern Women's Run's (GEWR) competitive half marathon segment this morning at the Singapore Sports Hub, clocking a time of 1:23:14. Hu Xiuying took second place with a timing of 1:27:28, while Vanessa Chong came in third at 1:30:43.
In conjunction with the 15th edition of GEWR, Singapore welcomed the return of the competitive half-marathon segment this morning. The well-anticipated race saw 15 invited local elite runners competing ‘live’ in the first all-women physical race in Singapore in two years, and the longest competitive road running race organised this year.
PHOTO: GREAT EASTERN WOMEN'S RUN
The elite runners were flagged off at 5.30am at Stadium Riverside Walk by Colin Chan, Managing Director of Group Marketing, and Keith Chia, Head of Group Brand and Marketing, Great Eastern, while Guest-of-Honour Ms Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Ministry of Trade & Industry, and Khor Hock Seng, Group Chief Executive Officer of Great Eastern presented the trophies and cash prizes to the top three Elite winners.
PHOTO: GREAT EASTERN WOMEN'S RUN
This morning's run also marked the commencement of a month long virtual GEWR event for members of public, the first time in history the run has been done virtually for the event, with close to 4,500 participants taking part across various running categories.
Having Fun with Friends
Winner of this morning's competitive half marathon Rachel See, 39, said: “It was a very good run, because we haven’t run for so long. It’s been almost two years and we didn’t really know what speed to go at or what to expect, it was just about coming here to have fun with the other ladies because we’re all friends."
PHOTO: GREAT EASTERN WOMEN'S RUN
See added: "The route is very simple. The path was very clear, there was completely no blockage, and the race lead cyclist was good – he was helping me navigate and would point out the water points to me."
The 15 local elite runners, together with Great Eastern staff and financial representatives, also led a fund-raising initiative, to mark the return of GEWR after the cancellation of the race last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
PHOTO: GREAT EASTERN WOMEN'S RUN
As part of the fundraiser, donated monies will go towards the two selected beneficiaries of GEWR – Breast Cancer Foundation (BCF) and Daughters Of Tomorrow (DOT).
More than SGD $101,000 has been raised for women with breast cancer and to help underprivileged women in society lead a better life from the initiative thus far.
PHOTO: GREAT EASTERN WOMEN'S RUN
Colin Chan, Managing Director, Group Marketing, Great Eastern, said: “Great Eastern has always been an avid supporter of local athletes and the Singapore sporting scene. We are very pleased to be able to bring the Great Eastern Women’s Run back in a hybrid manner this year – a virtual edition for the public and the first physical competition for the top female runners.
PHOTO: GREAT EASTERN WOMEN'S RUN
"It is vital that we continuously adapt and not allow the pandemic to deter us from living life to the fullest. I trust that this year’s edition gives us all the boost and confidence in the right direction".
"We also thank our elite runners, Great Eastern staff and financial representatives, who activated their networks to raise funds for our beneficiaries," added Mr Chan.
PHOTO: GREAT EASTERN WOMEN'S RUN