Singaporeans set to run the Sydney Marathon gathered on Saturday morning for the official Singapore contingent shakeout run a day after collecting their bibs at the race expo
10 degrees? No problem. It was a cold Saturday morning, worlds away from the harsh heat of a Singaporean sunrise but the atmosphere was abuzz anyways.
Singaporean runners took to the streets of Sydney the day before the TCS Sydney Marathon Presented by ASICS for the Singapore contingent's official shakeout run, led by Fast and Free Run Club (FFRC). Runners gathered bright and early at the Archibald Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park for a 5.4km run around the harbour.
The route was kept as a surprise for participants, and what a pleasant one it was. The four pace groups jogged along some of Sydney's most picturesque landmarks. They made their way around the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background, and trotted forward along the famed harbour before concluding their run at the Bourke Street Bakery in Barangaroo.
The excitement for the marathon had evidently swept across the New South Wales capital, as the Singaporean group wasn't the only one taking hitting the streets for a short run around the city. Workers and tourists along the harbour were entertained as they watched group after group of runners jog by, wishing them luck for the big day as they passed.
"I actually got emotional when I saw the Sydney Opera House," said Paul Flores, who's set to cross the finish line at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt tomorrow. "We've already trained for 16 weeks, so I'm really excited for the celebrations tomorrow."
"We ran through where the finish line is going to be tomorrow and it's so beautiful. I can imagine that it's going to be lined with crowds. It's going to be really cool," shared Wei Wen, a runner with FFRC.
The day before, most of the Singapore contingent kicked off their stay in Sydney by collecting their race bibs at the TCS Sydney Marathon Running Show Presented by ASICS at ICC Sydney. With 50 exhibitors, including the likes of nutrition drink brand AG1, it is Australia's biggest running show.
"We were afraid that there was going to be a long queue, but thankfully, we didn't wait too long to collect our bibs," shared Sharon Choo, before her partner, Jonathan Loh added, "it's so well organised so good job to the organisers!"
"We're excited for the ASICS merch and I think there's even a personalisation station so that's pretty cool."
For Sharon, who was injured for the weeks leading up to the Sydney Marathon, finally making it to the Race Expo made it all too real that she was finally set to take on the infamous hills of the marathon.
"I have mixed feelings about Sunday's race as I got injured about two months ago. I didn't experience any pain last week so I'm looking forward to the race. It'll be my first experience at the Sydney Marathon so I'm looking forward to meeting my friends at the finish line."
Runners lined up for their photos to be taken with various backdrops available at the expo, before reaching the ASICS merchandise and main stage. After the main stage, came the exhibition booths.
Aw Sze Yi, part of the Sydney Marathon Coaching Clinic conducted by Elevate Performance Coaching, had been one of ten winners who won a slot in the programme through a giveaway with Sportplus.sg back in May 2024. Now, four months on, she's finally got her hands on her race bib. We caught up with her at the main stage as Singaporean runners streamed in for a group photo.
She was nervous for the start of the coaching programme then. Now, her nerves are still evident as she broke into laughter at the thought of her feelings towards Sunday's race.
"I'm nervous!" she laughed, gesturing toward herself. "Can you tell I'm excited?"
"I don't know if I should say that I'm ready or that i'm not, but I am excited to be here and I hope to finish the race injury free. Let's cross the finish line together!"
The starter's gun is set to fire tomorrow morning in North Sydney's miller street. With the Race Expo and shakeout runs now out of the way, all that's left for the runners is to finally finish what they started.
For more pictures of the shakeout run, visit our gallery here.
Comments