Race Media

International runners sweep MSIG Singapore Action Asia

Singapore, 16 July 2016 – After 3 days of heavy lightning and thunderstorms the sun-gods came out and blessed the international trail running community of Singapore with one of the most fast paced ultra-marathons of the year Saturday morning, with over 1300 registered runners from over 21 countries competing in The 2^nd annual MSIG Singapore Action Asia 50 ultra-marathon, an event covering 10km, 21km and 50km, mostly off road with a mixture of grass track, trail & road.

Kenyan Haron Kiprugut Bor won the Men’s division of the 50k race, finishing in 4 hours 18 minutes 33 seconds with a 4th in the 2015 MSIG Singapore Action Asia 50 race and a 2^nd in the MSIG Hong Kong AA50. “The race was like an adventure as not easy when dark at 5:30am with the most challenging part I think the second half of the race, where I was already tired from facing the challenges on the trail. Compared to last years MSIG race, there is no big difference, but I like the race this year more because the course last year was too difficult with large exposed sections on the 2^nd half making you suffer, but a nice change with more sheltered shade this year in the 2^nd half in the hot sun. I would definitely like to come to the race next year as across Asia I would say Action Asia is one of the best in organizing challenging trail events that make you suffer” said Bor with the lucky number 1 race number which can true getting first place this year in his category. He was very happy for getting this a lucky number.

Ahmad Lamchannak from Morocco was second place in the men’s overall 50km completing the race using only 4 hours 39 minutes and 29 seconds. He said, “I am feeling happy. The course was very challenging. It is not the first time for me to attend this race, but this is the fastest time I have run. As for the race, I think it was really good because it is organized well and I love the up and down. Running in the dark is the most challenging part. But while we were around the reservoir, I thought it is very beautiful.”

In 4 hours 46 minutes and 43 seconds, the local Singapore runner Ahsiao Runsforspring won 3rd price overall in the 50k men category and as a bonus won the national award and received a bonus of 300 SGD on top of SGD 750 from getting 3^rd for a total of SGD SGD1050 which wasn’t bad for a day’s work in the national park. Working in Singapore for 7 years, this is his first time racing MSIG Singapore and it is out of his expectation to have won 3rd place. “I feel very good about the race and it’s very challenging and nice. I have lots of good friends running with me. I think the route is very challenging,” Ahsiao Runsforspring continued, “it is more important for me to run and learn from the race rather than to win money. I attend this race for public welfare and run for those leukemia patients, hoping that I can help others with my effort.” Referring to the race, he said, “the race is well-organized while MSIG is the best insurance company in the world. I will recommend more friends to attend the race next time.”

Kenyan Susan Jemutai Kosgei was the Women’s champion for the 50k category in a time 4 hours 18 minutes and 41 seconds. She was very happy after the race and has enjoyed the race a lot. Since the 50K race starts at 5:30am, the sun has not come out yet. “In the beginning the route is too dark for us to see, it is very challenging but good, I like it very much,” said Kosgai. She also mentioned that uphill is her favorite part because it helps build up the muscles. “I enjoy the race, love the scenery very much. I will definitely come for next year’s race.”

Only after a few minutes, Rebecca Nakuwa also coming from Kenya finished the race in 4 hours 30 minutes 2 seconds, winning the second place overall female 50k awards. Rebecca Nakuwa really enjoyed the race and said, “This is my second time to join in this MSIG Singapore Action Asia 50 and I like the slight changes in the course that made the race this year more challenging. I will definitely come back to this race next year because I want to win my cousin Susan.”

In third sweeping the top of the podium in the 50km race came Kenyan runner Viola Jepchirchir Kimeli in 4 hours 45 minutes 39 seconds. Kimeli was still studying in Thailand majoring in Business management. This was her first 50k race and she was really satisfied with her performance. “The race was quite tough. In the early morning it was very dark. I ran with my friend to show me the way and enjoy running in the jungle as surprised the race oganizers could find these trails in Singapore as even the locals told me they don’t know these trails. It’s cool there. I can see the beautiful scenery and forest. On the way I met many people hiking. I like that kind of feeling. I am proud of my performance. I am sure I will come next year to the MSIG Singapore Action Asia race.”

The Women’s Singapore national 50k award went to runner Lynn Woo with a result of 6 hours 11 minutes 46 seconds. She was satisfied with her performance. Woo joked that, “Maybe it was only because the faster runners didn’t compete in this race that she could grabbed this honorable award. I will celebrate with my friends at dinner tonight.” Even though Woo has already joined in many 50k races before, it was her first time to run such course today. She said, “The course was quite challenging today since there were many U-turns.”

Stuart Haynes grabbed the first place of 21km category finishing the race in 1 hour 37 minutes and 45 seconds. Originally from England, he has lived in Singapore for six and a half years and will move to America next month. He said, “I did the 50k last year, but I am not fit enough this year, so I just did the 21k and it’s great and a bonus that I won.” He also mentioned that the short downhills were his favorite part and the most challenging one was the Rifle ridge, where there was more uphill, some of which were really steep and challenging on the legs after running at such a high intensity. “I’d neither run nor walk through this part. If I walk, I will get too slow. It was struggling,” said Stuart. Regarding the views of the course, he praised that, “I love the scenery, especially when the sun comes up. It was beautiful and a great way to start the day with the MSIG Singapore Action Asia event.”

Kenyan runner Hannah Wabera Gathingi got the champions title on 21k women category in 1 hour 46 minutes 12 seconds. She said, “I am feeling better now, because the course was very tough. I think the most challenging part is the hills, especially the up hills. Water is another difficult part. There was a lot of water, so the trail course is too wet for me. Fortunately, I did not fall down. Using a lot of energy made me feel tired. When I was running, I did not mark the scenery, but I still feel it was beautiful.” Hannah always flies all the way from Kenya and is willing to attend the competition in MSIG Singapore next year.

Nepalese Bijay Sunuwar crossed the finish line in 44 minutes and 59 seconds and grabbed the title of Men’s Champion for the 10k category. “The race is very good and runnable with difficult hills and easy flat road tracks with great grass rolling hills. I have tried 10km, 21km as well as 50km before. I like the design of the whole course, including uphills, downhills and roads. While jogging in between the hills, there are a lots of uphill’s and downhills which are quite challenging; however, the road part is very easy for running enthusiast,” said Sunuwar. 

United Kingdom runner Anna Helowicz from Team Singapore Shufflers was the first female runner to cross the finishing line in the 10k category with an excellent result of 50 minutes 58 seconds. She has lived in Singapore for 11 years. “Today’s race is a good experience for me. I thought everything about the race is brilliant. The 10k course was a bit challenging but well-designed. I love the downhill part and the ribbons being hung down as kind of guides on the course. I really enjoy everything today,” said Women’s 10k champion.

Michael Maddess, Director of Action Asia Events commented: “The Singapore edition of the MSIG Action Asia 50 series took off to a really great start on this slightly changed course and extremely grateful to NParks for allowing us to use some of Singapore’s most beautiful green areas in making the MSIG event a success. This really helped us to give our runners a great race route.”

To help preserve the historical route, the MSIG Singapore Action Asia 50 operated a strict No Cup Policy as event organisers encouraged participants to bring their own refillable hydration packs and to try minimise waste. The organisers also clamped down with race regulations where runners would be disqualified if they are found to have thrown rubbish on the track. These measures helped to save over 6,000 paper cups and thousands of plastic bottles that could end up in the landfill sites.

Race Results

MSIG Singapore AA 50 – Singapore

10 K

Top 5 Men

Name - Nationality - Team/Sponsor - Time

1. Bijay Sunuwar - Nepal - 44:59

2. Lexxus Tan Swee Tiong - Singapore - 45:01

3. Loh Yuan Yi- Singapore - 48:35

4. Tom Rune Brendhaug - Norway - 51:29

5. Sivakumar Subramaniam - Singapore – 53:05

Top 5 Women

Name – Nationality – Team/Sponsor – Time

1. Anna Helowicz - UK- Singapore Shufflers- 50:58

2. Kellyn Tan – Malaysia – 52:09

3. Stella Lee – Singapore – 56:40

4. Brenda Fong - Singapore - Salomon - 57:22

5. Mary Loehr -USA – 01:01:29

21 K

Top 5 Men

Name - Nationality - Team/Sponsor - Time

1. Stuart Haynes - UK – 01:37:45

2. Brian Angwin - UK – 01:41:20

3. Richard Thomas - Singapore – 01:47:59

4. Prasant Kannoth – India– 01:48:29

5. Dave Barr – Australia – 01:51:25

Top 5 Women

Name – Nationality – Team/Sponsor – Time

1. Hannah Wabera Gathingi – Kenya – 01:46:12

2. Susan Jemvtal Chepkwon – Kenya – 01:47:16

3. Cecilia Warutumo – Kenya – 01:50:02

4. Jasmine Goh – Singapore – 01:50:14

5. Heidi Makinen – Finland – 01:53:04

50 K

Top 5 Men

Name – Nationality – Team/Sponsor - Time

1. Haron Kiprugut Bor- Kenya - 04:18:33

2. Ahmad Lamchannak– Morocco– 04:39:29

3. Ahsiao Runsforspring– Singapore – 04:46:43

4. Alex Koh– Singapore – 04:49:07

5. Fabien Billaud– France –04:53:31

Top 5 Women

Name – Nationality – Team/Sponsor – Time

1. Susan Jemutai Kosgei – Kenya – 04:18:41

2. Rebecca Nakuwa – Kenya – 04:30:02

3. Viola Jepchirchir Kimeli – Kenya – 04:45:39

4. Marie McNaughton – New Zealand – 05:02:39

5. Jinko Takeshige – Japan – 06:04:40

Race Info

Event Name	MSIG Singapore AA 50 - Singapore
Date	July 16, 2016 (Saturday)
Start Time	5:30 a.m - 50km, 6:30 am - 21km, 7:00 am - 10km
Start &Finish Location	Singapore - Chestnut Nature Park, Chestnut Ave
Distance	10km, 21km, 50km
Category	Trail Running - mostly off road - 10km / 21km and 50km mixture grass track, trail & road

 

Results uploaded for category results and full coming.

http://www.actionasiaevents.com/results/

 

photo credit Ming Ham and Koh Seng