Race Media

Early finish at MSIG Singapore Action Asia 50 due to safety concerns
Thunderstorm-shortened race made extra challenging by slippery conditions

 

Singapore, Saturday, July 15, 2017 – It was not long after the 50km, 21km and 10km different starts and runners had ventured out to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, the weather deteriorated very fast and the race organizer had to make a very fast safety call and shortened the 50km category to 21km due to thunderstorms.  

The 50-kilometre category of MSIG Singapore Action Asia 50 trail running was shortened to 21km as with a shortened 10k course to close to 9km for safety reasons due to thunderstorms. Slippery conditions did little to slow the winning pair, as Mutai clocked 1 hour 56 minutes and Serem 2:05:42 to grab the men’s and women’s champion titles respectively and lead a Kenyan sweep of the podium.

More than 1,300 trail runners took on the challenging race, which also included 21km and 10km events in addition to the 50km. Guest-of-honour Mr. Baey Yam Keng, Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC, flagged off the 10km race.

A pack of Kenyan runners led the 50km category (shortened course) right from the gun, running shoulder to shoulder all the way. Only one second separated each man on the podium. For Mutai, he was pleased with his first participation in an MSIG race. “The race was nice and the trail was good. The crossroads were so muddy, and the trail was a bit slippery. Despite the weather, I think in general this is a good race. Although it's sad that the organiser has to stop the race, I know it's for our own safety and protection."

Justus Kipruto Biwott was second (1:56:01). He said: “The race was good, but it is also challenging. Along the forest, it was slippery, but in general, it was a good race.”

In third place was Benson Karuiki Waruguru (1:56:02). “I was feeling good except that it is a pity we were stopped during the race due to the severe weather. I really hope that next time, the weather could be better. I like Singapore a lot, this is the second time I've been here. Singapore is clean and quiet and I also like the people here," he said.

The women’s podium was also only separated by a second. Behind champion Serem was Corcus Jebotip Tarus in second (2:05:43) and Viola Jepchirchir Kimeli in third (2:05:43).

It was Serem’s first time in Singapore. She said: “I'm feeling good but not so good at the same time. We were stopped by the rain, which is bad, but the race and trail itself is very nice. The organisation is very good and I like the spirit of the sport.” Serem added that she was looking forward to joining the race again next year.

Tarus was very excited after the race. “The course design was very smart and runnable,” she said. “As for my favorite part, it’s absolutely the forest. I love running inside of it and that makes me look like a jungle girl. Unfortunately, the rain disrupted the race. I will come back to the race next year if I have a chance.”

Kimeli was participating in the race for the third straight time. She said: “I’m satisfied with my result this year, even though the race was so challenging as it is raining.”

This year’s race featured a new race course, which started and finished at Hindhede Walk in Bukit Timah and covered Singapore’s most beautiful nature trails. The course was about 80% similar to the 2016 version, with a few small changes.

This edition also debuted the National Award Category, which was created to recognise the top local runners in the 50km category.

Singaporean Zijing Lin won one of the Singapore award, clocking 2:13:23. Lin said: “Even though we have to cut short the race due to the weather, I am super happy as it’s a great run with great weather. The rain actually makes the trail more authentic. This is the third time I joined this race and it’s definitely the best trail running race in Singapore!”

The 21km race was won by Kenya’s John Muiruri Mhuru in 1:26:02. He said: "The route is nice for this year because last year we got lost on the route but this year, I am very happy because the route was very nice and clearly marked.”

Rosemary Mumo Katua’s won the women’s 21km in 1:43:11. “The race was great while there were lots of challenges. As for the course design, the organiser designed the course very well. The flat course was my favorite part,” she said.

Another Kenyan Enock Kipchirchir Kigen claimed the men’s 10km in 34:10. He said: “The race was good and I enjoyed it, despite the rain. It was very challenging as the rain made the terrain a bit slippery. However, the good thing is there was no need for hydration on the way. Probably I will join the race again next year!”

Belgian runner Vanja Chops broke the Kenyan stronghold of the podium, winning the women’s 10km in 41:09. “I love the race and it’s the most fun race of the year. The course was muddy and rainy but I really enjoyed it. I knew it would be fun, because I did it last year.”

The event was possible thanks to the generous support of our presenting sponsor MSIG and supporting partners Action X Store, RunSociety, Outdoor Channel, Run Magazine, Hoka OneOne, Singapore Tourism Board, Royale International, World of Sports, Forward by Norman, Suunto, OtterBox, Thorlos and the Action Asia Foundation.

 

Race Results

2017 MSIG Singapore Action Asia 50

10 km (shortened)

Top 5 Men

Name - Nationality - Team/Sponsor - Time

1. Enock Kipchirchir Kigen - Kenya- 00:34:10

2. Suresh Tilija - Nepal - 34:22

3. Lekha Raj Thapa Magar - Nepal - 35:41

4. Tapendra Bahadur Thapa Magar - Nepal - 35:58

5. Mohammed Rahim - UK - 37:49

 

Top 5 Women        

Name – Nationality – Team/Sponsor – Time

1. Vanja Chops - Belgium - 00:41:09

2. Rebekah Marsh – UK – 00:44:29.7

3. Stella Lee – Singapore – 00:46:24.6

4. Brenda Fong - Singapore - Salomon - 00:47:36.6

5. Morna Holmes - UK – 00:50:08.3

 

21 km

Top 5 Men

Name - Nationality - Team/Sponsor - Time

1. John Muiruri Mburu – Kenya - 01:26:02.1

2. Kipchirchir Lel - Kenya – 01:26:02.6

3. Charles Munyua Njoki - Kenya – 01:26:02.9

4. James Munyi Maregu – Kenya – 01:27:25.5

5. Stephen Chirchir – Kenya – 01:28:17.7

 

Top 5 Women      

Name – Nationality – Team/Sponsor – Time

1. Rosemary Mumo Katua – Kenya – 01:43:11.1

2. Isabella Jemurgor – Kenya – 01:43:11.6

3. Margaret Njuguna – Kenya – 01:48:11.2

4. Jemimah Wayua Musau – Kenya – 01:49:21.1

5. Naomi Wambui Muriuki – Kenya – 01:56:09.3

 

50 km (shortened)

Top 5 Men

Name – Nationality – Team/Sponsor - Time

1. David Mutai - Kenya - 01:56:00

2. Justus Kipruto Biwott – Kenya – 01:56:01

3. Benson Karuiki Waruguru – Kenya – 01:56:02

4. Willy Kipkemoi Rotich – Kenya – 01:56:03

5. Dennis Isika – Kenya – 01:56:05

 

Top 5 Women    

Name – Nationality – Team/Sponsor – Time

1. Valentine Jepkemoi Serem– Kenya – 02:05:42.5

2. Dorcus Jebotip Tarus – Kenya – 02:05:43.4

3. Viola Jepchirchir Kimeli – Kenya – 02:05:43.5

4. Jeri Chua – Singapore – 02:13:16.7

5. Jeanette Wang – Singapore – 02:24:22.8

 

MSIG Singapore Action Asia’s Trail running etiquette and eco tips:

1.              Turn your music down.

2.              Try to reduce use of plastic bottles by using your own hydration system.

3.              Make sure you carry your garbage till you find a bin.

4.              When passing a fellow runner, call out loudly “passing on the left” or “passing on the right”.

 

See this video for trail running etiquette and eco tips:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6paMgjxUpJM&feature=youtu.be

Results

http://www.actionasiaevents.com/results/results-viewer.html?id=3171