Record 10,000 women at run

Wearing the lime-green Nike Shape Run t-shirt, the women were flagged off at 7am for the 10km category, and at 7.30am for the 5km category, by Mr Teo Ser Luck, Minister of Community Development, Youth and Sports & Ministry of Transport. -- PHOTO: SPH MAGAZINES

A RECORD 10,000 women turned up for this year's Shape Run, taking part in both the 5km and 10km races.

Wearing the lime-green Nike Shape Run t-shirt, the women were flagged off at 7am for the 10km category, and at 7.30am for the 5km category, by Mr Teo Ser Luck, Minister of Community Development, Youth and Sports & Ministry of Transport, the guest of honour.

Completing the 10km event in 39 min 57 seconds, Vivian Tang, 39, defended her title successfully. The three-time Singapore Marathon champion, won $1,000 in cash and other prizes. 'The Shape Run is one of my key races of the year. I like the new route this year, because it didn't clash with the 5km category,' she said. 'I'm happy to have won again.'

Second place went to Raffles Institution (Junior College) student Mok Ying Rong, 16, who finished her first Shape Run in 40 min 42 seconds. 'I felt very slow today, with very heavy legs. I was targeting to break 40 minutes,' she said.

The majority of the field run the 5km route, with 44 per cent taking on the 10km. Elaine Lim, 28, won the 5km with 19 min 37 seconds, receiving $500 and other prizes. Yvonne Lin, 19, came second in 19 min 49 seconds. The winning Corporate team came from TRF.

'It's a great family affair. At the Shape Run, family members can come support their mom, their sister, their girlfriends,' said Mr Teo. He and his two children were there to cheer on his wife in the 5km event. 'The women came, ran and conquered - be it their competition or their personal limitations. Each and every participant of Shape Run 2010 should give themselves a huge pat on their backs for their effort,' said Jeanette Wang, Associate Editor, Shape.