Three sisters took a big step yesterday to pay tribute to their father who had inspired them to stay fit through running.
Ms Zarinahar Abdul Razack, 50, and her sisters Jamela, 51, and Laila, 54, had stopped running after the death of their father two years ago diluted their motivation.
But they picked it up again a year ago and made a milestone yesterday when they took part in the 5km category in the ST Run at the Hub.
"He influenced us to start running and, if he was around now, he would definitely be here to take part," said Ms Laila, an administration assistant in a school.
Other runners linked their participation to a celebration of family ties through a shared activity.
Ms Lissy Ukken, 48, and Mr Joseph Low, 49, laced up running shoes to tackle the 10km route to commemorate their 25th wedding anniversary. "This will be a celebratory run for us," said Ms Ukken, an executive assistant. "The scenery is amazing and we get to go past so many historical parts of Singapore."
Ms Han Xiao, 24, and Mr Wu Zibin, 24, also wanted a Sunday to remember as a newly-wed couple.
"We just got married (in August) so we are participating in this event (10km) as a couple and I'm looking forward to the challenge," said Ms Han, who is studying project and facilities management at the National University of Singapore.
Ms Chiang Kar Ling, 38, signed up her family for the 5km race so that the occasion could strengthen their bonds. "We don't have time to do many activities as a family as my child has to go for tuition, and my husband has to work," said the sourcing manager, who has an eight-year-old daughter.
Koh Tze Xuan, 16, a student in Edgefield Secondary School, noted that the ST Run helps boost family relationships as "you are able to motivate and encourage each other so it facilitates family bonding".
She attempted the 5km route with her parents and brother.
Other runners were hoping to inspire the younger generation to lead healthier lifestyles instead of being couch potatoes.
Mr Lau Kheng Kee, 78, said he runs about 5km daily and hopes to go even further with training.
Civil servant Sarjeet Singh, 60, who was also in the 5km run, wanted to show the world that age is nothing but a number.
"The message I want to send to people is that despite being 60 years old, I am able to wake up and run in the morning, so young people should be able to do the same."
ST Run draws over 20,000 participants. http://str.sg/ Z2cK
