Athletics: Sign up early to get discounts for Great Eastern Women's Run 2018

Undergraduate Liang Jun Yu enjoyed a special sign-up fee of $11 for any race category and received a goodie bag of Reebok apparel worth over $100. PHOTO: GREAT EASTERN WOMEN'S RUN

SINGAPORE - She had been queuing since 6am, but the five-hour wait outside Great Eastern Centre on Pickering Street was well worth it for undergraduate Liang Jun Yu.

The 23-year-old, who was first in line at the Great Eastern Women's Run 2018 (GEWR) registration launch on Thursday (May 31), enjoyed a special sign-up fee of $11 for any race category and received a goodie bag of Reebok apparel worth over $100.

These exclusive offerings were available to the first 110 registrants, in celebration of Great Eastern's 110th anniversary. The 111th to 2,000th in line will enjoy roadshow prices up to $7 off early-bird rates and a goodie bag worth over $50.

Close to 1,000 runners secured their race slots on Thursday, but there is still time to enjoy the discounts as the registration launch continues on Friday from 11am to 7pm.

Liang, who signed up for her first half-marathon (21.1km), said: "These running events are always quite expensive. When I heard of the $11 deal, I thought it was worth queuing because I really get to save quite a bit."

The roadshow rate for the half-marathon is $56. Early bird and normal rates are $63 and $78 respectively. The other race categories are 5km, 10km, 2km (for mothers and their daughters aged 7-12) and a new 110m sprint event.

Housewife Lynn Ooi, who was also among the first 110 registrants, is looking forward to the new route.

For the first time, participants will be flagged off at Nicoll Highway and will cross the finish line at the National Stadium.

Last year's race culminated at the Marina Bay Floating Platform.

"This is my third time doing the GEWR half-marathon so it's great to have a change of scenery this year," said the 44-year-old Ooi.

"I really like that it's a women-only run, I find that it's less competitive."

For teacher Dorcas Tan, 42, the event is a good mother-daughter bonding opportunity. She will be participating in the 2km race with her 11-year-old daughter for the second time.

"Both of us enjoy running, we are very sporty people," said Tan.

"Last year's run coincided with my daughter's birthday and it was a fun experience, I even brought along birthday balloons."

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