SINGAPORE - A Singaporean emerged triumphant at The Straits Times Run in the City on Sunday morning - 37-year-old Jasmine Goh winning the women's 10km in 40min 33sec.
While she was pleased with her win, it ultimately came as a surprise to her.
Said Goh, who walked away with a Panasonic 50-inch 4K Smart TV worth $2,199, Aibi Exercise Game Bike worth $799, Aibi "Reebok" Pro Easy Tone Step worth $399 and New Balance vouchers worth $300: "I was surprised by the announcement as I knew there was a Kenyan lady (who finished) ahead of me.
"As I had given my best shot in today's race, I already felt like I was a winner. To be the champion is a bonus."
The athlete who finished before Goh, Kenyan Margaret Wangui, was disqualified as she was wearing a race bib that did not belong to her.
Finishing way after Goh were fellow Singaporean Sumiko Tan (45:56), while Miyuki Shiina from Japan came in third (48:23).
However, Wangui's fellow Kenyans were a dominant force, sweeping the top honours in the other race categories.
Elija Muturi Karanja won the men's 10km in 31:01, finishing streets ahead of compatriot Bijay Sunuwar (36:09) and local runner Chew Jee Keng (37:40).
Karanja, who runs at East Coast Park when he races in Singapore, said: "The weather today was ideal and it was very nice for runners with the light drizzle."
Though accustomed to running marathons, he revealed that the 10km event was his favourite distance, saying: "It feels like speed work, training and a race at once. It is less tiring for sure."
In the women's 18.45km, Margaret Njuguna took the top place, finishing in 1hr 11min 21sec. Coming in second was Singaporean Rachel See (1:16:33). Following behind them was Canadian Emilie Tan (1:20:39).
Njuguna was satisfied with her second win at an ST Run, having won last year's similar category. She said: "I'm used to the humid weather, so racing in Asia is not too difficult for me."
Taking home the top prize of a Panasonic 55" 4K Smart TV worth $3,199, Aibi Vibro Tread worth $7,980 and New Balance vouchers worth $300 in the men's 18.45km was Stephen Munhathia Nkubitu in 57:49. Behind him were John Lorono, also from Kenya, and Australian Fraser Thompson, who finished seconds apart with timings of 1:02:32 and 1:02:39.
A light-hearted moment was shared on stage when ST deputy editor Sumiko Tan presented the prizes to race winners, including her namesake Sumiko Tan, who finished second in the 10km.
