{"id":75475,"date":"2026-08-10T20:22:12","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T12:22:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=75475"},"modified":"2026-08-10T20:22:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T12:22:12","slug":"61km-run-for-ndp-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=75475","title":{"rendered":"61km run for NDP 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">SINGAPORE \u2013 <!-- -->Hoping to create new memories with her son, <!-- -->61-year-old Ho Yin Yin<!-- --> opted for an unconventional way to celebrate National Day \u2013 sweating it out on a <!-- -->61km<!-- --> run.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The mother of <!-- -->two<!-- -->, who works in<!-- --> finance in the life sciences industry<!-- -->, was among <!-- -->195 runners from 10 countries<!-- --> who signed up for the<!-- --> UTSG 61 Merlion Head Strava Art<!-- --> run, which outlined the distinctive Lion Head national symbol.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Organised by<!-- --> Mountain Goat Running Group<!-- -->, the run started near<!-- --> <!-- -->Lentor MRT station at 10pm on Aug 8<!-- -->, and ended at <!-- -->Bright Hill MRT station on the morning of Aug 9<!-- -->.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">This is the <!-- -->second<!-- --> year the group had organised the event, said<!-- --> Ament Chia<!-- -->, who was one of the lead runners. Its first iteration originated as a celebration for <!-- -->SG60 in 2025, and drew 100 participants<!-- -->.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cThe Merlion symbolises strength, courage, and excellence, which aligns with the values of our trail running group,\u201d said Chia.<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"responsive-iframe-base none\" title=\"dynamic_iframe_wrapper\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/cEF6A\/3\/\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer;undefinedclipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;\" loading=\"lazy\" data-testid=\"responsiveIframe\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">This year, the group charged a participation fee of between <!-- -->$20 and $65<!-- --> for the non-profit event, mostly to recover operational costs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Of the <!-- -->195 runners \u2013 aged between 21 and 69<!-- --> \u2013<!-- --> <!-- -->about<!-- --> <!-- -->65 per cent, or 126 runners<!-- -->, were Singaporean.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The oldest among the runners in 2026 was<!-- --> Wong Sek Fong, who turns 70 in November.<!-- --> This was the second time he participated in the run.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Having discovered the 2025 edition online only on the day it was slated to begin, the retiree \u2013 a former <!-- -->fabrication worker in Hong Kong<!-- --> \u2013 joined at the eleventh hour, leaving him feeling rushed and unprepared. Since then, he had been eyeing the 2026 iteration.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Wong started running marathons when he was<!-- --> about 50 years old<!-- -->, and later began branching out into trail running.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">He has completed nearly 7<!-- -->0 marathons, about 20 100km runs<!-- -->, and other races of varying distances, he told The Straits Times on <!-- -->Aug 7.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">He keeps fit by walking <!-- -->two to three hours in the morning half the week<!-- -->, sometimes with a little jogging.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cNow I participate in races mainly for fun, with a group of like-minded friends to run or hike, and travel to interesting places we\u2019ve never been before,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">For Ho, the run was a novel experience.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Though she has participated in running events together with her son for a decade, this was her first time joining one specifically to celebrate National Day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The avid runner, who recorded her longest distance of <!-- -->100km in 2019<!-- -->, told ST on <!-- -->Aug 7<!-- --> that she found it \u201cmeaningful to complete a route that represents our country, especially during the National Day weekend\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cFor me, exercise has given me more than physical fitness,\u201d she said; outdoor activities have also widened her social circle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cI hope this experience will remind me to continue enjoying what I love while I am still able to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The 61km run marked a new personal milestone for her son, <!-- -->Daryl Pui, 30<!-- --> \u2013 it is his longest run to date.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"portrait inline-media-wrapper\" style=\"--aspect-article-portrait:1140 \/ 1520\" data-testid=\"inline-media-test-id\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-start relative w-fit\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/7f8f401cf0475cd594b82b0455997f4bcdeac84a725d7f76cd3a8d3e0b1ff1ce?w=480\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 720px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/7f8f401cf0475cd594b82b0455997f4bcdeac84a725d7f76cd3a8d3e0b1ff1ce?w=720\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 721px and max-width: 3999px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/7f8f401cf0475cd594b82b0455997f4bcdeac84a725d7f76cd3a8d3e0b1ff1ce?w=900\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 4000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/7f8f401cf0475cd594b82b0455997f4bcdeac84a725d7f76cd3a8d3e0b1ff1ce\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/7f8f401cf0475cd594b82b0455997f4bcdeac84a725d7f76cd3a8d3e0b1ff1ce\" alt=\"Ho Yin Yin has been participating in running events together with her son, Daryl Pui, since 2016.\" class=\"aspect-portrait flex items-start shrink-0 portrait article-portrait object-contain mobile:w-auto tablet:w-auto\" data-testid=\"image-test-id\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"mobile:mx-16 tablet:mx-00 pt-08 pb-16\">\n<p class=\"inline text-secondary font-secondary-captions-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"inline-media-caption-test-id\">Ho Yin Yin has been participating in running events together with her son, Daryl Pui, since 2016.<\/p>\n<p class=\"inline text-tertiary font-secondary-captions-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"inline-media-credit-test-id\"> <!-- -->PHOTO: HO YIN YIN<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">He started running more earnestly in<!-- --> 2023<!-- -->, and ventured more into trail running in 2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">With the help of his mother, he has been introduced to more long-distance running events, with tougher terrains, he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Pui, who works as a <!-- -->financial consultant,<!-- --> calls her as a \u201cgood role model\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cSeeing her remain active over the years has definitely influenced the way I look at exercise,\u201d he said, adding that he hopes more people will be encouraged to exercise with their parents \u2013 an activity he believes can be meaningful, no matter small it is.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">On the run commemorating National Day, he said: \u201cI\u2019m really proud of my mum for completing the 61km safely. It was a tough run, but I\u2019m happy we got to finish it together and create another special memory.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Franz Classnitz, 37<!-- -->, was among three Germans who signed up for the run.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The R&amp;D programme manager learnt about the event through the local running community, which he has been a part of since 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">He moved to Singapore in <!-- -->2021, and<!-- --> <!-- -->picked up running in 2024<!-- -->, after a health check produced suboptimal results.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cI joined because it\u2019s a unique way to celebrate Singapore\u2019s birthday \u2013 combining endurance with national pride,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Usually, he celebrates the occasion by watching the parade and fireworks with friends.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">This year, he opted for a challenge.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cIt\u2019s both a personal milestone and a way to honour the country I now call home,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cIt was a great experience, with a great team and great people. I\u2019m proud and grateful to have been part of it. Happy birthday, Singapore!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<center><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/running-group-completes-61km-run-tracing-merlion-head-to-mark-sg61\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><br \/>\n<center\/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SINGAPORE \u2013 Hoping to create new memories with her son, 61-year-old Ho Yin Yin opted for an unconventional way to celebrate National Day \u2013 sweating&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":75476,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2611],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-75475","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buzz-headlines","wpcat-2611-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75475","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=75475"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75475\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/75476"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=75475"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=75475"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=75475"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}