Shape Run 09

8,000 runners packed Millenia Walk for Singapore's favourite women-only run

Singapore, 19 July 2009 - Shape Run 2009 kicked off successfully early this morning at 7.30am. Guest-of-Honour Ms Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State for National Development and Education, flagged off Shape Run - a 5km and 10km challenge. She also joined the 5km run after the flag off.

It was Shape Singapore's fourth run. Shape magazine, the complete mind & body guide for women, pioneered the first all-women race in 2006, sparking off a trend of women-only running events. This year, it continues its aim to encourage more women to include sports, particularly running, as part of their healthy active lifestyle.

The route started at Raffles Boulevard and took runners down Republic Avenue, before turning into Temasek Avenue where it ended. As always, Shape Run 2009 was an enormous hit with women running enthusiasts. All of its 8,000 spaces were snapped up within 42 hours of registration opening on 25 April 2009. More than 39 per cent of the runners competed in the 10km category this year, while 61 per cent took up the 5km challenge. The 5km Corporate category attracted 101 teams of three to five members per team, more than double the number of teams last year.

Participants ended their run at Millenia Walk where they were treated to exciting stage performances, sports massages, drinks and refreshments, as well as opportunities to sample various merchandise.

The 10km category winner is Vivian Tang Yoke Pin, 38, who clocked in 38 minutes: 06 seconds. She won a cash prize of $1,000 and over $13,000 worth of products. Chua Khai Leng, 18, won the 5km race with a time of 21 minutes: 22 seconds. She received $500 cash and $8,000 worth of products. The winning Corporate team is JPMCB which consists of Koh Boon Hui, Audrey Soh and Jenny Lem. They walked away with $1,000 cash and $18,900 worth of products. Like last year, the winners of the individual 5km and 10km categories will also be sponsored to run in Shape Malaysia on July 25, 2009, and Shape Thailand on November 21, 2009.

Shape Run 2009 is organised by Shape Singapore, SPH Magazines Pte Ltd and presented by Subaru. The event's co-presenter is Nike Run and is supported by the Singapore Sports Council. Official partners are AIBI, Biore, California Raisins, CITISPA, Dr Joint Pain, Equal, H-Two-O, Kao, Kellogg's, Marigold Yoghurt, Parkway Health, Polar, Vitagen Collagen and True Fitness. Its partners in sports are Singapore Pools and Singapore Totalisator Board.