SAFRA Singapore Bay Run & Army Half Marathon 2010

Back for the 19th year, the SAFRA Singapore Bay Run & Army Half Marathon (SSBR & AHM) 2010 marked another first on the 12th September as 70,000 runners streamed through the latest developments along the Marina Bay area in Singapore’s largest mass running event.   21km AHM & 10km Race – First To Run Past Marina Bay Sands   With an exciting twist to the running routes this year, participants of the 21km AHM and 10km Race became the first to run past the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort along Bayfront Avenue.   Participants were well entertained and spurred on by a host of street-side festivities along the running routes at 16 different locations. Static festivities included stilt-walkers, fire twirlers, belly dancers and invigorating drumming performances, while Mobile Cheer Teams patrolled the running routes alongside runners on vehicles for the very first time to add to the carnival atmosphere.   Many also jumped up to hit the Giant High Five Palms suspended from three overhead bridges along the 21km AHM route at Nicoll Highway and Mountbatten Road to inject some fun into the run.   5km Fun Run – First To Run Along The Helix Bridge   After flagging off the non-competitive 5km Fun Run at 8am, Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, who graced the event as Guest-of-Honour, also joined participants for the scenic run around the Marina Bay. Participants were treated to unbeatable sights of the Marina Bay area as they became one of the first to run along the world’s first curved double helix bridge and the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade.   Better Welfare For Runners   Runners' welfare was well taken care of once again this year. Many stopped over at the six Salonpas Aid Stations conveniently co-located with the water points along the running routes to get a spray of Air Salonpas to relieve their tired and aching muscles during the run. Others enjoyed a good rubdown after the run at the Padang with Salonpas muscle relief products.   Jointly organised by SAFRA and Our Army, the SSBR & AHM aims to promote fitness and bonding among full-time National Servicemen, NSmen as well as the public. Since the event's name was changed from Sheares Bridge Run to SAFRA Singapore Bay Run & Army Half Marathon in 2007, the running routes have become closely linked with the development of the Marina Bay area. In 2007, the then brand new Floating Stadium was the end point for the event. In 2008, the run took participants past the newly opened Marina Bay Golf Course, and they also became the first to run across the Marina Barrage. Last year, participants continued to run past the F1 paddock area.   Brigadier General (BG) Lim Teck Yin, Vice President of SAFRA and Chairman of the Organising Committee for SSBR & AHM 2010, commented: "The SSBR and AHM is a unique opportunity where our NSFs and NSmen, as well as their families, can come together for a mass run annually. This not only underscores SAFRA and the Army's emphasis on maintaining a fit and cohesive defence force, but also the importance of families in the lives of our servicemen."