Sundown Marathon 2009 - Mission Accomplished!

FatBird Sundown Support FR filed by FatBird Anthony
Contributing Photos by Mashie Samantha, IronmanDreamer, Renohtaram, FatBirds DO & Jancy

Team FatBird Sundown Runners and Support Crew

We did something special this time. I was part of the Team FatBird Support Crew for this year's Sundown Marathon. Team FatBird (TFB) had a number of runners (FatBirds Terry, YN, Spencer, Keonz, Charmane, Beverly) and many of our NightHawk trainees participate in the 10km 42km and 84km races. While the runners were tapering and making final preparations for the big race, the Support Crew swung into action to assemble the team of volunteers to crank out the support plan to provide refreshments and motivation to the runners from the 27km mark of Bedok Town Park Shed and the 32km Mobil/Shell station after Tampines Ave 9.

The Roving TFB Media Crew

With the creative minds of Terry, YN and the EDM team, we even had nice 'I Love Running...' tops to wear for the occasion. Many of the runners loved the Tee and have been asking about them....but that is a topic for another day...haha. DO, Max and Jane went down to the start point at Changi Point 6pm to collect the needs bags and wave off the 84km Ultra-Marathoners. The weather was warm and humid...it rained at various parts of Singapore, but stopped shortly. At about 8.30pm, the Bedok Town Park support crew arrived, and by 9.30pm, gave their first reports of runners that have passed....the first 84km runner passed that 27km in 2hrs....wow! Henry/RoadRunner3 reached in a fast 2.5hrs.

Team FatBird Night Hawk 10km Finishers

By the time I reached start point at 9.30pm, there was a heavy human jam. The 10km runners were just finishing their runs (started at 8pm), and were choking the bridge that led to Changi Point. We bumped into phoenix and the NightHawk 10km runners of Rose, Careen, Irene and the gang. While queuing for free yoghurt, the gals were excitedly sharing their first night run experience and how they conquered the distance in good form and timings. Before meeting the 42km runners for group photos, we went to welcome back Ultra-Marathoners finishing their first lap....met so many familiar faces.....cheered all of them. Chun, Henry and a few of the NightHawkers did a fast sub-4hr 1st 42km...wah!

Confident FatBirds @ Sundown Start

At 11pm, there was a hive of activity, with everyone full of excitement. Lots of group and team photos taken with the Team FatBird Sundown posters....nice! Before we knew it, it was time for the 42km runners to assemble for the midnight start of the Sundown Marathon. For a change, I was outside of the start pens waving at and taking pics of the runners. We spotted many familiar faces....gave them the thumbs-up and words of encouragement. The horn sounded at midnight, and it took a full 5-8min for all the runners to run through....there were so many of them.....a record turnout.

Team FatBird Support @ Bedok Town Park

Team FatBird Support @ Tampines Park Connector

FatBird DO and I proceeded to get ice before meeting the FatBirds at Bedok Town Park. FatBirds Jancy and Beng have been giving status reports of their location. We reached that TFB main support location at 1am, transferred some supplies to Beng's car, and then married up with Esther and her team. Beng, Jancy, Suan and Li Lian moved on to the next TFB Support Point at the Tampines PCN.

It was 'happening' at the Bedok Town Park with the SAFRA MF gang, HDB supporters and TFB supporters congregating. Soon, we spotted Benny Goh running at high speed....wow, he was in second position at that time of the Ultra 84km, and with the final 15km, was on target for a 7h+ finish....excellent. The TFB crew briefed me that the first person was tiring, and that Benny had a good chance to overtake. At 1.33am, the first 42km runner passed the location....that was a sub-3hr pace.....damn fast. He looked Middle-Eastern, doesn't look local Singaporean.

The friendly FatBird Support Crew

We cheered for the next few Ultra Marathoners that came by, and then more of the 42km marathoners. Keonz went by in top 10 position, and was blazing ahead. Most of these front group of runners did not require much aid, although they were appreciative of the loud cheers and applause provided. Max set up a nice photo-shoot location, snapping the runners as they ran by the TFB Sundown 2009 Poster...shwee! Our TFB runners like Spencer, YN and Terry all came by strongly. The front lady Ultra Marathoners came by at 2am+....Jeanette Wang, followed by another lady, then there was Lai Chee....they were just 5min apart.....the chase and race were hotting up. By 3am, the stream of runners grew to a heavy buildup...many of them asked for deep-heat rub, and we soon ran out of supplies. Tan Swee Kheng ran by in top 5 for the women Ultra.

The Ultra Marathon 84km Runners....15km to go!

We clapped and cheered, served refreshments to familiar faces and those in need for the next 2 hours. It was busy time from 3am to 5am, and the stream of runners just kept coming. We gave out jellies, iced milo, sng paos....all very popular items. Although they looked tired, most of the runners kept pushing on, with many taking just a short break at our station. We advised them to move on so as not to 'fall asleep' at that important stage of the race. As DO and I were about to displace to the start point at 5am, Ultra and his 84km pacers came along, then followed by tnancy and Jodan. Jancy called from Tamines to say supplies were low, and reported that YN, Spencer and Terry had passed. I told her Ultra and the 84km runners, including Bev and FIL reached our point in Bedok.

Night Hawk Ultra Marathon Top Finishers

We reached back to the start point at 6am. Terry and gang had already completed their 42km earlier and were washing up for the 8am Shape Run Training sessions....haha. Wee and Chun spotted us, and we took some nice finishing photos. Chun did a very good 8hr+ 84km and Wee did a very satisfying 9hr+ 84km....both achieving their respective targets set out when they joined the TFB NightHawk training. Many of the Team FatBird runners did very well too....it was heart-warming and satisfying to know that all our trainees achieved what they set out to do, from the newbie 10km runners all the way to the hard-core 84km racers.

A successful maiden voyage....well done!

Congratulations from Team FatBird go out to Benny Goh who claimed the Men's Ultra-Marathon in record time, Jeanette Wang who blazed to record time for the Women's Ultra-Marathon, Yong Lai Chee who was just a mere few minutes behind in second. Cheers to Lesley Tan who finished 3rd in the Women's Marathon...also to Sumiko and Vivian who came in first in their respective 10km team events.

Operation Night Hawk - Mission Accomplished! Already, we are planning for our next Training Program for the upcoming Army Half Marathon. Meanwhile, we will be taking a well-deserved rest, and taking time to reflect on our Nighthawk Training Program, the memories, trials and jubilations, as well as how we can improve for even better training sessions for all FatBirds and friends in future.

Dusk Has Cometh, The Night Hawks Have Emerged!

Till Sundown Marathon 2010 :)