GE Women's Run 2013 Field Report - GEWR13 Official Pacers
Photo contributions and credits from various sources including: BTing, Running Shots, Tan Kim Lai, Ronnie Goh, Nicholas Heng, Pictureart, Running Gallery (if we have left out any, kindly inform us through training@tramfatbird.com).
A few months prior to the GE Women's Run, Team FatBird was
tasked with an enviable mission of selecting a team of ”women only" pacers to
undergo 8 weeks of training to be fielded on race day to bring as many women
runners to their PBs as possible.
It was from careful sifting through committed and experienced marathoners we know
in our club, and with some good fortune, were we able to 'Cherry Pick' 20 women
pacers who went through a journey of pace training and fostering of friendships
and teamwork to eventually be ready for mission GEWR 2013.
At 4am on race morning, the Pacers' support crew (made up
Team FatBird trainers, photographers, coordinators) and HM Pacers were gathered
in the air-conditioned holding room at The Float to be armed with props that
the respective teams have painstakingly designed and procured for this special
mission.
Pacer balloons marked with pace
timings were secured onto the 'wings' of these Pace Angels, before we proceeded
to the start pens for group photos and to assume marked out start positions.
The Elite field of international HMers were flagged off
at 5:30am, followed 5min later (at 5:35am) by the main field of HM runners. The Pacers and runners were pumped up by the
music and encouragement of the MC, creating an atmosphere of excitement.
The Pacers with their colorful head gear and
balloons put their training into practice in calculated fashion, leading hordes
of runners in their distinctive GEWR red apparel out into the horizon. The weather was cool with winds of impending
showers blowing through, making the run very comfortable for the runners at the
least.
Time passed rather quickly, and by the time the Support
Crew reached back to the holding area for a second time, the 10K Pacers were
already assembling and receiving their final preparations brief. Pacer balloons were also secured well, and
with a few takes of group and team photos, we led the 10K Pacers to the start
line at 6:20am for deployment.
The pens were filled to the brim by 6:45am,
and with the Cheerleaders and warm-up routines by Physical Trainers keeping the
runners entertained, the threat of the looming thunderstorm soon came to pass
with just a slight delay to the start.
The heavens smiled on the GEWR runners as they were flagged off to
immaculate cloudy weather, with the Pacers once again blowing their whistles
and leading the way with their gaily colored balloons.
A quick break for the support crew and we were at the
finish line of the HM, anxiously awaiting the arrival of our first Pacer
teams. We spotted and cheered for many
familiar faces and Team FatBird runners who came in with very good times, some
Personal Bests too. A common sight was
the strong running of all the women runners, attesting to the strong
field. In a whisker, we spotted the
Pacer group of 2:10h from the distance.
They were running strong and with confidence,
ushering in as many of the runners who could go below 2:10h in before finishing
as a group with arms held high in 2:08h - the digital clock read as 2:13h because it was started 5min earlier when the Elites were flagged off (giving our Pacers a scare when they first ran down the finish chute).
Their jubilant faces with broad smiles were testament of a job well done
and the sense of satisfaction that came with the smooth delivery. The 2:20h and 2:30h pace groups too
accomplished their respective pace objectives in similar successful fashion,
all within 1-2min of their Pace Group targets.
We had another group of supporters at the separate finish
line to welcome back the 1:00h, 1:10h and 1:20h Pace Groups, who have had to
lead a larger field of 6,000+ runners through their paces for good
finishes.
The 10K distance was a tad
short, leading to the Pacers with about 1-2min of extra time to nudge more of
the ladies to optimize their timings.
There were loud cheers and whistles of encouragement as the respective
Pacer Groups romped home in fine fashion, all within a minute of target finish
time to maximize the number of GEWR runners meeting their timing
objectives.
A great performance indeed by the team of dedicated and
committed GEWR Women Pacers, who outdid themselves with the sacrifices in
training as well as on race day to motivate and encourage so many runners to do
their best, in true 'Girl Power' fashion.
A huge shout out to all 14,000+ GEWR Runners for a great performance and
to the GEWR Pacers for an immaculate report card in the inaugural all-women
pace mission in Singapore. Live Great,
Run Great!
The post-race experience was carnival-like with good food
(ice-cream, hot-dogs, nando chicken, muffins, fruits), nice music and games for
the participants and their families. The
light drizzle was no dampener and in fact, the spirits and feel-good meters
were registering highs after all that good timings recorded.
Well done to the event owner, Great Eastern Life and race organizer, HiVelocity for a wonderful
race experience with a number of firsts and enhanced features to bring a truly #liveGreat
experience to all the GEWR runners, families and supporters. It sure will not be easily upstaged, but we
are confident that many will look forward to GEWR 2014 with high anticipation.
Live Great, Run Great, Life Is Great!
Photo Compilations from Official & Non-Official Sources
Official Race Day Photos HERE!
Compliments for GEWR 2013 Pacers
The following are some comments from the GEWR 2013 facebook page of runners' appreciation for the wonderful efforts of the GEWR Women Pacers:
Junenalyn Labuguen Cosue
Thanks Great Eastern and team fatbird! I achieved my PB
of 2:05 for the half mary
Garima Goenka Poddar
It was my first run ever.. And i was only hoping to
complete my run with 80 mins and earn my finishers medal.. I just didnt lose sight of the pacers in pink hats!! And
before i knew it, i had completed my 10 k in 68 mins!!!
It is a real achievement for me.. And i thank the pacers
for helping me get it!!
Thanks ladies!! You did great!!
Evelyn Chong
Thank you so much for the hard work, effort and
motivation even thou I could not keep up the pace but I truly enjoyed it
Shirley Tay
A very BIG thank you to the pacers!! Same for me, being a
newbie in 10km run, I was hoping to complete within 70mins. The ladies served
as a good motivation for me and I completed in 57 mins 43 sec! I couldn't
believe it! You gals rock!!!
Neo Priscilla
Thk u for the movitation . This year my timing have
improved by 10 mins. Feeling great!!!
Janei L. Lapana
A million thanks to all of u....
Rosaidah Ghazali
My heartiest thanks goes to the 1:20 pacers. Going into
the race without much training with my 12-yr-old, I was only hoping for a 1:30
timing. Was pleasantly surprised to see the clock showing 1:15 when I crossed
the finish line. The cheery pacers were constantly giving their encouragement
and I felt really encouraged to push myself. Hugz to the lovely ladies.
Denise Li
Achieved my goal of running the marathon in under
2hr20min thanks to the pacers! Thank you for the encouragement close to the
finish line too.
Jessy Chng
i had my pb by following 21km 2:30 pacers .. the ladies
have sunny smiles n make the run seem breezy.. thk u n keep running
Samantha Van Norman
Loved the pacers but I felt the course was shorted as per
my gps. I'll still take my PB time
though.
Marie Harris
Pacers were amazing - so encouraging and full of life.
Thank you
Nur Aisha Jaini
The best thing about this: unlike another well known
all-women run in town, I'm so grateful for the *all-women* team of pacers for
this run!This is much more befitting to the event, thank you
French Angelfish
I had personally thanked the 1.10 pacers. But I thanked
them once again here. Not much training done this year. Not for the pacers, I
will complete in 2hrs.
Natalie Chee
Followed the 2:10 pacers during the first half hour. The
bit which I always either go too fast or slow. Achieved PB below 2 hours at
1:57 for the half m. Thanks pacers! :)))
Narelle Percival
Thanks Pacers, you were full of energy and motivation. I
also finished faster than expected after following you!
Stella D Chen
Thks to al e pacers, esp e ladies of 2hrs 30mins for half
marathon. If nt bcos of u ladies, i wont b able to complete my run n settin my
1st pb at 2hrs 30mins. Awesome ladies!
Samantha Van Norman
Loved the pacers but I felt the course was shorted as per
my gps. I'll still take my PB time
though.
Janei L. Lapana
A million thanks to all of u....GEWR Pacers
