Some 15,000 participants helped to raise about S$250,000 for charity in a run around Jurong Lake on Sunday morning.
And with its revamped identity – “Running as One” – it’s hoped the race will promote healthy living and bring the community together.
The number of participants surpassed the 6,500 who took part in the inaugural run last year.
Deputy Prime Minister and Advisor to Jurong GRC Grassroots Organisations, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, along with grassroots leaders and MediaCorp’s Chief Executive Officer Shaun Seow flagged off the MediaCorp 10-kilometre (km) race.
They came from all around Singapore and even the world, with 51 nationalities represented.
Others took on the challenge of the six-km or three-km routes.
Mr Tharman said: “The Jurong people love it. But people came from Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Panjang, and quite a few people from the east and Sengkang came down.
“Running is becoming quite a serious past time in Singapore now. There are many people in their 30s, 40s, who run regularly. They look forward to the various fixtures each year, register well in advance and it’s nice to have this hobby – a hobby that keeps you fit and also keeps you in the community.”
The run, which was the second to be held, was part of the Community Sports Festival organised by the People’s Association.
MediaCorp, the main sponsor of the run, will continue to support the event for another two years.
Head of strategic marketing at MediaCorp, Patrick Yong, said: “We find the Jurong Lake Run a very worthwhile cause for the charities they’re supporting and this is one way that MediaCorp can reach out and engage its audience, in that we can give back to the society.”
Guillaume Soh won the 10-km men’s open category with a time of 31 minutes 47 seconds.
38-year-old Suzanne Walsham took home the prize in the 10-km female open category.
The money raised from “Run for a Cause” will go to seven beneficiaries.
They are the Singapore Children’s Society, Children’s Cancer Foundation, Loving Heart Multi-Service Centre, Singapore Association for Mental Health, Aspiration Wan Qing Lodge, Lakeside Family Centre, and Concern and Care Neighbourhood Link.
This article was first published in CNA