The OSIM Sundown Marathon will flag off again in July, and taking part for the first time is a group of 24 runners representing Assisi Hospice.
The group, which includes doctors, nurses, counsellors and administrative staff, are are raising funds for a new, bigger building, which will double the number of patients they can help from the current 1,200. Assisi Hospice is also hoping to hire more staff.
The runners have been training together twice a week for the past three months and said they are doing this for their patients.
Said Assisi Hospice palliative doctor Ong Eng Koon, “Through the process of running and training, actually the hardships that we go through kind of parallel what our patients go through as well. And we do think about our patients when we train and run.”
About 30,000 runners are expected at the starting line at the F1 Pit Building. The organisers have also roped in 1,800 volunteers, who will hand out refreshments along the route. Among the volunteers is a 74-year-old retiree and his wife, who are helping out at the event for the third time.
“I want to socialise and make more friends and also give something back to society,” said Mr Yeong Kwai Kok.
Source: CNA