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Putting their best feet forward, Republic Polytechnic's
Roadrace team and Titanz, the Cheerleading team,
made for a good showing at the Standard Chartered
Singapore Marathon 2003. It was the first time that
both roadrace and cheerleading teams took part in
a race of such a magnitude and scale, involving a
record number of 9878 participants from over twenty
countries. DPM Lee Hsien Loong's appearance and support
at the end-point at the Padang made all the sweat,
hard work, and effort from training to be involved
in this worthwhile.
 Republic Polytechnic's Roadrace team fielded six
competitors for the School Challenge, out of which
the best four timings for the 10k will be counted.
Our Titanz were also participated in the Spirit of
the course category where cheer teams line up along
the route to cheer the runners along. As a runner
myself, I also participated in the Women's Open Half-marathon
category. It was a fabulous experience to see the
Titanz at the first stop (approx 5km point) along
Fort Road cheering all the runners along. In the
semi-darkness of around 6:30am, it definitely lifted
my spirits to see fellow RP students heartily giving
their all to the runners who were in the first legs
of their race.
For the RP Roadrace runners, it was a eye-opening
experience as they competed against other JCs, polys
and university teams who were far more seasoned in
such competitions. Still, they did their best and
all completed their 10km in 50 mins - a very good
performance, considering their unfamiliarity to competitive
racing. So far, they had taken part in only two other
races - the Nike Real Run and the IVP held at SMU.
Despite having to wake up very early to be at the
start point by 5am, Roadrace captain, Kong Zhi Hui
said, "It was indeed a very fruitful experience
for me to participate in such a large-scale race.
Personally, I am also very satisfied with the personal
best timing that I achieved as it shows that all
my training has not been in vain".
 For me, it was a very fulfilling experience to see
the Roadrace team being exposed to bigger races and
competitions to sharpen their competitive instincts
and desire to achieve more in their training. They
are not in the top five for their category at their
current standards but I say, that is just a matter
of time as I see their enthusiasm and hunger for
excellence grow in this sport. Personally, I came
in overall fifth position for the Women's Open category,
a far cry from my former standards...but that too,
is just a matter of time. Next year, we will all
aim for higher goals and standards to do The Republic
proud! Bravo all!!
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