Sunday, January 1, 2012

Xiamen International Marathon - Top 2 in China (7/01/2012, Sat)

Note:

If you are keen and have queries, please contact Coach Rameshon at 9100 4369 or you can email him at m.rameshon@gmail.com or swift.rameshon@gmail.com. Please refer to website http://flexifitness.com.sg (for more information on him and his programmes)

By Rameshon
Bsc (Hons) Degree in Physical Education, Loughborough University (1992-1994)

Masters in Education (University of Western Australia, 2005-2008)

Xiamen Marathon - A race that those who want to do good time

Picture 1 - Robert Kipkorir Kipchumba


Just like Tokyo and Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon in Japan, In China, there are Beijing and Xiamen marathon where people of the world may consider if they want to do well doing a reasonable time. Running in a temperate climate is not a wise option, from my years of experience. It is also safer to run in a cooler environment. Even for those who want to do a sub - 3hr, they should strongly consider this marathon. 

Let us see how the marathon would help. It would be good to see the results of the race. 

The General information in the website states that since 2003, Xiamen International Marathon will be held for the 10th time this year, 2012. It is IAAF Gold Label Road Race for consecutively four years. There is a very high chance that the first medal of the world for marathon race will be given at Xiamen  

The event has Marathon (42.195km), Half Marathon (21.0975km), 10KM Run and 5KM Run. There are: Cross-Strait Invitational Marathon Tournament, Wheelchair Half Marathon, and also Roller Skating12KM Race. Registration is done online, or by travel agencies or services. The entry fees are 50RMB for Domestic runners, including Hong Kong, Macau inhabitants. Overseas participants pay 20USD or 135RMB, Students pay 20 RMB. Please go to the website for more info in you are interested. Judging from the result, people who want to have a good chance of doing well should strongly consider this race.  

Picture 1 - In the women's section Zhang Ying Ying of China still has the course record contained with a time of 2hr 22min 38sec (2008)
Course: Xiamen International Marathon course is rewarded as one of the most beautiful courses in the world.
  1. Marathon:
    Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Center (The Strat) →Huandao Road → Minzu Road → Lujiang Road → South Hubin Road → Mid Hubin Road → North Hubin Road → Dongdu Road → West Hubin Road → Lujiang Road → Yanwu Bridge → Huandao Road → Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Center(The Finish)
     
  2. Half Marathon:
    Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Center(The Strat)→ Huandao Road → Minzu Road → Lujiang Road → South Hubin Road → Mid Hubin Road → East section of North Hubin Road£¨Qixing Road) (The Finish)
     
  3. Wheelchair Half marathon:
    Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Center(The Start)→ Huandao Road → Yanwu Bridge → Lujiang Road → South Hubin Road →Mid Hubin Road → North Hubin Road → East section of North Hubin Road£¨Qixing Road) (The Finish)
     
  4. Roller skating 12km:
    Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Center(The Start)→ Huandao Road → Bus stop of Xia Da Bai Cheng (The Finish)
     
  5. 10km Run:
    Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Center(The Strat) → Huandao Road → West Zengcuoan Road (Intersection of Xiamen Software District) (The Finish)
     
  6. 5km Run:
    Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Center (The Strat) → Huandao Road → South Yunding Road£¨Entrance to Yunding Tunnel) (The Finish). Picture 2 -
    In the women's section Zhang Ying Ying of China still has the course record contained with a time of 2hr 22min 38sec (2008)



Last year, in China, Jan. 2, Kenya's  Robert Kipkorir Kipchumba won the 9th Xiamen Marathon with a new course record. Robert did 1hr 04min 01sec for the first half-marathon and at the 23 km mark, he did 1hr 11min 24sec. The 26-year-old,  clocked two hours, eight minutes and seven seconds for his first career title, breaking the course record of 2:08:47. Ethiopia's Mesfin Hailu Lemma finished second in 2:09:50 and his compatriot Alemayehu Shumye was third in 2:09:58.




Note:

By Narayanan
Rameshon has taught in Hwa Chong Institution, plus several schools, and Republic Polytechnic as well. He has won many accolades and he was awarded Merit Award for 1991 marathon performance in breaking the national record of Singapore, at that time. He has made 22 male athletes do a marathon in sub-3hrs. He has made 7 female runners do sub-4 hours for the marathon, as well. He was inducted to the ‘Roll of Honour’  by the then College of Physical Education, organised by Singapore Olympic Academy, in 1998, for breaking the National record repeatedly 4 times, till he did 2hr 24min 22sec).

He also has a Coaching group and he trains them on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm at Botanic Gardens. Those interested can call him at 91004369 for coaching assistance, to improve performance. There is also personal training that he does for many in a week. You can e-mail him at swift.rameshon@gmail.com.