An Interview With Rameshon - Part 4

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)

Written By Marcel Sng

On Past Record Breakers

I was thinking about the past national record holders of Singapore. It would be good to know them so that we know the history of marathon running. Hence, I started asking our own runner Mr Rameshon on this matter. 

An Interview With Mr Rameshon

To your knowledge, how did marathon running come to Singapore?

At the age of 12, my brothers and I ran a marathon and it was called Pesta Sukan at that time. My brothers and I were able to complete the marathon. At that age, I did not take the race seriously. There existed runs like this, usually once a year. I was usually amazed to see old people running at that time and admire their mental strength, at that time.

Who was holding the marathon record at first?

I really don't know this but surely Kumaravelu, about 1.5metres in height, was one of the pioneers to break the record. I saw his past time to be 2hr 46min in SWIFT Club newsletter vividly.

Who broke the record after this?

It was S. Ramasamy who is still teaching still in ITE. His time was 2hr 37min 20sec done on 19 Oct 1982. He established this in Phuket marathon, Thailand. He has a personal best time of 16min 00sec for 5km and he is still keeping himself active even now that he is 48. 

After Ramasamy, who broke the record?

It was Goh Gam Seng who did 2hr 34min 39sec in Boston, in 15 Apr 1985, USA. Gam Seng got himself injured later on and decided to take cycling to keep himself active. 

Then who broke Goh Gam Seng's Record?

Tan Choon Ghee, Yvonne Danson's husband who did 2hr 34min 22sec in Long Beach, USA. It was in 1990 that broke that record to 2hr 31min in Citizen International Hong Kong Marathon. 

So far, I know that you have done four 2hr 30min and below, what about the other one which forms five that you have mentioned to us?

It was 2hr 29min, in Chiengmai Thailand, which was done in the year 1995, January, when I was doing relief teaching at National Junior College at that time. We were given the opportunity to see that SEA Games route prior to the SEA Games in Dec. I was the first qualifier for the SEA Games at that time, as my time was faster than the previous SEA Games bronze medal for marathon winning time, held two years ago.

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.