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)
Stanchart Marathon 2013 - Surprise awaiting in Stanchart Marathon 2013.
In my earlier blogpost, Part (1), I have spoken about some of the consistent top runners who are capable of running and going for a decisive win in the local marathon category of the upcoming Stanchart Marathon 2013 race. From the recent performance in the marathons done, worldwide and here, by these athletes, I would like to feature some of them today. It is going to be a summary report for the benefit of our Singapore running fraternity and audience.
Picture 1 - A 2hr 47min 10sec in Gold Coast marathon stands Derek Li to be one of the contenders for the Stanchart Marathon 2013.
The biggest contender for this year's Stanchart Marathon 2013 is Derek Li, with no defending champion, Ashley Liew, around. Mok Ying Ren and Ashley Liew are both running the SEA Games 2013 in Myanmar.
With a previous time of 3hr 22min, as a personal best for his marathon, Derek Li has done a creditable 2hr 47min, in the recent Gold Coast marathon 2013. He is young and has many years to still keep on improving his running performance.
Apart from that, I was thinking earlier on Zhi Yong, who was second for Stanchart Marathon 2012. He can surprise every one of us in running anytime and aim to be a champion on the day of the race.
When Ashley did not do well in 2011 Stanchart Marathon, we decided to do a 'stay low, go far method', rather than discussing on guaranteed performance and not having the ability to deliver the said promise. Hence, we kept quiet and trained in a conservative way. There was a lot of hard work and teamwork which was going on at the back of the scene.
It was not a surprise for me and Ashley Liew when Zhi Yong told the press last year that Ashley was a question mark when it came to winning the race, as he came in second and winning was therefore not in sight for him. It was in fact, our cautious way to win the race last year. We did not want too much revealing but to allow the leg to do the talking. Ashley cooperated to this and can be seen as a very patient athlete. I believe that a patient guy can win the whole world.
Anyway, this time around, there is this an opportunity or window period created for Zhi Yong to go for a win again and the chance of winning is there, provided he can fend off his courageous opponents. His challenge, I believe will come from Derek Li and Lim Thow Wee predominantly. Time will tell whether the fate of winning is on Zhi Yong's side.
Derek Li has mentioned to me in the Facebook that in the recently cancelled race, Adidas King of the Road, Zhi Yong has expressed his intention to run the Stanchart Marathon. This is great news for all running fans. Knowing Zhi Yong, personally, he may spring a surprise when needed. Top contenders cannot take him lightly as anything can happen on the day of the race. Hence, this is going to be an exciting year as I have a strong feeling that these athletes have the probability of going for it at all cost, else winning will be hard the following year as these two runners, Ashley Liew and Mok Ying Ren will be available to win again and again.
Picture 2 - Eliz (left), always supportive of Thow Wee's (right) aspiration in running
As for Lim Thow Wee, after doing a time of 3hr 09min (2008) 3hr 10min (2009) to 3hr 02min (2010) in Stanchart Marathons, in this year's race, Seoul Marathon 2013 and Gold Coast Marathon 2013, he finally managed to do a sub-3hrs, by doing a 2hr 55min and 2hr 53min, respectively. I was one of those who felt very happy about this. Seeing his leg technique, with constant corrections done, I feel that he can value add to his upcoming performances in marathon race by doing a sub- 2hr 40min one day, in one to three years time. He must hang on tight to this goal and has to go for it! The name of the game is perseverance.
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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.
