Great Eastern Women’s Run 2021 to feature competitive virtual elite half-marathon with modified race format

18 local elite runners invited to compete; virtual race format to allow for safe racing amid COVID-19

 

SINGAPORE, 29 SEPTEMBER 2021 – The 15th edition of the Great Eastern Women’s Run (GEWR) will feature a competitive virtual half-marathon for 18 invited local elite runners. The race will adopt a modified virtual format to minimise interaction between participants and to allow for safe distancing, while at the same time retaining the competitive elements of a race.

The virtual half-marathon is to be held in conjunction with the all-women’s virtual run for the public which also kicks off on Sunday, 14 November. Participants for the public race will be given a month to clock in the distances they’ve chosen. (More information and registration for the GEWR can be done through can be submitted at https://www.greateasternlife.com/greateasternwomensrun/index.html)

The competitive virtual half-marathon provides the opportunity for Singapore’s top female runners to compete in a safe racing environment. All competitors are to clock in their race between 6am and 9am on Sunday 14 November. After completing the race, all runners who will be running with wearables will submit their results digitally where their run time (duration and pace), distance, route and heart rate will be verified.

This elite category will feature a strong field of runners who were medalists at previous editions of the GEWR, as well as participants with SEA Games and Olympics experience. These include SEA Games representatives Jasmine Goh (2016 GEWR champion), Rachel See (2017 GEWR silver medalist), Serena Teoh (SEA Games 2019 representative) and Olympian Neo Jie Shi (2018 GEWR bronze medalist).

Jasmine Goh, who has participated in the GEWR since 2012, said: “We’ve missed competing and while this race will be without traditional race elements such as a flag-off and finish line, it is no less of a contest. We will still be competing against the other runners at the same location and on the same day, only in a socially-distant and safer manner. We are thankful to Great Eastern for adapting to the challenges the pandemic has thrown our way and for providing us the opportunity to race again.”

Colin Chan, Managing Director, Group Marketing, Great Eastern, said: “These are challenging times, and we have been spurred to adjust and innovate in light of the evolving Covid-19 situation. We have modified the competition format of the elite half-marathon so that it remains as close to a race setting as possible, while ensuring the safety of all participants. We hope this opportunity to compete in a simulated race setting will help our local athletes achieve their sporting goals. We will continue to monitor the Covid-19 developments closely, and will reinstate the features of a full race for these 18 elite runners should the situation allow it.”

To mark the return of GEWR after the cancellation of the race last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the local elite runners will also lead a fund-raising initiative where donated monies will go towards the two selected beneficiaries – Breast Cancer Foundation (BCF) and Daughters Of Tomorrow (DOT). Members of the public can support these causes via the Great Eastern Cares fundraising page on SimplyGiving.com.

“Supporting causes for women has always been close to the hearts of the GEWR community. We hope to help advance the work of our two beneficiaries by activating the elite runners’ and the GEWR community’s networks to help enable and empower women and families in need to achieve financial independence”, said Mr Chan.

 

About Great Eastern

Founded in 1908, Great Eastern is a well-established market leader and trusted brand in Singapore and Malaysia. With over S$90 billion in assets and more than 10 million policyholders, including 7.5 million from government schemes, it provides insurance solutions to customers through three successful distribution channels – a tied agency force, bancassurance, and financial advisory firm Great Eastern Financial Advisers. The Group also operates in Indonesia and Brunei and has a presence in China as well as a representative office in Myanmar.

The Great Eastern Life Assurance Company Limited and Great Eastern General Insurance Limited have been assigned the financial strength and counterparty credit ratings of "AA-" by Standard and Poor's since 2010, one of the highest among Asian life insurance companies. Great Eastern's asset management subsidiary, Lion Global Investors Limited, is one of the largest private sector asset management companies in Southeast Asia.

Great Eastern is a subsidiary of OCBC Bank, the longest established Singapore bank, formed in 1932. It is now the second largest financial services group in Southeast Asia by assets and one of the world’s most highly-rated banks, with an Aa1 rating from Moody’s. Recognised for its financial strength and stability, OCBC Bank is consistently ranked among the World’s Top 50 Safest Banks by Global Finance and has been named Best Managed Bank in Singapore by The Asian Banker.

 #GreatEasternSG #TheLifeCompany #Lifeproof

 

Media Contacts

PeiRu Ng
Mobile: +65 9152 2842
Email: peiru@fullcirclepr.co

Ronda Ng
Mobile: +65 9152 2842
Email: ronda@fullcirclepr.co