Transit Inn: Photo-essay: Standard Chartered Marathon 2007

Until last Sunday, I've never taken any photos of the carnival at Padang after the race. Each time I only took photos of cheerful faces (apparent) and aching bodies (not apparent) of my running mates and me. This year though, after not being able to link up with Jon (who left without even finding me!), I took my time and went around to hopefully capture some good shots. Hence this photo-essay of sorts came to fruition.

Signing up for the marathon was easy; keeping to a training regime was tough; and running the marathon was, both easy and tough. Easy, in the sense that all that is required of you is to run; tough, because beyond a certain distance, you will have to endure running in pain.

In the end, what always keeps me going when the going gets tough is self-motivation: a desire to give your best; a desire to better your last timing. Of course, it is pointless to talk about all this if you didn't commit to any sort of training before the marathon.

I asked Run'er how was her first marathon. Her reply via sms: i enjoyed e run! a lot! came back in 5hr plus and it didn't feel as difficult as i'd imagined it to be..e suntec overhead bridge escalators are not working..saw a lot of fit-looking pple hobbling down e steps..quite comical..haha

To tell the truth, I was a little surprised but ultimately gladdened by her very positive response. Enjoyed! - in exclamation marks! How many people have actually so described their experience this way!

As running a marathon becomes increasingly fashionable, it is truly heartening to hear of someone who genuinely enjoyed the run. Because to me, enjoying the process is more important than running a marathon (per se).

Marathon finishers queuing up to collect their addidas dri-fit finisher tee.

Kids had the Games stalls to turn to for entertainment.

Smart slogan by Addidas. But as Jon quips, we know it (completing a marathon) is possible already.

100 Plus, the official isotonic drink.

Distance in perspective

Large has its advantage. It is spotted easily. This particular banner reminds me of a clean and green campaign.

Running along Saint Andrew's Road past the City Hall, this final stretch is possibly the most exhilarating moment for most runners, what with supporters, strangers and fellow runners alike lining the side cheering them on.

This Singapore Design Festival display along the steps of City Hall was eye-catching and added to the vibrant multiplicity of colours and shapes in the area. Very pleasing to the eye.

Many boyfriends and husbands signed up with their partners for the marathon (full or half) to support them from start to end, as presumably did the gentleman in this photo. The couple earned rousing cheers and support from the bystanders and Emcee.

While some runners approaching the finishing line would pick up pace and finish in style, others quite simply, can't; sometimes the pain (endured for hours) is just so bad that even for that last few metres, it is hard to summon any more strength to run any faster.

That ubiquitous banner and the ubiquitous guy in it should be very well-recognised by now.

Relief, more than euphoria perhaps, is what one feels when finally past the finishing line.

The drinks were given out at the tentage to just about anyone. I helped myself to two cans despite being quite sick of it already; the replenishment is needed.