Top Local Runners of Standard Chartered Marathon S’pore 2018 Is a Doctor & Her Patient

When was the last time you went for a run? What about the last time you got off that couch you have been sitting on forever?

Yes, it’s high time for you to put on those running shoes you’ve had sitting in the cabinet for ages.

The story that I’m about to share should put you to shame, or well, at least spur you enough to tie those laces and get those legs moving.

What are the odds that your doctor wins a marathon alongside you? And what are the chances of your patient emerging top in a marathon with you?

It doesn’t happen every day, I would say.

But this doctor-patient pair shares an affinity with each other and the track; they both came in first in Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) 2018.

Female Top Runner: A Doctor From Changi Sports Medicine Centre

Aside from her occupation as a resident physician at Changi Sports Medicine Centre, Lim Baoying is an avid athlete.

According to her profile, Baoying had completed full marathons since 1999.

Her achievements include Adidas Sundown Marathon 42km Woman’s Open champion 2010 and Great Eastern 10km Run 2011 Women’s Local 4th.

Baoying doesn’t just run, too. She also held the Women’s National Champion title in the National Road Cycling Championships 2005 and in the OCBC Cycle Singapore 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Thus, it should come as no surprise that Lim emerged as the champion, clocking 3hr 16min 36sec, at the SCSM. She beat 2017’s top local woman, Rachel See (3:18:36).

Wew, this extraordinary woman is literally giving everyone a run for their money.

Top Male Runner: Soh Rui Yong, High-Profile Long-Distance Runner

The top male runner is none other than the national long-distance runner, Soh Rui Yong.

Don’t know him? You should. Because he is the first local male to win back-to-back SEA Games titles in 2017.

That and he spoke out against highly lauded teammate Ashley Liew about how he faked his “sportsmanship” account.

He clocked 2:41:49 for the marathon this year.

And It Turns Out, Both Of Them Knew Each Other

According to the Straits Times, Soh Rui Yong was Lim Baoying’s patient.

The 36-year-old doctor had treated Rui Yong after he injured his foot at the Berlin Marathon back in September. Rui Yong suffered from posterior tibial tendinosis in his left foot, which caused him to limp after running.

Thanks to Lim’s treatment, Rui Yong felt much better and was able to cool down properly after his race, something that he wasn’t able to do previously.

The pair shared the stage in exhilaration. And it is indeed, in Rui Yong’s words, “as though it has come full circle”.

The pair also shared a great threshold for endurance as both persisted with the run, in spite of prior injuries.

Baoying had to contend with a sprained ankle. This made her clinching the title even more jaw-dropping.

On top of her injury, she was also juggling training with work and studies. She is currently in a master’s programme, which led to several late nights.

If you aren’t feeling slightly embarrassed at your own laziness, I am. It’s time to put on our running shoes now.