Some 6,000 people participated in National Runway Cycling 2006 held at Paya Lebar Air Base this morning.  Organised jointly by SAFRA, Republic of Singapore Air Force and Singapore Sports Council, this is the only such event in Asia that allows cyclists and skaters on the runway.

Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee, Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Defence) flagged off the participants before cycling alongside them on the normally restricted runway.

Among the participants was a group of 71 mountain bikers who cycled from Woodlands at 6.30am to Paya Lebar Air Base to take part in the event.  Sasman Mohamed, 43, leader of the group said: “We took part in National Runway Cycling last year as we were fascinated by the opportunity to visit an air base and cycle on its runway.  We had so much fun then and decided to participate again this year.  We also decided to up the challenge by cycling all the way from Woodlands to the event site thus covering more than 70km in all.”

Besides the mountain bikers, 11 children aged between 7 and 16 years from Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home took part in the event for the first time this year.  Doing the 6km family route, together with SAFRA Cycling Club members, proved to be an exhilarating experience for them as some of them had only learnt how to cycle a week before the event.  The children were presented with $2,000 worth of bicycles and helmets and taught them how to cycle by the SAFRA Cycling Club members on May 20.  The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, one of the supporting partners of National Runway Cycling 2006, sponsored the bicycles and helmets for the Home.

In addition, more than 80 children and volunteers from the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore - Guillemard Gardens School (MINDS-GGS) took part in the event for the 7^th consecutive year.  MINDS-GGS is adopted by Paya Lebar Air Base under the RSAF's Community Relations Programme.

There were some other familiar faces at the event and one of them, Patrick Tan, 33 who has participated in the event since 1997 said: “I enjoy taking part in National Runway Cycling.  Where else can you find such a long stretch of even path in Singapore, not to mention a runway, where you can cycle so freely?”

Jurong Shipyard with 63 employees taking part in the event for the 3^rd time, was presented with the Largest Corporate Group award.

Besides the 6km family route and 15km leisure route, over 500 participants took up the Endurance Challenge which required them to complete either a 30km cycling route or 15km skating route.

Participants and supporters were also entertained by an array of activities at the carnival area including a giant jigsaw puzzle competition, throw a paper plane contest, radio controlled car race and performances by SAF Music & Drama Company, Fu Hua Secondary School, Qi Fa Primary School and Hwa Chong Institution.  Some lucky winners walked away with over $10,000 worth of prizes in the games and lucky draw.

COL Peter Ware, Commander, Paya Lebar Air Base and Chairman of the National Runway Cycling 2006 Executive Committee said: “We are very happy with the turnout for National Runway Cycling 2006 and believe that the participants, both first-time and repeat, recognise it as a great opportunity for families and friends to get together and have fun exercising in a unique location.”

National Runway Cycling 2006 is also held in conjunction with the National Family Week 2006.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information, please contact:

Ms Geraldine Yap                               

Email: ygeraldine@safra.sg

Ms Pansy Ong

Assistant Manager, Public Affairs

Tel: 6377 9834

 Email: opansy@safra.sg

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Participants cycling on the Paya Lebar Air Base runway.

Participants cycling on the Paya Lebar Air Base runway.