Palm | Kelapa Sawit

Olivia Siong Channel NewsAsia 27 Jan 13;

SINGAPORE: What used to be a rail line became a running track on Sunday morning, as about 6,000 runners raced down a green pathway, known as the Rail Corridor.

The race, which was flagged off by Acting Minister for Manpower and Senior Minister of State for National Development Tan Chuan-Jin, started at Tanjong Pagar Railway Station.

The route was 10.5 kilometres long and ended at Bukit Timah Railway Station.

The fastest runner took about 34 minutes, while the first woman to finish took about 41 minutes.

32-year-old Samson Tenai from Kenya was the overall winner in the male category. He completed the race in 34 minutes and 11 seconds.

As for the winner of the female category, 26-year-old Rosie Clarke from the United Kingdom, completed the race in 41 minutes and 42 seconds.

The event, which is supported by smartphone company, BlackBerry, aims to raise awareness of the value of the area.

Gail Brennan, director of marketing at BlackBerry Singapore said: "It's special because it's part of an old conservation trail, which has sort of been abandoned for many years. People haven't really been allowed to enjoy it or be a part of it. It's a relic that many Singaporeans remember very fondly. I think that it's great that it's opened up again and people can enjoy it."

- CNA/xq