Contributed by SAFRA

safra quadthlon

SAF regular, Tan Yeow Chung, 35, was the winner of the 2009 race. (Photo courtesy of SAFRA)

Singapore’s only four-discipline endurance race, the SAFRA Quadthlon, continues to attract a good mix of participants each year, ranging from seasoned athletes, young sports enthusiasts, corporate employees to families. Despite a busy Sunday with at least three other sports events held on the same day, the SAFRA Quadthlon still attracted more than 400 participants.

Organised by SAFRA Tampines, participants will compete in a 0.5km swim, 12km skate, 20km cycle and 6km run on 10.10.2010.

35-year-old SAF regular Tan Yeow Chung will also be making a comeback to defend his title. This man is no stranger to demanding and gruelling sporting events. Yeow Chung clinched the Men’s Open win in last year’s event with a dramatic finish. A proclaimed fitness addict, he has been taking part in triathlons, adventure races, and Ironman challenges for the past 10 years and has came in tops in a series of them.

When asked about his win in the Men’s Open last year, Yeow Chung replied humbly: “The winning is a bonus. In any race, my aim is to improve on my previous timing, and I plan my training to achieve that.”

This year, Yeow Chung began his training early in mid- August. He focused on the individual disciplines separately and gave particular attention to in-line skating, the discipline that he claims he is weakest in.

“I don’t skate when I am not training, unlike the other disciplines which I do all the time. So, when there is a race, I make sure to put in additional hours for skating,” said Yeow Chung.

Unlike Yeow Chung, Teresa Soh, who is a two-time Women’s Open winner, finds more excitement in the skating segment as compared to the other three disciplines, even though she thinks it is the most challenging among the four. She recalled last year’s race: “The course was quite technical. It had a few turns and slopes. The challenge was maneuvering around the other skaters, who didn’t always stay to the left as they should.”

Teresa will be competing again this year. This 38-year-old personal trainer and Pilate and in-line skating instructor said that the swim segment was her weakest discipline and that she has been training during any free time she could find between work.

“I’m just focusing on enjoying the training and doing what needs to be done. Consistent training, discipline, time management and having my husband as a supportive training partner have all helped me to clinch the top spot for the past two years,” said Teresa.