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  The Straits Times 4 Dec 06
Not one to tyre easily
by Nicholas Fang

For most runners, completing a 42.2km marathon is daunting enough.

But Ms Rima Chai, 36, decided to give herself an extra challenge at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon yesterday - she dragged a car tyre laden with a styrofoam box, cans and bottles.

While she did not know the weight of her extra burden, which was harnessed to her waist, a standard car tyre weighs between 5kg and 10kg. The first-time marathoner put herself through the 'torture' to raise awareness for the environment and the need for recycling and conservation.

The information technology programmer, who is a Singapore permanent resident but is based in Britain, said she has long believed that the environment must be protected.

Her effort paid off. She created a racket as the empty cans rattled on the ground, catching people's attention. And when they did a second take, most would have seen her message on the box, which was a call to conserve and recycle.

She completed the route in 7hr 39min, and is planning to become the first Asian woman to travel from the North Pole to the South Pole in 2009.

A record 31,000 registered runners took to the streets for the fifth Stanchart marathon.

The Kenyans completed a sweep of the Men's and Women's Open titles in best times. Amos Tirop Matui set a new mark of 2hr 14min 59sec to retain his crown while Salina Kosgei won the women's title in 2hr 31min 53sec. NICHOLAS FANG
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