The heavy downpour could not dampen the conviction of all those who gathered at Farnborough Road yesterday morning. Majority of the runners were clad in yellow and even had yellow shoelaces. They were there for a cause and they were not about to allow the weather to stop them from showing their support.

 

Themed “Beyond the Run”, the second edition of the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run attracted an estimated 7,600 participants including 180 ex-offenders. The route took the runners past historical sites in the Changi area including the Johore Battery, Changi Chapel Museum and old Changi Prison Wall.

 

Although the flag-off was slightly delayed due to the poor weather, the participants of the 10km competitive race were still full of energy and they got off to a roaring start when Guest-of-Honour, Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs flagged them off.

 

Many well-known names lent their weight to the cause. They included ex-Olympians Mr C. Kunalan and  Mr P C Suppiah. Current YOG Boys’ soccer team captain, Jeffrey Lightfoot, was also present. 2007 SEA Games Triathlon gold medal winner Mok Ying Ren also participated in the 10km competitive race.

 

As the runners approached the finish line, they entered the conserved old Changi Prison Gatehouse that leads to the new Changi Prison Complex where a carnival, featuring performances by inmates from the Performing Arts Centre (PAC), awaited them.

 

About 6,000 runners opted to donate $2.00 to obtain Yellow Ribbon Shoelaces when they registered for the run with all proceeds going to the Yellow Ribbon Fund.  A total of $110, 000 was raised from the event for the Fund.

 

Started in 2004, the Yellow Ribbon Project is a community initiative in Singapore that aims to create awareness of the need to give second chances to ex-offenders, generate acceptance of ex-offenders and their families in the community, and inspire community action to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-offenders into society.