Surprise Star of the SCSM: Lim Baoying
Picture this: The press conference buzzes, reporters clickheads, and there sits a giggling, 36‑year‑old marathoner who hasn’t even been there to medicate anyone. Instead, she’s rattling off her own triumph.
Why the Doctor’s Seat Lets Go of the Medical Kit
Dr. Lim Baoying is no stranger to running the Singapore Marathon. Since 2006 she’s been on the course almost every year, never quite topping the charts—until this Sunday. Running a thrilling 3 hr 16 min 36 sec, she outsprinted the 2017 local woman champs Rachel See (3 hr 18 min 36 sec) and Hu Xiuying (3 hr 18 min 57 sec). The win was a total surprise, and the crowd couldn’t keep their horses off their phones.
Between the Shoes and the Clinics
- Lim’s Inbox of Adrenaline – a sprained left ankle (gotten on a patchy grass patch Saturday), juggling a Masters program, and sleepless nights past midnight. She joked: “I’ve been under‑training this year, so to win is amazing.”
- Her Legacy – she’d previously cracked fifth place the year before. This victory shattered her self‑imposed ceiling and left the audience in fits of laughter.
Soh Rui Yong and the PRP Magic
On the same podium stood Soh Rui Yong, Singapore’s top male marathoner and seasoned SEA Games champ. He’d battled a pesky foot injury from the Berlin Marathon that month. After a painful bout with posterior tibial tendinosis, Soh turned to Dr. Lim for a PRP (platelet‑rich plasma) injection.
“When I came back to Singapore, I went to see Baoying, and she gave me this very painful treatment,” Soh recounted. “Now I’m much better, and I could cool down after my race. Usually I’m limping around—so it was very effective. I’m very glad to share the stage with Baoying. It’s as if it’s come full circle.”
Final Results Snapshot
- Men’s National Champion: Soh Rui Yong (2 hr 41 min 49 sec) – a solid but not personal best; a confidence booster for his Tokyo Marathon aspirations.
- Silver Rush: Mohamed Iskandar (2 hr 49 min 46 sec)
- Bronze: Giebert Foo Xiao Wen (2 hr 54 min 14 sec)
- Rivalry Highlight: Ashley Liew (3 hr 9 min 59 sec) – a humbling 2 hr 50 min 29 sec from last year, falling outside the top 10.
With Lim’s unexpected win, Soh’s resilient recovery, and a podium full of personal stories, the SCSM press conference felt less like a press event and more like a communal celebration of perseverance, mishaps, and the pure joy of crossing a finish line.
