6,000 female runners to hit the streets for Singapore´s much-awaited women-only run.

Singapore, 4 September 2007 – SPH Magazines Pte Ltd´s SHAPE, the complete mind & body guide for women, will hold its second women-only Shape Run this Sunday on 9 September 07. As one of the nation´s most well-received women-only sporting events, this annual run has proven to be an enormous hit with female running enthusiasts here. All of its 6,000 spaces were snapped up within 12 days of registration opening on 22 June 07.SHAPE spearheaded Singapore´s first-ever women-only competitive run last year on 16 July 2006, sparking off a trend of women-only running events. This year´s Shape Run 2007 is being held in conjunction with SHAPE´s 3rd Anniversary, with the aim of encouraging more women to include sports, particularly running, as part of their healthy active lifestyle.

Elisabeth Gwee, editor of SHAPE, says: “The response to this year´s run has exceeded our expectations. It reaffirms the positioning of Shape Singapore as the definitive guide for women who want to live healthier and more well-balanced lives. The overwhelming response that we´ve gotten from the public shows the impact that SHAPE has had on motivating women to lead a more active lifestyle.”

“We are proud to have started the first women’s only run and are extremely encouraged by SHAPE Run´s success,” commented Allen Loh, Managing Director of SPH Magazines Pte Ltd. “It´s only our second run and we´ve managed to grow the number to more than twice of last year´s in record time. In fact, our participants have started a SHAPE running community since then and we hope to grow this community steadily in the years to come.”

Guest-of-Honour of the event, Dr Amy Khor, Mayor of South West District, will flag off the races. A team of five Special Olympics Singapore athletes are also participating in the run.

Shape Run 2007 attracts both first-timers and seasoned runners. 36% of the runners are competing in the 10km category while 64% are taking up the 5km challenge – a category suited for novices who have not attempted any competitive run before. The route starts at the Esplanade and takes runners down Shenton Way, before turning into Marina South for the 10km participants.

To thank the participants for their support, all runners will receive a Runner´s Kit worth $1,000 each after their run. The kit consists of a SHAPE sports bag, Nike t-shirt, bodycare products, health supplements, yoghurt, fitness trial classes, spa vouchers, fragrances and many other freebies. They will also be presented a certificate with their personal time.The winner of the 10km run will receive a $1,000 cash prize and over $12,000 worth of products. For the 5km category, a $500 cash prize and $8,400 worth of products awaits the fastest runner. Prizes will also be given to participants who come in 2nd to 10th placing for both categories (5km/10km).

In conjunction with the Shape Run, there will be a three-day Shape Run Carnival, held from 7 to 9 September 2007 (this Friday-Sunday), from 11am to 9pm daily (opens early from 8.30am on Sunday) at the Marina Square Atrium. Visitors can check out the latest health, beauty and fitness products and services at its 22 booths. With the hottest offers and giveaways, fun games and lots of prizes to be won, this is one fair not to be missed.The Shape Run 2007 is organised by SHAPE, SPH Magazines Pte Ltd, and co-presented by nike women. The event´s main sponsor is Swissoats A111 and is supported by the Singapore Sports Council. Official partners are AIBI, CITISPA, Crocs, Darlie All Shiny White, Dunlopillo, Heliocare, Kellogg´s, Marigold Yoghurt, Nike Timing, Omron, Pokka, 21st Century and Vitagen Less Sugar. Its partners in sports are Singapore Pools and Singapore Totalisator Board, while the carnival´s venue partner is Marina Square.


MEDIA INVITE

Your journalists, camera crew and video crew are invited to cover the event on 9 September 2007 from 7am at The Esplande. Please send the names and contact numbers of your team coming to cover the event to Pearly Mak (contact details as below) by 7 September 2007, 3pm.


Issued by SPH Magazines Pte Ltd
Co. Regn. No: 1969-00476-M

MEDIA CONTACT
Pearly Mak
Assistant Manager
Corporate Communications
SPH Magazines Pte Ltd
DID: 6319 2336
Mobile: 9765 6704
Email: pearlym@sph.com.sg


About SPH Magazines Pte Ltd

A leading publisher in Singapore and the region, SPH Magazines Pte Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of media giant Singapore Press Holdings Limited.

With a proven track record for sterling editorial content & award-winning designs, SPH Magazines raises the bar as a dynamic magazine publisher. In its stable are over 90 titles in English and Chinese, covering lifestyle, fashion, beauty, society, bridal, health, men´s lifestyle, movies, automobile, parenting, decor, new media and business. All the newsstand publications, including flagship title Her World, and other well-known titles such as Female, The Peak, Home and Decor, Nuyou, Torque, HWM and GameAxis are among the highest-circulating titles and best-read in their respective lifestyle category. In addition, an established editorial unit provides excellent custom publishing services to major corporate clients by producing custom lifestyle magazines, newsletters and other collateral to meet their business needs.

With a vision to continue growth regionally, SPH Magazines is set to become Asia´s publishing powerhouse. It has editorial offices in China, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Magazines in its fold have achieved strong market presence in their respective sectors, as well as distinguished track records and solid reputations.
At SPH Magazines, the promise is to deliver its best to meet the diverse needs and interests of readers and advertisers.


About Shape Singapore
Shape Singapore is the only local monthly mind and body guide for women. It is targeted at smart, affluent and health conscious women aged 20 to 45. It aims to inspire and motivate with its credible and current coverage of health, fitness, nutrition, wellness, beauty and fashion. An advisory panel comprising the country´s leading health experts are on hand to lend their expertise in every issue.