The Straits Times Run in the City 2017 took off early Sunday (July 16) morning with some 5,000 runners took part in the 18.45km race, and 4,000 runners participated in each of the 10km and 5km race.

The 18.45km race which was created two years ago as a nod to the year the national daily was founded was the first to be flagged off from about 5am from the start point on Esplanade Drive.

Kenyan runner James Karanga was the first to cross the finish line in front of the National Gallery Singapore at the Padang in 1:03:54, while Nepalese Nimesh Gurung, 23, came in second in 1:04:09 and Singapore’s two-time SEA Games gold medallist Mok Ying Ren came in 1:04:15.

Mok, who will represent Singapore in the marathon at the SEA Games next month in Kuala Lumpur said:

"I am happy that the race went the way it did as I had been largely focused on preparing for the SEA Games. It was an honest effort today, and I enjoyed racing among some of the very best today."

Kenyan runner Jemimah Wayua Musau, 30, won the women’s race in 1:13.24, ahead of 32-year-old compatriot Naomi Wambui (1:13.56) and Singapore’s SEA Games-bound Rachel See (1:18.32)

The top place of the signature 18.45km competitive race has been swept by Kenyan runners for the third year straight. The champions each take home a Panasonic TV worth $2,999 and $300 worth of New Balance vouchers.

James Maregu, 32, won the men’s 10km race in 33.17 and Belgium’s Vanja Cnops won the 10km women’s race in 38.09.

You can view the race photographs of the Straits Times Run 2017 and check your race result which will be available from Tuesday, 18 July 2017 at The Straits Times Run 2017 website.