Popular Singapore radio personality Mike Kasem joined several other DJs for the inaugural MediaCorp Hong Bao Run on Sunday.
The eight kilometre race is part of celebrations to mark Lunar New Year and attracted about 5,000 participants.
Kasem, who is the son of legendary American radio host Casey Kasem, presents Class 95FM’s PM drive show ‘Cartunes’ with Jean Danker.
Another Class 95FM DJ Bonny Tonelli along with Wallace Ang (Love 972FM), Wang Di Cong (Capital 95.8FM), Chen Ning (Yes 93.3FM), Xie Jia Fa (Yes 93.3FM) D’zar (Ria 89.7FM) and Jaynesh (Oli 96.8FM) also donned their running shoes.
Ahead of the run, Lim Peifen (YES 93.3FM) and Glenn Ong (Class 95FM) pumped up the crowd while local crooners Jack and Rai kept them entertained.
Many of the runners also turned up in Chinese New Year-themed fancy dress outfits, with more than a few Gods of Fortune at the starting line, much to the delight of fellow runners.
Fresh from winning Singapore’s first marathon gold medal at the recent SEA Games in Myanmar, Mok Ying Ren took the men’s title.
The female winner was another prominent local runner, Suzanne Walsham, who also recently won the Empire State Building Run-up for the fifth time.
They each walked away with the top prize purse of US$2,275 (S$2,888) in cash after achieving times of 26:41.59 and 28:34.21 respectively.
But they were not the only big winners on the day as one lucky participant See Hak Loo banked in a whopping US$70,000 (S$88,888) in cash by winning the giant hong bao (red packet) in the MediaCorp Hong Bao Run’s mega lucky draw, which was held after the run.
The 56-year-old storeman’s name was picked from thousands of eligible participants who qualified for the lucky draw by finishing the race.
“I am very surprised and honoured, I feel very blessed by the God of Fortune!” said an elated See. “I don’t know what I’m going to spend the money on but I think I’ll probably give a portion to charity!”
Steven Choo, Chairperson of the Organising Committee added: “This is a truly unique running event where every participant has a chance to bring home a prize just by signing up and we are thrilled by the response. We look forward to a bigger and better Mediacorp Hong Bao Run next year!”