Videographer : Prashan
Photographer : Kenny Lee
Editor : Ng Peiru
Photos taken with the Panasonic Lumix GH-1
Videos taken and presented in HD by the Panasonic HDC-HS700

We caught up with the Eliza Tan, President of the CJC ODAC Team 2010 to find out how she felt about her team’s excellent performance in this year’s National Vertical Marathon. Find out what she had to say…

Eliza Tan Shi Ru – President of CJC ODAC Team 2010

1) What were your timings?

a) Tan Shi Xuan Sarah 14:47.11
b) Eliza Tan Shi Ru 14:07.30
c) Ng Jing Kuang 10:44.41
d) Loau Xuan Yu 10:42.02
e) Goh You Hua Kenneth 10:37.95
f) Quek Wei Yi Amanda 16:03.61
g) Tan Mei Xuan 14:45.96
h) Tay Wen Qin Jared 11:33.17
i) Shreyas Chandrakantha Roo Inna 11:25.91

2) Are you happy with your performance?

Yes, overall we are very happy with our team’s performance, especially the boys, who all came in with timings of 10plus minutes. The girls managed to play a good supporting role to the team too.

3) Would you say it is more of a relief to have defended your title?

Given that our seniors have defended the shield for 6 consecutive years, there was indeed great pressure on us to work hard to continue defending the title as well. Yes, it was a relief to know we defended the title, and we are very glad that our efforts paid off.

4) Which other team was your biggest competitor?

Honestly, we didn’t really know the JCs competing but we knew that for this year, RJC was our biggest competitor.

5) What was running through your mind when you were climbing the stairs?

The mental steroid for CJC ODAC teams is the common memories we share – that really took us through. For us, it is a climb of Gratitude, not only for ourselves, but for our batchmates, our seniors, our teacher, for CJC ODAC.

6) At which storey was the toughest?

It was at the 60-63 storeys. It seemed so near yet so far to the end, as there was actually more than one storey between each floor. It was only after climbing several flights of stairs before reaching the next storey. (Approximately three flights of stairs per storey)

7) Was there any point that you knew your team had a good chance of winning? When was it?

Not really. Everyone had different flag off times so we couldn’t gauge where we stood in terms of timings, whether or not we were slower or faster than any other teams. We just knew we had done our best, and all we could do was wait for the results!

8) What kept you and your team motivated throughout the tough trainings?

The fact that we knew we weren’t doing this alone but with our fellow batchmates as well. By keeping in mind the clear purpose what we were training for, motivated us too – that is to win for CJC ODAC.

9) Was the team that won second place a bonus for CJC?

The 2nd team trained very hard for the competition as well, and their win is as important as the 1st team’s. In fact, we feel that all the teams that we sent in were winners in one way or another.

10) Who or what would you credit your team’s achievement to?

First, we want to thank our teacher, Mr. Isaac Lim, for his constant words of motivation and encouragement that made us desire to do well.

Secondly, ourselves, the entire team, for we gave each other encouragement as well as positive pressure to continue training, to put in our best. Not forgetting all those amongst us who did not get a chance to compete, but nevertheless, unconditionally supported us all the way through.

Thirdly, our seniors from all batches, for they have laid the standards we should aim for.

And, our competitors: because of them, we could make ourselves better.