Ronnie came to Baltimore by way of Bermuda after leaving his native Singapore. He began running in 1980 and has been a member of the Baltimore Road Runners Club since 1982. During his running career, he has completed 225 marathons and over 1000 races spanning thirty years. Perhaps best known for his marathon prowess, Ronnie has been a competitive athlete across all distances ranging from track to ultras. One of his goals is to run a marathon in each state, finishing no less than first place in his age group in each one.
Ronnie’s running career has an interesting history to it. As he tells it, when he moved to Bermuda, he was working as a chef and hanging out in discos every night until 4:00 a.m. A friend bet him six shots of whiskey that he could not finish a 10K race. He finished, drank the shots and got hooked on running. So a runner is born! He even ran a marathon in Bermuda the day after his wedding in 1988 and won, making headline news.
In 1990, Ronnie competed as an ultra runner on the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team at New York’s Flushing Meadow Park. In this 1,300-mile race, he was first, having completed 1,177 miles (approximately 65 miles a day). He ran for 14 days, 23 hours, 32 minutes, and 31 seconds, placing as the 4th fastest American and 16th fastest in history. The following year he raced again and ran 1,215 miles placing third, but improved his time to 14 days, 12 hours, 48 minutes, and 25 seconds. At age 44, Ronnie was recognized among the “all time best” 1,000-mile record-holders as reported by the 1999 Ultra Running magazine for his performance in the Sri Chinmoy Ultra Event (NY). He was ranked 5th in America for this 14 day: 12 hr: 48:25 journey and ranked number one in Asia.
He has set personal records in the 1984 Montreal Marathon (2:38:34), the 1984 Chicago 50-Mile (5:56:56), and the 1986 USA Track and Field 100 Mile (17:20:46), placing sixth overall. In 1993 Ronnie placed first overall in a 24-hour USA Track and Field race covering 120 miles. He has consistently won his age group in the BRRC Grand Prix series over many years and, at age 63, Ronnie continues to race at a highly competitive level, winning his age group in local, national and international races across all distances.
The Baltimore Road Runners Club is proud to recognize Ronnie for his outstanding running accomplishments.
Congratulations, Ronnie, on your selection to the BRRC 2009 Hall of Fame!
