BY 
This International Women’s Day, we shine a spotlight on two remarkable women who embody strength, perseverance, and community in sport: Michelle Seyffert and Preeti Mohan. Both in their 40s, mothers, and endurance athletes, their journeys in running and triathlon are as inspiring as they are empowering.
Michelle discovered running after her second son was born, participating in her first 10K at the 2011 Great Eastern Women’s Run (GEWR). A former soccer player sidelined by ACL injuries, she found a new passion in endurance sports. Her first triathlon followed in 2014, a year after her third child was born. Today, Michelle co-leads the Singapore Women’s Triathlon Club (SWTC), founded in 2019 to create a supportive, non-judgmental space for women to train, ask questions, and achieve together. “The women I’m surrounded by motivate me,” she says. “Seeing what they accomplish reminds me I’m capable of hard things.”
Preeti’s journey took a different path. An engineer and mother of two, she turned to sport after losing 20kg post-pregnancy. Her background in Indian classical dance gave her discipline, but triathlon was a whole new challenge. She completed her first sprint triathlon in the UAE in 2013, confronting fears of open-water swimming and long rides. Moving to Singapore in 2016, Preeti embraced a more competitive racing scene and joined SWTC, helping it grow into a thriving community for women of all abilities. “I tri because it reminds me I’m stronger than I think, both physically and mentally,” she reflects.
Together, Michelle and Preeti have nurtured SWTC into more than just a club—it’s a community. From open-water swim sessions and bike-handling clinics to local races and international events, they provide encouragement, advice, and camaraderie for women from beginners to seasoned triathletes.
Short Q&A
Q: What keeps you motivated in sport?
Michelle: “The women I train with. Their energy and achievements push me to be better.”
Preeti: “Seeing everyday women show up, balancing work, family, and health—it inspires me to keep going.”
Q: Your biggest inspiration?
Michelle: “My kids—they remind me to be the best version of myself.”
Preeti: “Women who persist quietly, consistently showing up. Their resilience matters more than podiums.”
Q: One mantra you live by?
Michelle: “It’s not hard to be kind. Life is hard, sport is hard—but kindness makes the heart lighter.”
Preeti: “Don’t stop yourself from trying something new just because it feels scary. You’ll never know your strength until you step out of your comfort zone.”
From personal milestones to community-building, Michelle and Preeti exemplify the spirit of endurance sports: courage, resilience, and heart. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate women who run, tri, and inspire—one stride at a time.
RUN Singapore had the privilege to be acquainted with these two remarkable women at 2025 Great Eastern Women’s Run (GEWR). GEWR has been an amazing race that has been instrumental in bringing women from all walks of life for an uplifting shared fitness experience.
So now save the date! The 2026 edition returns on 1 November and promises to be bigger and better and bringing the strong sense of camaraderie once again and belonging, created by a vibrant all-women community.
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