More than 50,000 runners from all across the globe are set to take to the streets of Singapore for the 17th edition for the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) this weekend, including Paralympic champions and elite marathon winners.

The leading Mass Participation Run in South East Asia, the SCSM has brought runners unparalleled running experiences against one of the world’s most iconic city skylines and past some of Singapore’s iconic landmarks such as the Gardens by the Bay and the Esplanade.

Over the years, the event has been the catalyst in growing the local and regional running community, by bringing together about 50,000 professional, amateur, avid and leisure runners, each year.

Happening on 8th and 9th December

And this year, taking place on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th December, South East Asia’s only IAAF Gold Label race will be happening over two days this year, with a new 5km distance, in addition to the existing Kids Dash, Ekiden, 10km, Half Marathon and Full Marathon categories.

Explained Geoff Meyer, Executive Race Director of SCSM and Managing Director for IRONMAN, “We are incredibly excited to bring a brand new two-day event format to go with a new course design and all-new 5km distance.” 

Kicking off SCSM 2018 will be the Kids Dash at the Universal Studios Singapore and the re-introduced 5km category in partnership with the National Steps Challenge Singapore. The 10km race will also be taking place on Saturday, too.

This will be followed by the Half and the Full Marathon, both of which flag off from 4.30am on Sunday morning.

A Diverse Field of Runners

Amongst the 50,000 runners participating in the race, SCSM is also bringing a diverse field of athletes aged one to 88 years old, hailing from 127 different countries.

Out of these, 64 per cent of the registered runners are male and 36 per cent are female, with 35 being the average age of all registrants this year.

And added Meyer, “We look forward to taking this event to the next level and would not be able to do so without the support and partnership of Sport Singapore, Singapore Tourism Board and Standard Chartered Bank. We look forward to welcoming the 50,000 runners to this incredible place and showing Singapore off to the world.”

Singapore is the most represented nation with more than 23,000 runners, followed by Malaysia (4,905), India (3,632), China (2,556), Philippines (2,545), Japan (1,967) and Indonesia (1,758).

Additionally, more than 1,200 runners also come from as far away as the United Kingdom, as well as from other countries like the United States, South Africa, Israel, Brazil, Ecuador, Estonia and Honduras, to compete in SCSM.

And runners can look forward to more than 30 entertainment points throughout the course, including performances by local bands, street performers and cheerleaders, to amp up the energy levels and spur on runners.

There will also be more than 4,000 volunteers to make the SCSM a success, helping out at points such as marshalling along the course, the aid stations and at the baggage deposit locations.

And with 58,500 bananas, 147,000 litres of water and 49,000 litres of isotonic drink, runners’ hydration and fuel needs are being well taken care of during their respective races, too.

Track your loved ones via the Live App

And friends and family can support their loved ones and track their progress with the new and improved live app that can be downloaded for free on the Apple and Android app stores. 

Designed in partnership with Tata Consultancy Services, the app offers unparalleled tracking capabilities and real time updates of each participant’s progress by keying in their names or bib numbers.

Marathon Elites Taking Part

While SCSM is a mass participation event, the highlights of SCSM 2018, however, is still the Marathon Elite category, which will field Paul Longyangata, 2018 Paris Marathon champion, as well as Marathon Wheelchair athletes like five-time Paralympic medallist Joshua George and 2016 Rio Paralympic gold medallist, Zou Lihong.

From Team Singapore, Rachel See and Soh Rui Yong will be defending their titles against more than 20 Team Singapore runners like Ashley Liew and Neo Jie Shi. They will flag off with the elites and vie for their chances to be crowned National Champion and earn their share of the total S$420,000 prize money.

Qualify for the Inaugural Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group Championships

While the rest of us can probably never hope to match these elites, SCSM runners who are aged 40 and above, however, can aspire to qualify for the inaugural Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group Championships, which are being held as part of the Virgin Money London Marathon in 2020.

Launched this September at the 2018 BMW Berlin Marathon, the Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group Championships gives SCSM runners the chance to not only run in one of the world’s most sought-after races, but also gives them the chance to represent their countries with pride and passion.

Participants in the Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group World Rankings qualifying races such as SCSM, will earn points according to their age, time and gender, aligned with the following age group categories for men and women: 40 – 44, 45 – 49, 50 – 54, 55 – 59, 60 – 64, 65 – 69, 70 – 74, 75 – 79 and 80+.

Fun and Festivities Begin Today

But the SCSM fun and festivities do not just start on race day, though.

Rather, there will be a week-long celebration that starts today, 5th December, at the Race Entry Pack Collection, where you can spend your day interacting with more than 130 brands, learning more about running and nutrition as well as taking part in VR and AR challenges whilst being the first in Asia to try on an all-new shoe by apparel sponsors Under Armour.

Opening Hours

The pack collection is open from 4pm – 10pm today, from 10am – 10pm on Thursday and Friday, and 9am – 7pm on Saturday, at the Maria Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre.

As well, runners can look forward to an all-new food & beverage offering at the Marina Bay Waterfront, which will bring both runners and members of the public, a combination of tasty meals and entertainment from 6th – 9th December. There will be a myriad of foods ranging from burgers to meatballs, with food prices being set from an affordable S$5 and above.

For More Details

Head over to www.SingaporeMarathon.com for more details.

1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th and 7th photos are courtesy of IRONMAN Asia.