According to the organisers of the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore (SCMS) runners can look forward to a new and improved race experience – with new start times and race routes at Singapore’s iconic marathon race.
Flag Off Times
Both Full Marathon and Half Marathon runners will flag off at 4.30AM at Orchard Road. To address congestion issues, there will be waved starts, flagging off runners at fixed intervals based on their running timings.
This means that Full and Half Marathoners will run the first 12KM together under the iconic Christmas lighting of Orchard Road, before the Full Marathoners head into East Coast Park and the Half Marathoners running towards Fort Road.
The Half Marathoners will then proceed towards Merdeka Bridge via Mountbatten Road before hitting the Singapore Flyer. This will provide a scenic backdrop for the Half Marathon runners.
10KM runners will also flag off 30 Minutes earlier than last year – from Esplanade Bridge. They will then run along the picturesque Marina Bay area, southwards towards DownTown Core – a change from the previous years. Then for the first time, 10KM runners will end their race by advancing Sheares Bridge.
The race organisers, Ironman Asia, hope that the new Flag Off times will allow SCMS runners more time to run in the cool morning breeze amidst better capacity controls, and thus achieve better finishing timings.
Details on public transport will be made known at www.marathonsingapore.com closer to the race date.
Pre-Race Logistics
Pre-race, logistical improvements have also been made. To support the wave starts, runners have two Baggage Drop Off points – these are at either Anguilla Road Car Park or *SCAPE along Orchard Boulevard, depending on which is nearer to their designated starting pen.
The designated starting pens will be marked with brightly lit coloured balloons, which are being carried by pacers who will allow runners to meet their target completion times. For the Half Marathon, completion times range from sub 1.5 hours to 3 hours, and for the Full Marathon, timings will range from sub 3 hours to 6 hours and above.
Along the route
Along the race route, runners can expect improvements such as added lanes facilitated by full road closures as well as two new ‘Cooling Zones’ complete with spray mist for a much needed boost and to help them cool their bodies off faster.
Longest water points have also been added, to give runners quicker stops at hydration points and more room to overtake their peers.
Ironman Asia took a holistic and consultative approach to the changes
Said Geoff Meyer, Managing Director of Ironman Asia, on the changes, “When planning the race, we took a holistic and consultative approach, analysing feedback from runners and re-looking the experience from the very moment runners arrive. We are confident that the new route and upgrades will give runners a smoother and better experience.”
Running Clinics
Specially tailored running clinics and workshops are being conducted by professionals, to prepare runners for SCMS 2016.
Registration prices have remained the same
Registration fees for the marathon have remained the same from last year. Standard Chartered cardholders will enjoy 15 per cent off their registration fees. For more information and how to register, check out www.marathonsingapore.com
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