New SCSM 17 Heritage Routes For Runners

The organisers of the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) 2017 has announced new heritage routes as well as several entertainment points for race day.

New route showcases the best of Singapore

Said Geoff Meyer, Managing Director of IRONMAN Asia, the organisers of SCSM 2017, on the new route, “This new route showcases the best of Singapore, past and present, and documents the story of the iconic city from its humble beginnings.”

He added, “With the goal of reaching the World Marathon Majors, we felt it was important to showcase the key Singapore icons through a route that is truly a unique representation of this cosmopolitan city.”

The new routes will allow runners to enjoy a historical cultural journey through Singapore as they run past Little India en route to Chinatown, the Malay Heritage area as well as the city centre before being flanked by towering glass structures in the Central Business District.

An improved and safer experience for runners

As well, runners can also look toward to an improved, safer race experience with full road closures over 90 per cent of the route, the most for any race in Singapore.

This is also in line with World Marathon Major standards and offers a better car-free experience for runners too.

Half and Full Marathon categories

The Full and Half Marathon will flag off at 4.30am in the morning and begin at Orchard road and the start pens will remain open till 5.30am.

Runners in the Full and Half Marathon categories will be divided into five main pens, based on their pace. The pens this year will also feature additional entrances to facilitate easy access for runners at all times.

The route for both the Full and Half Marathon will bring runners through the Singapore’s shopping district before turning left to Bugis, Rochor and the Arab Street enclave – new features of the 2017 route.

In the heritage stretch, runners will head past the National Museum of Singapore, the Masjid Sultan Mosque, Old Hill Street Police Station and shophouses on their way to Chinatown and the newly developed DownTown Core – Singapore’s economic heart.

After 12km, the Half and Full Marathon runners will split at Marina Green, with the half marathoners turning towards Marina Bay Sands and the Full Marathoners going into the Gardens by the Bay.

The 5km loop through the Gardens by the Bay also reduces the time spent along East Coast Parkway, making for wider paths and more room for overtaking.

At 35km of the marathon, the route will join back with the Half marathon route before then splitting into separate lanes, 2km from the end. This split will allow faster runners in the Marathon category a smooth finish on their final approach towards the all-new finish line on the Padang.

10km Race

For the 10km Race, this will flag off outside One Fullerton and runners can enjoy a picturesque backdrop of the Central Business District. The route will take runners towards the DownTown Core before looping back to the reclaimed Marina Bay area.

The 10km Race will flag off at 7.15am.

New routes are designed to cultivate a spectator friendly atmosphere for runners and their supporters

The new routes are designed to cultivate a spectator friendly atmosphere allowing friends, family and loved ones to line the route and welcome spectators as they race to the finish line.

Said Meyer, “Since we began organising the race, we have implemented some best practices which have been well received. This year we are building on them by adding entertainment and features which simulate the runners expedience at the World Marathon Majors.”

He continued, “Working closely with partners and government bodies, we are confident that this will be the best SCSM yet, and look forward to the experience, come race day.”