Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ 2025 kicks off in new format: Half Marathon, 5km and Kids Dash runners bring the city to life!

The Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ (SCSM) 2025 kicked off an exhilarating weekend with runners taking to the streets in the Half Marathon, 5km, and Kids Dash categories, transforming the heart of Singapore into a vibrant celebration of community and athletic achievement.

With its inspiring tagline “Make That Finish Line Yours”, this year’s event introduced a new two-day format, driving participation to new heights. Against the backdrop of Singapore’s most iconic landmarks and lush cityscapes, runners coloured the streets in blue and green with SCSM’s signature singlet.

Runners in the Half Marathon took off at 4:30 am and embarked on a 21.1km journey from the F1 Pit Building, passing landmarks such as the National Stadium, Esplanade, and Marina Barrage before finishing at the historic Padang. The 5km route, which flagged off at 6:30 am offered a scenic sprint through Suntec City, One Fullerton, and Anderson Bridge, blending modernity with heritage at every turn. The day concluded on a joyful note as the Kids Dash, which started at 9am, lit up Connaught Drive with laughter and cheers. Young runners (aged 12 and under) supported by family and friends, took on the 800-metre dash with great vigour before collecting their finisher medals — a proud moment for future champions.

Jeff Edwards, Managing Director of Asia for The IRONMAN Group, said: “We are proud that the event continues to be popular year after year. It has firmly established itself as one of the region’s most iconic sporting events. Today’s turnout reflects the passion and resilience of our running community. It’s inspiring to witness runners pushing their limits and families sharing in the joy of sport. We are proud to deliver an event that unites people in celebration of Singapore’s vibrant sporting culture.”

Race Results

Half Marathon

The National Championship Half Marathon started the day on a high note with outstanding performances.

Soh Rui Yong crossed the finish line first with a time of 01:14:58 whereas Nicole Low finished the race with a time of 01:23:45.

Soh Rui Yong completes the race with a strong final push

National runner Soh Rui Yong shared that this weekend’s races serve primarily as a test run as he prepares for upcoming ultramarathons and longer-distance challenges.

“This weekend is more of a test run for me for ultramarathons and longer races. I told myself not to go crazy today — just accelerate slowly — and I was fine even if I didn’t win. For tomorrow, the priority is getting enough sleep and recovery. I’ve received numerous warnings about my health and safety, so I wanted to prioritise that first. I wear a heart-rate monitor to make sure it doesn’t go too high. I’m not used to running this fast because I usually race the marathon, where the pacing is more controlled over a longer time.”

He added that the final stretch gave him a boost: “Between 19 and 20 kilometres, I was able to pick up the pace.”

Soh also credited the field for elevating his performance. “Overall, I feel everyone hit their personal best today. That motivated me to go hard as well.”

Reflecting on the double-race weekend, he said: “I’ve not run many half marathons, so this was quite new to me. Running the marathon tomorrow won’t be too bad — it’s a good way to test my progression as well.”

Nicole Low celebrates after crossing the finish line

Speaking after the race, Nicole Low said: “I’m happy with the win. I didn’t expect it and didn’t know I had it in the bag until the final kilometre, so crossing the line first was a great feeling.”

She added that: “More importantly, it’s a good fitness gauge as I gear up for the SEA Games. It was a good, hard session that shows where I’m at in my preparation. Right now, my training is very focused on building speed and speed-endurance since I’ll be competing in the 5000m. I’ve been doing two longer sessions, including 3×5km and a 15km tempo run in the lead up to today’s race.”

Non-Competitive Half Marathon category

In the Male Non-Competitive Half Marathon, first-time SCSM participant Tiiseto Sabata, a 22-year-old runner from South Africa, came in first, with a timing of 01:11:01. Delivering an impressive performance on Singapore’s iconic course, Sabata shared his excitement about racing in the city for the first time, saying: “I really liked the flat course, and it was lovely to run on. Coming from South Africa, the weather conditions back home are definitely kinder to the body than here, but I came into this race hoping I could run with Singapore’s national champions. I even studied some of the local runners, like Soh Rui Yong, to see if I could be in the same stride as them.”

“Being here for the first time at SCSM, was an amazing privilege. I got a personal best and I feel like I unlocked something deeper within me. I’m really happy with my performance today. It gives me confidence that there’s more to come.”

Leanne Szeto from Hong Kong came in first in the Female Non-competitive Half Marathon with a timing of 01:26:16. On what carried her through the run, she noted her regular training, saying, “Confidence doesn’t come from feeling ready but knowing that I have done the work consistently.”

Commenting on the event, Mr Alan Goh, Chief Executive Officer at Sport Singapore, said, "It is truly heartening to witness the overwhelming participation in the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon year after year. Beyond being an annual sporting event, the SCSM embodies Singapore’s passion for running. It unites athletes, supporters, and volunteers in celebrating the spirit of sportsmanship and resilience on our very own shores. Watching participants push through challenges of varying kinds and cross the finish line is deeply inspiring.”

“Each year, at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, we welcome passionate runners from around the globe, and this year’s event was no exception. The race offered participants a unique way to experience Singapore, through a scenic route that showcased our heritage architecture, waterfronts, lush green spaces, and dynamic city streets. Events like this not only strengthen Singapore’s appeal to international visitors but also highlight the vibrancy of our city and its ability to host large-scale sporting experiences that leave a lasting impression.”, said Ms Jean Ng, Assistant Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board.

Kids Dash – The debut stage for future track superstars

Following the competitive morning events, families took centre stage with the fun-filled Kids Dash and Kids Village, which featured bouncy castles, popcorn, cotton candy, and family activities that made the event more than just a race.

Young runners were treated to race-day entitlements including a running tee, drawstring bag, tumbler with stickers, official race bib, and a finisher medal keychain.

Hundreds of young runners laced up for the Kids Dash this year. From toddlers to pre-teens, the atmosphere was electric as parents cheered from the sidelines, creating unforgettable memories for the little ones and inspiring future champions.

Santoz Kumar, General Manager of The IRONMAN Group, said: “As organisers, we have continuously evolved the Singapore Chartered Singapore Marathon to deliver an exceptional race experience that encourages every participant to perform at their best. Celebrating our 10th year of organising this iconic event, our mission has always been to create unforgettable moments for individuals, families, and the wider running community, both within and outside Singapore. Today, we witnessed thousands of runners cross the finish line across multiple race categories, and that fills us with immense pride. It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about the stories of resilience, joy, and achievement that unfold with every stride.”

He added, “This year’s new two-day format also allowed us to introduce the Double Up Challenge, giving participants the chance to run on both days. That makes it a true test of endurance that pushes athletes beyond their limits. We can’t wait to see how they rise to the challenge tomorrow with the Marathon, Ekiden, and 10km happening tomorrow.”

Patrick Lee, CEO, Singapore and ASEAN, Standard Chartered, shared, “As title sponsor for over two decades, each year, we witness incredible talent and inspiring stories unfold, and people from all walks of life challenging themselves. This year, we continued our commitment to building that inclusivity by offering complimentary race entries to members of Special Olympics Singapore among other community organisations. For many, crossing the finish line is not just the end of a race, but the realisation of a dream. We’re honoured to be part of that journey.”

Singapore’s weekend-long marquee running event continues its excitement with the Marathon, Eikden, and 10km race categories tomorrow, on 7 December 2025, promising an unforgettable experience for all runners.