1st December 2024, the Singapore marathon is always the much anticipated race for the nation as it marks the year end. Somehow, now the Sundown Marathon is no longer in action, maybe the sign up rate is low and also the transport after race can be a problem.
This time I did not sign up the race because the Standard chartered marathon Singapore is really getting more and more expensive. The full marathon bib cost about S$119 and it includes one medals two shirts and the race experience. I got the free bib from a MR25 runner who happen to fracture her leg before the race. I got to know about it and decided to take over the despite really quite tired to run anymore after the mud fest just two week from this race.
Website: https://www.singaporemarathon.com/
There are other categories 5km, 10km and half marathon. There was also a kids dash the on the Friday evening of the week too. The good thing is that Ironman company have taken over the organisation of this race, there is some standard and also organisation is much better.
Bib Collection
The bib collection is at the Marina Baysands Expo. This time its at the basement of the exhibition centre. The collection was very fast and there were many booths for collection for all categories, you could see many participants from different countries coming to join. The expo is rather vibrant with many vendors selling sporting goods, however the setting is rather winding, making it quite giddy to go through and if you want to go back to the previous vendor , you have to fight the crowd. However, the goods sold in the expo are very vast and many good brands too.
The name board for all categories are also available on at the expo and many people keep taking pictures with their names with bibs and also stand boards for the marathon. I begin to pick up some excitement to be able to join this race, despite feeling rather fatigue from all my races prior to this.
Race Proper
Race Start line
The flag off was on Sunday 1st Dec from the F1 pit, there were acutally a few pens which means that runners go in waves. The first wave off is 4:30 am and 5min gaps all the way 6 waves , last wave leaving at 5am. I decided to go with the wind and mood for this one, just to enjoy the process, not my usual style for road races. I always get very stressed about road races that I need to do a certain timing. However, this time I am in the trail mode for this race, and I thought I will start like 6 min pace. And maybe try to maintain it throughout and enjoy the water point.
Early morning 04:00am!
I must say this race compared to 2014 where it was my last time doing the Stan Chart in Singapore, this race was really enjoyable, breaking up the different categories to different days and also the different waves make it more spaced out and less crowded for the race. There were only 2 parts where the slopes were prominent mainly at the Sheares bridge part and the West coast high way.
Raymond san helping to volunteer
separate with richard at 25km
The beginning of the race is mainly in the city area, then we branch into East Coast park which they closed the serviced road, making it very conducive to run. Then its back to city area again before heading into the West Coast Highway, I personally feel the West Coast Highway should go first because it is more barren and East Coast Park has more shades from the trees.
Met Shafiq
There were many people feeling the heat exhaustion on the West Coast Highway and some were sitting down by the road side to rest. In fact, this time round someone fell dead after the race. Authorities did not mention the victim, but he apparently passed away after running finish his 21km.
Jane, the xiao mei at start line
Home run
After coming down the bridge which left maybe 2-3Km will be towards the final home run to the Anderson Bridge, which is now closed to traffic. I must say running through the colonial style bridge does give you a exhilarating feeling. And the finish line was not too crowded despite the crowd. The finishers were then ushered to keep moving forward to receive the medals and entitilements like water, banana and ice cold towel. The finish expo at the Padang is also much more impressive compared to last time. The grass itself is already trimmed and somehow it is not as muddy as compared to last time.
Getting my medal
Runners entitlements
There were many booths, for photo, recovery, sporting goods. The atmosphere was very vibrant and exciting. Beside cameo moments, I got do do an ice bath, got some free sports gel and also got free fresh coconut juice. It was really a nice carnival to be in. For this race, we were given the medal and finisher shirt for those who managed to finish the race. I did a simple 04:31hr marathon. Maybe its time to get back to road races seriously.