
The Stanchart Marathon Singapore is a world-class running experience that attracts top athletes and enthusiastic runners alike. The event takes place on a scenic 42.195km route that winds its way through the city-state's iconic landmarks.
The marathon course starts at the Padang, a historic field in the heart of Singapore, and finishes at the iconic F1 Pit Building. The scenic route offers stunning views of the city's skyline and iconic landmarks like the Marina Bay Sands.
Runners can expect a challenging but rewarding experience, with a net elevation gain of 40 meters. The course is also designed to showcase the city's diverse neighborhoods and cultural attractions.
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Racing Experience
The Stanchart Marathon Singapore promises an exhilarating racing experience for participants of all levels. The 42.2km full marathon route takes runners through the scenic Marina Bay area, offering stunning views of the city skyline.
Runners can expect a challenging but well-supported course, with a total of 5 water stations and 3 aid stations along the way. This ensures that participants stay hydrated and energized throughout the race.
The marathon's unique route features a scenic 2km loop around the Marina Bay area, providing runners with a thrilling experience of racing through the heart of Singapore.
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The Final Stretch
The final stretch of a marathon can be the most challenging, but also the most rewarding.
I was in the same shoes as the runner who wrote about their experience, struggling to finish the marathon despite the GPS issues on their watch. The distance on their watch was completely off, showing 42.2km when they were still a kilometre away from the actual finishing line.
The last two kilometres of the route were down Ophir Road and Republic Boulevard en route to The Float. This stretch can be tough, but it's a crucial part of the marathon experience.
The runner's experience highlights the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. They pressed on despite the demoralizing feeling of being misled by their watch.
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A City Route
A city route can be a thrilling way to experience a new place. The route I ran took me through the main sights and sounds of Singapore.

The terrain was mostly flat, with only a small percentage of slopes along the way - about 5% of the route was uphill. This made it a relatively easy run, even for those who aren't used to running on uneven terrain.
We ran down Republic Avenue and Nicoll Highway, passing by the Sports Hub before heading into the Raffles Place area.
Pacers Catching Up
I spotted the four hour pacers at one of the hydration stations around 30 plus kilometres into the race. This was not good, as it meant I was supposed to stay at least one minute ahead of them if I wanted a sub four timing.
The pacers started at pen C, which had been flagged off one minute apart from my starting point at pen B. This timing gap was crucial to my goal.
I had to spend the rest of the race trying not to let the pacers overtake me. It was a difficult task, especially with my leg muscles feeling progressively tighter with every step taken.
Gritting my teeth and digging deep was exactly what I had to do to stay ahead of the pacers.
Achievements and Community
The StanChart Marathon Singapore has a strong community that supports and encourages runners of all levels. The event has a charity component, with funds raised going towards various social causes.
One notable achievement is the event's consistent growth in participation, with over 30,000 runners taking part in the 2019 edition.
Cheer Stations
The cheer stations were a thoughtful touch by the organisers, providing music entertainment to runners as we passed. They were strategically placed along the route to add some atmosphere to the race.
Some of these stations were particularly well-received by the runners, who appreciated the extra boost of energy and motivation they provided.
Still a Singapore PB
I managed to beat my previous best SCSM timing of 4:30:03 with a finish time of 4:00:09 hrs, which I'm proud to call my new Singapore personal best.
My execution for this race was consistent, with my first half and second half splits being pretty even.
Just 10 seconds separated me from a sub 4 hr timing, which is a small margin that highlights the importance of pacing and hydration during a marathon.
Emcee Ross was waiting for me to finish the marathon and congratulated me on crossing the finish line.
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Great to See the Running Community Engaged
It's great to see the running community coming together again. The SCSM 2022 event felt like old times, with large crowds of like-minded runners.
The pandemic had a significant impact on mass sports events, and it's wonderful to see them back in full form. During the event, not a single mask was in sight.
Jeff Edwards, Managing Director of Asia for the IRONMAN Group, expressed his happiness at seeing the SCSM back in full form. He also thanked Standard Chartered Bank for their support.
The running community enjoyed racing along iconic buildings and attractions of Singapore. The event was a success, and the organizers look forward to the next edition in 2023.
Reviews
The Stanchart Marathon Singapore has received a range of reviews from participants.
The weather is a major concern, with several runners describing it as "hot as hell" and "extremely hot" with high humidity.
Many runners found the route to be "nice" and "awesome", with great views of the city.
However, some runners experienced issues with water stations, with one reviewer mentioning that some stations were out of gel.
The evening start time was a welcome change for some runners, who appreciated the cooler temperatures.
But be warned, the heat and humidity can make the race a challenging one, with one reviewer describing it as "not the race for the faint-hearted".
Additionally, some runners experienced issues with transportation options at the end of the race.
Sources
- https://www.ahotu.com/event/standard-chartered-singapore-marathon
- https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/lifestyle/strong-turnout-over-50000-runners-expected-stanchart-marathon
- https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/lifestyle/standard-chartered-singapore-marathon-draws-over-55000-runners-85-countries
- https://www.activesgcircle.gov.sg/read/the-standard-chartered-singapore-marathon-is-back-2023
- https://www.prischew.com/sports/running/race-review-stanchart-singapore-full-marathon-2022/
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