On Sunday, 9 December some of the top athletes in the world will be competing for a share of a SGD 420,000 total prize purse.
Professional field headlined by marathon winners from around the world, including Kenyan’s Gilbert Yegon and Stella Barsosio
The elite men’s category will see multiple marathon winners headlined by a strong group of Kenyan’s. This includes Paul Lonyangata, winner of the 2017 and 2018 Paris Marathon; Felix Kirwa, winner of SCSM 2016 and Antwerp Marathon; and Micah Kogo who earned a bronze medal in the 10,000m at the 2008 Olympic Games.
Speaking on decision to race in Singapore, Paris Marathon 2017 and 2018 champion Paul Lonyangata said “My decision to come here is so that I could win. I saw (the record) time here is 2 hours 11 minutes 25 seconds, so my aim is to lower that with a record time of 2 hours 10 minutes.”
In the women’s field, Kenyan Stella Barsosio enters the event after a fifth-place finish in Paris and ninth-place finish in Frankfurt this year. Fellow countrywoman, Agnes Kiprop was the winner of the 2018 Hannover Marathon, while Moldovan Lilia Fisikovici will challenge the field after a win at the 2019 Krakow Marathon.
All-new elite wheelchair category promises pulsating action
The SCSM 2018 will see an all-new elite wheelchair marathon category, as a field of 11 elite wheelchair athletes, earning multiple marathon titles and 12 Paralympic medals between them, will race through the heart of Singapore on wheels.
Leading the men’s field is five-time Paralympic medalist Joshua George from the United States of America and Japanese athlete Hiroki Nishida, who clocked a personal best of 1:20:28 this year. The women’s field is headlined by 2016 Rio Paralympics double gold medalist (marathon and 4 x 100m) Zou Lihong (CHN) and Madison De Rozario (AUS) who won the Commonwealth Games Marathon and the London Marathon this year and also claimed Gold at the World Championships over 5,000m.
Impressive group of elite wheelchair athletes to debut elite wheelchair category at SCSM led by Joshua George (USA), Hiroki Nishida (JPN), Zou Lihong (CHN), and Madison De Rozario (AUS)
“I’m feeling great, I’m incredibly excited to be here, racing in a new city, in a new event. We tend to do the same races every single year, so it’s nice to get a new fresh one in. We’ve got a great men’s field here with a nice group of Japanese athletes, some of the top wheelchair racers in the world right now are coming out of Japan and they’re all here to line up on Sunday so that’ll be fun.” said Joshua George (USA).
Singapore’s fastest raring to go
For the second consecutive year, SCSM 2018 will double up as the National Championships – where top local runners will vie to be crowned Champion across four categories – the Men’s and Women’s Open and Masters. Team Singapore athletes such as reigning local winner and double Southeast Asian Games marathon gold medalist Soh Rui Yong, runner-up Ashley Liew and third-placed Evan Chee lead the field, while in the women’s category, Rachel See will look to defend her title against compatriots Mok Ying Rong and 2015 winner Neo Jie Shi.
“I’m glad to have the opportunity to race in this year’s SCSM. I’m excited by the new route and other new initiatives, such as having the wheelchair elite athletes in town. I’ve trained hard and prepared for this race and I hope to be able to cut my time and rank even closer to the leading pack of elite athletes,” said 2017 local champion, Soh Rui Yong.
The region’s marquee race kicks off this weekend
The brand new two-day race format kicks off tomorrow with the Kids Dash at Universal Studios Singapore, the re-introduced 5km category in partnership with the National Steps Challenge and the 10km race. The spectator friendly weekend festival continues Sunday with the Marathon, Half Marathon and Ekiden Relay that takes athletes through one of the world’s most iconic city skylines and past some of Singapore’s iconic landmarks such as Garden’s by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, the Esplanade, the Singapore Flyer, War Memorial Park, Singapore Merlion and Marina Barrage.
“The race has seen numerous improvements in processes across the board, including different initiatives leading up to the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. I would like to thank all runners, partners and stakeholders for the relentless support towards the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon,” said Geoff Meyer, Executive Race Director for Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon and Managing Director of Asia for IRONMAN. “As we continue our work towards creating a globally recognized event, we are developing and growing the running community not only in Singapore but across the region. Our commitment to this has seen new and significant partnerships while creating an unparalleled race experience for participants of all levels and abilities. We’re always looking at bringing something different and improved to the table and we look forward to having spectators coming out to cheer on their family and friends.”
Runners of all skill levels will enjoy a brand new route that includes additional hydration, cooling zones, and 30 entertainment points. The event is open to spectators of all ages with full views of athletes starting, and finishing from the F1 Pit Building and the Float @ Marina Bay. Full spectator information can be found here.
“Every year, the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon inspires our community and enhances the experience of the runners and their supporters. The slew of improvements and additions that IRONMAN Asia has put together this year is remarkable. The concerted effort between public agencies, sponsors, runners, volunteers, stakeholders along the route and IRONMAN has also been superb. We wish all participants and those involved in putting together this two-day running festival a fantastic race experience,” said Lim Teck Yin, CEO, Sport Singapore.
SCSM 2018 participants are reminded to plan their route to the start line. Race participants or members of the public with enquiries about the road closures may call the SCSM Road Closure hotline at 6701 1230.
For information on road closures during the marathon weekend, please visit www.OneMotoring.com.sg
For more information, please visit www.SingaporeMarathon.com
* Adapted from Press Release
