Singapore Marathon selects Anderson Bridge as 2024 finish line and adds philanthropic element

Participants in this year’s Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, held from 29th November to 1st December, can look forward to a new finish line with the race concluding at Singapore’s iconic Anderson Bridge. A philanthropic element has also been added to this year’s Marathon with the introduction of the Ekiden slots for corporates to raise funds for Futuremakers, supporting the young people in Singapore’s communities.

Over 30,000 runners are already registered to date with the highly-anticipated World Athletics Gold Label race - celebrated for its scenic routes and vibrant community participation – commencing at the F1 Pit Building.

The Anderson Bridge is a national monument and is a cherished part of Singapore’s history, with its historical architecture, cultural significance, and engineering excellence.

The race will take in the best of Singapore’s landmarks before runners arrive at the finale at the Padang, which was last used as the finish line venue in 2017. The prime location is nestled in the heart of the Civic District and surrounded by important landmarks such as City Hall, the old Supreme Court building, and the Singapore Cricket Club, offering participants a memorable run through Singapore’s vibrant cityscape.

Anderson Bridge is a key part of Singapore’s colonial history and has played host to public events such as the National Day Parade and the annual Formula One Singapore Grand Prix. It will also offer participants and their supporters the advantage of convenient access with ample public transportation options, as well as an aesthetic setting along the scenic Singapore River, surrounded by iconic landmarks like the Fullerton Hotel and the Esplanade.

Jeff Edwards, Managing Director of Asia for The IRONMAN Group, organisers of SCSM enthused “we are incredibly excited to introduce Anderson Bridge as the new finish line for this year’s Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. With many of our runners repeat participants as well as travellers to Singapore who come just to run the race, our aim is to offer a fresh running experience to inspire them all.

“This iconic bridge, an enduring part of Singapore's history, will offer a picturesque backdrop for our runners as they cross the finish line, and we are confident that this new location will create unforgettable memories for participants and spectators alike.”

Ong Ling Lee, Executive Director, Sports & Wellness of the Singapore Tourism Board advised “once again we take great pride in extending a warm welcome to participants and supporters of the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, the only Gold Label race in the region and a marquee sporting event for Singapore. Both local and international runners and their supporters can look forward to a unique experience that seamlessly blends the excitement of a world-class marathon with the rich historical and cultural tapestry of Singapore. The Anderson Bridge finish line and St Andrew's Cathedral are a few of the many iconic landmarks in the race, offering a memorable experience for our local and international runners and their supporters.”

 Roy Teo, Chief of Industry Development, Technology and Innovation of Sport Singapore, adds "the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon is the largest mass participation sport event, and attracts runners from all walks of life to bond over one of the most popular sports in Singapore. This year, for the first time, runners will finish at the Anderson Bridge, which is gazetted as a National Monument. We look forward to cheering all runners, witnessing race highlights, and inspiring everyone to live better through sport."

New this year
SCSM 2024 will see the re-introduction of the Ekiden Race where teams of five runners will take turns to complete sections of the marathon course, as follows:

Runner               Distance to run*
Runner #1        9.3km
Runner #2        8.3km
Runner #3        8km
Runner #4        14km
Runner #5        2.6km
Total                 42.2km
*Distances are approximate estimations only

In support of the community, Standard Chartered will provide 100 complimentary Ekiden slots on a first- come-first-served basis to corporate teams who commit to fundraise for Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, a global youth economic empowerment initiative, supporting young people in our communities to learn, earn and grow.

Corporate teams are required to create a Giving. sg campaign page with the company's name and set a fundraising goal for supporters to donate. The funds raised from Giving. sg will go towards Community Chest – the philanthropy and engagement arm of the National Council of Social Service – to support Futuremakers-themed programmes and projects.

Patrick Lee, Chief Executive, Singapore and ASEAN, Standard Chartered notes “with 165 years of heritage in Singapore, we are glad to play our part in strengthening our social fabric and bringing our diverse communities together through the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. This year’s race route continues to showcase the best of Singapore's iconic landmarks, featuring the new finish line at Anderson Bridge, a national monument with a rich heritage. We are excited to add a philanthropic element to this year’s race with the introduction of the Ekiden slots for corporates to raise funds for Futuremakers, supporting the young people in our communities."

Another new element this year is that the Kids Dash race will feature two exciting distances: a 600-metre dash for children aged 0-6 years old and a 900-metre dash for those aged from 7-12 years old. Designed to inspire the next generation of runners, the event promises fun and fitness in a supportive and energetic environment, encouraging healthy habits from an early age.

Gearing up for SCSM 2024
As training season approaches for the runners, SCSM will conduct eight community training runs starting from 31st August, led by official race pacers. Singapore Sports Hub and Gardens by the Bay will be the home grounds for all SCSM Training Runs. These are open to the public, with sessions aimed at helping SCSM participants as well as the wider community train for long-distance running and achieve their fitness goals.

SCSM 2024's three-day event will kick off with the Kids Dash on Friday 29th November, followed by the 5 km and 10 km run on Saturday 30th November, while the half marathon and marathon categories will flag off on Sunday 1st December, with Ekiden teams running alongside the marathoners.

This year’s marathon is already generating significant excitement among the running community in Singapore and beyond, including novice runners. An impressive 78% of registered runners are running the marathon for the first time. Moreover, there has been a notable 58% increase in female runners as compared to SCSM 2023. The event has also gained considerable regional attention, with the top four international markets being Indonesia, the Philippines, China, and Malaysia, highlighting SCSM's global appeal.

To register and for more information, please visit singaporemarathon.com/.

Image top: Singapore's Anderson Bridge. Credit: Shutterstock; image above: SCSM 2023