Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2022

It wasn't planned. It wasn't my initial intention. I enjoy jogging - not terribly, but it's something I like doing. So I googled for marathon in Singapore, I found SCSM which I had no prior knowledge of. I saw the price - it was rather steep, and I hesitated. Knowing any further deliberation would only end with a reluctance to act, I signed up on a whim. Recognising my limitation, I participated only 10 km run.

Runner's pack pick-up day was two days before at MBS. It was simple to retrieve the items. But what surprised me was the size of the singlet - it was terribly small and unwearable even though I picked the size I usually wear. Apparently I'm not the only one facing this as I found out later scores of people complained about it on SCSM FB page.

Never mind, I'll just run with my own singlet.

I had never participated in a marathon before, so I didn't know how it worked.

For SCSM, apparently it's principally managed electronically. The race bib contains an electronic device (a rather bulky one, not just a chip), and it's primary aim is to detect your crossing of its milestones and record the time. They are four race points - the beginning, at about 4.2km, at 7km and finally at the end.

I went alone because all my friends either found it too expensive to participate or were simply not interested. That's fine. But here's the problem - the race began at 0630. I thought I would get Grab and just went early since I was unfamiliar with the whole process and would like to give myself some time margins to explore. But Grab and Gojek were not available - no drivers were around because apparently the demand was too high.

Seeing no other option, I opened LTA app and checked when the first train began operation - it was 0525 at Marymount and 0545 at Botanic Gardens. I calculated and noted I should be able to arrive on time if I went for the train, so I proceeded to the MRT stations. It wasn't like I had other options anyway.

The Circle Line train was empty, but the Downtown Line was packed with people wearing SCSM singlet - apparently everyone was going to the marathon. And I meant packed as sardine-packed. It was crowded. Your peak hour working day kind of crowd.

Arriving at the F1 pit bull, the crowd sauntered. There were a huge crowd moving on a very narrow walkway. Traffic was insane. Thankfully, the rain that poured down earlier had stopped.

I deposited my bag and noted that it was almost around 0625. I proceeded to the starting point. But because I signed up for the E category, meaning I anticipated the time taken to complete the race to be 2 hours to 2 and a half hours and the cut-off time is 2 and a half hours, it meant I was placed at the last category. My category flagged off and ran last. It didn't disadvantage us - the electronic bib in our number bib clocked our time rather than noting our end time sequentially.

I waited for about 20 minutes before category E were flagged off. Two problems - it was too long, and I watched the sky turned from dark blue to orange (the time I began the marathon was 0655); and I regretted not going to the toilet prior and was cursing myself and hoping there were toilets on the way.

Nevertheless, as the marathon began, I must have spent the first 10 minutes or so and the first 1.5km or so trying to cut people. It astonished me that people were walking at the first 1km - I would have begun running but many people were instead strolling. Maybe they didn't participate to jog but rather to attend as a family/friend event, which is fine.

The weather was exceptionally cool and thankfully not humid, probably because of the downpour earlier. I jogged like my life depended on it because this is my first marathon and I wanted to push my limits.

The scenes were nice but I had no mood or time to appreciate it.

Well.

I realised and could feel I performed better during the marathon. Maybe it was the crowd. Maybe it was the weather. Maybe it was the route. Maybe it was the challenge. I wasn't sure what was it, but I knew I ran better.

I jogged non-stop, taking only about five minutes walk after each 2-3 kms. I did not stop for water, or toilet, or anything. I just jogged.

Though, by 8km, I was exhausted. By 9km, nearing the end, I reached a breaking point. I slowed down.

But by 9.5 km, I dashed like madness, because I could see the endpoint.

And cross I did.

It was invigorating. I finished my first 10 km. I actually never ran 10 km before. Even in my normal routine jog, the most I had ever run was 8 km.

We were given a wet towel, a banana, 100-plus, bottled water, Himalayan salt sweets and a few miscellaneous gifts and, most importantly, a finisher's medal.

The time it took me to finish it: 1:07:16. 

I targeted one hour, and I exceeded my time by seven minutes.

I think I'll try again next year. By opting for an early category and resting less, I think I could reach the target.

I'm ranked modestly in the top 30% for men in category 20-29. This will be the last year I stay in this category, and I would like to try to breach my target.

It was nice experience. Memorable in fact, so, I'll probably join again.

The only complaint: muddy field, dirtied my shoes badly. Medal engraving service had an unacceptably long queue.