Start line of my Marathon

They say the first step is the hardest, but after crossing the finish line at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) 2025, I think the last 5km might give that saying a run for its money!

My body gave way after 16 km as I kept walking


I set a big goal for myself this year: complete a half marathon (21.1km). Not only did I finish, but I managed to clock in at 2 hours and 5 minutes.

The Race Experience

While I was aiming for a sub-2-hour finish, I missed it by just a few minutes. At first, I was a little disappointed, but looking back at the journey, I’m incredibly proud.

My finisher medal


The atmosphere at SCSM this year was great. I’ve found that I actually love the marathon environment. The adrenaline lasted for days and even now, I find myself watching race highlights on YouTube just to feel that “pump” all over again! There were also lots of audience and cheers on the street for the runners and they did give me the strength when my body gave way in the 2nd half of the marathon.

My Take on SCSM 2025

I know there have been many posts about the congestion when collecting post race refreshment but that only happened when after the 5km run had ended (Together with those who ran slower than 2hr 15min for half marathon). However, because of my pace, I had a very smooth experience.

I rank slightly less than 2000, so I suppose there are 2000 people in front of me


The Sweet Spot: If you finish under 2 hours and 15 minutes, the organization felt top-notch. There are probably 15-20k runners after me.

Drinks that’s soaked in ice after the run


The Pacing: There were a few stretches that felt a bit cramped, but that was actually where I managed to overtake the 2:15 pacer, which felt like a huge win at the time. I saw the 2hr pacer on the other side of the road but failed to overtake them.


The Vibe: Everything from the hydration points to the crowd support kept me going.

What’s Next? The Road to 2026

This wasn’t just a one-off goal; it’s the start of a much bigger journey. My roadmap for 2026 is already starting to take shape:
Chasing Sub-2: I have already signed up for 2XU 2026. I plan to run a few more half marathons to finally break that 2-hour barrier.

Signed up 2XU


The Ultimate Goal: All of this is practice for the big one—my first Full Marathon (42.2km) by the end of 2026.

I’ve caught the running bug, and I’m not looking back. See you on the track!