For many years, the Singapore Marathon was renowned for its intense heat, breathtaking scenery, and sense of community. However, in 2025, it has subtly changed into something else—an ambition-driven engine built around a significantly larger prize pool and a format that feels remarkably athlete-first.
In addition to awarding medals, the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon is generating momentum with SG$335,000 in prize money up for grabs. The revised format is proving to be a motivating and fulfilling opportunity, especially for national runners.
| Category | Prize Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Label Marathon (Men/Women) | US$50,000 each | International elite winners |
| Total Gold Label Purse | US$190,000 (SG$245,955) | Spread across top 8 elite finishers (men & women) |
| National Marathon Champions | SG$10,000 each | Top Singaporean man and woman |
| National Half Marathon Winners | SG$5,000 each | Top Singaporean male and female |
| Masters Marathon Winners | SG$3,000 each | Age 35+ (Singapore category) |
| National Championship Pool | SG$89,000 | Total for Singaporean-specific race categories |
| Total 2025 Prize Pool | SG$335,000 | Includes both international and national prize categories |
The elite US$50,000 top prizes for international winners are not the only noteworthy aspect of this year. It’s because local incentives have been greatly increased by the race. For the first time, national marathon winners with Singaporean passports are eligible to receive SG$10,000 apiece, with equal compensation for men and women. It’s a system that feels just and intentionally inspiring.
The rewards are significant even in the Half Marathon, a race that is frequently regarded as a stepping stone. Although offering SG$5,000 to the fastest Singaporean male and female may not seem revolutionary on a global scale, it is highly adaptable in the local context. It encourages young athletes who are juggling training, family, and careers without the facilities that full-time professionals have.
Soh Rui Yong is one of the few runners who best exemplifies that drive. His 2025 plan is especially ambitious, as he has already won five national titles. He plans to compete in the Half and Full Marathons on the same weekend, followed by a 10,000-meter race at the SEA Games just nine days later. Grit and preparation are both necessary for that type of layered endurance. His intention was remarkably clear when he stated, “It’s part of my longer-term goal of transitioning to ultra distances.”
In addition to the financial benefits, runners like Soh benefit from the new route’s careful design. The elimination of strenuous climbs like Sheares Avenue has significantly improved this year’s marathon course. The new path is streamlined and flattened for speed, and it’s already paying off. The race seems to be more about performance than survival, and runners are reporting much faster times.
It’s a very useful adjustment for both mid-pack runners hoping to earn a spot in international competitions and professionals striving for personal bests. For those hoping to move up the local competitive ladder, a flatter, faster course rewards pacing and preparation.
Serena Teoh, a national half marathon record holder who consistently defies expectations with her tactical prowess and quiet consistency, is one of those with lofty goals. She is accompanied by Aaron Justin Tan, who set a personal best time of 2:35 in Valencia, demonstrating how seriously Singaporean athletes are currently taking this sport.
The organizers of the Singapore Marathon are doing something very novel by combining structural support with substantial prize money: transforming a race into a platform for development. With an additional SG$60,000 committed this year alone, the IRONMAN Group, which currently manages the event, has committed over SG$150,000 in direct support to local athletic funds.
Long-term investments like that say a lot. It demonstrates a purposeful focus on elevating the middle class—creating connections for people with talent but restricted access—in addition to elite victories. Other cities are beginning to examine and model their regional event design after this highly effective model.
And the way this change is being embraced has a very poignant quality. The momentum is evident as more than 45,000 runners are anticipated to compete this year, including over 11,800 from abroad. Not only among professional athletes, but also among regular runners who try different race combinations, win new medals, and pursue minor goals.
Years ago, I saw runners pushing through the last stretch close to Marina Bay with their arms hardly moving and their heads tilted back. Undoubtedly, it was an endurance test, but it was rarely a celebration of potential. It feels different this year. lighter. more deliberate. Particularly, the Double-Up Challenge pushes runners to push themselves during both the Half and the Full. It’s a daring call to shatter barriers rather than bodies.
Singapore has created a race that respects ambition and community through careful planning and unambiguous intent. It may not yet have the crowds of Berlin or the historical significance of Boston, but it does offer something else: clarity of purpose.
