From the pool to the recording studio and now the marathon start line, singer-songwriter and former national swimmer Benjamin Kheng is tackling distance running rhythm-first—dropping twin singles engineered specifically for runner cadence ahead of the BYD Singapore International Marathon presented by adidas.
Most distance runners rely on standard algorithm-generated streaming mixes to power through high-mileage weekends. For Singaporean singer-songwriter and former national swimmer Benjamin Kheng, relying on inaccurate curation simply wasn't cutting it.
This October, the musician took matters into his own hands with the drop of two brand-new singles: "Strides" and "Still". Written and produced specifically for the pavement, both tracks serve as the launchpad for an upcoming running-focused EP built around cadence and pacing.
"It’s an occupational hazard," Ben laughs. "Music is such a big part of my running journey. I strictly cannot run without music, so I’m very serious with my playlists—not just the selection, but the tempo and the BPM."
For an athlete who spent his formative years counting pool laps and pacing underwater stroke rates for Singapore's national swim team, dialing into cadence on tarmac proved to be an unexpected hurdle when he transitioned to distance running.
"When I first started running, my cadence was too slow," he explains. "What helped me keep things in check and pick up my turnover was locking onto tracks between 170 to 180 BPM. But sometimes the playlists lie! They claim to be dedicated running playlists, and then the tempo is completely off."
Frustrated by erratic metronomes mid-stride, Ben headed into the studio to craft a solution himself.
"I’ve taken it upon myself to not just curate playlists, but to build the soundtrack. My next upcoming release is actually a running EP where every track sits strictly within ideal running tempo and cadence. It began as a personal project because it was something I genuinely needed for my own training, and I knew my friends who run would appreciate it, too."
Photo: SportPlus.sg / Aldrich Goh
From the Pool to the Pavement: Catching the Marathon Bug
While Ben is no stranger to elite athletic discipline from his national competitive swimming background, distance running was uncharted territory that initially felt out of reach.
"Prior to this, I had all these preconceived notions that so many people carry," Ben admits. "'Oh, I’m not a runner. I can’t do anything more than five kilometres.' The Singapore Marathon was always like a very forlorn dream—very unreached."
The turning point came when his wife began logging miles for a half marathon. Ben laced up his trainers purely to accompany her during weekend sessions, only to find himself completely swept up by the sport.
"I got bit. I got bit by the bug, and I got bit so hard," he says. "I was hooked immediately, and it felt inevitable that I had to push myself toward the full 42.195km distance."
When the opportunity arose to step up as an official ambassador for this year’s Singapore International Marathon (SGIM), there was zero hesitation.
"It was the quickest 'yes' I ever gave," he recalls. "I went straight to my team and said, 'Guys, we have to say yes to this. We have to make it happen.' I jumped into training immediately. I'm super honoured to be here and ready to soak up every bit of the race-day atmosphere."
Photo: SportPlus.sg / Aldrich Goh
Where Rhythm Meets Singapore's Running Culture
Between dialing in weekly mileage and balancing track tempos in the studio, what resonates most with Ben in the lead-up to race day is the sheer momentum behind local running culture.
Across Singapore, run clubs and community crews have reshaped distance running into a social, creative subculture—a movement that aligns naturally with his artistic ethos.
"I think running is beautiful anyway," Ben reflects. "It’s beautiful alone, but it’s even better with people. No matter what you think about run clubs, I’m all for it. To see running collide with culture, with music—the things I care about most—it feels completely aligned."
As thousands of runners count down the weeks to SGIM, Ben sees the event as a celebration of shared discipline and collective spirit across the island.
"It’s about being part of something bigger than yourself," he concludes. "Seeing people from all walks of life come together to celebrate our passion for running, for each other, and for this country—at this exact intersection where sports and culture meet—is the greatest feeling."