If you tune into Mediacorp 987 every weekday, Joakim Gomez is an electric presence—fast-talking, quick-witted, and carrying enough energy to power an entire radio tower. Yet, on a humid weekday along the meandering waterways of Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, the microphone is off, the airwaves are quiet, and the radio presenter is moving to a rhythm of his own making.
This is Joakim in his stomping ground: unamplified, stripped of the studio lights, and dialing into his own stride.
As part of the Soles of Singapore series for the BYD Singapore International Marathon (SGIM) presented by adidas, we caught up with the familiar voice to trace his evolution from a restless kid to a seasoned marathoner chasing 42.195km through the city.
Photo: SportPlus.sg / Isis Ang
From Track CCA to Fainting in MacRitchie
The affinity with running started early, born out of necessity to channel an inexhaustible reservoir of childhood energy.
"I was a very hyperactive kid. Teachers in primary school asked me to join the running CCA," Joakim recalls with a laugh. "In secondary school, the running bug really bit. I was more of a sprinter back then."
That explosive speed translated quickly to middle distance—clocking sub-10-minute efforts for the mandatory 2.4km fitness run. When a teacher nudged him toward cross-country and longer distances, Joakim’s introduction to Singapore's trail-running rite of passage was dramatic.
"I remember fainting in MacRitchie Reservoir the first time I did it," he admits. But instead of backing off, the grit stuck. The road running habit took root, silently evolving long before fitness trackers and run-influencing became mainstream. "From 2013, 2014, 2015—well before I started posting about it—I was running. Those were the early days."
"If I’m an Ambassador, I Want the Full 42km"
By 2017, organisers approached Joakim to step up as an official event ambassador for the Singapore Marathon. For many public figures, an ambassador bib means an energetic 5km or 10km appearance. Joakim, however, had other plans.
"I didn’t want to be an ambassador and only do 5km or 10km. I wanted to do the full marathon."
Committing to the marathon demanded an entirely different tier of accountability. Joakim linked up with coach Ben Pulham and the team at Coached Fitness, a structured partnership he returns to year after year.
"I learned about heart rate zones, cadence, and different running shoes," he says. "It’s good to train like a pro, but I always remind myself that I am not a pro. I am a leisure runner at best."
Yet, his leisure running packs serious punch. In 2018, Joakim crossed the finish line at 4:12—his closest brush with the elusive sub-4-hour milestone. "I don’t want to jinx it," he smiles cautiously when asked about his current targets. For Joakim, the marathon has evolved beyond mere finish times; it is about self-regulation.
Photo: SportPlus.sg / Isis Ang
The Antidote to an ADHD Brain: No Music, Just Miles
In an era where most runners rely on curated Spotify playlists or high-tempo podcasts, Joakim runs entirely unplugged. No earbuds. No beats.
"I’ve taken running very seriously because it’s a way to silence my ADHD brain," Joakim explains. "I like those long runs where I’m out there for two or three hours, just listening to the sounds of nature. I find my mind really quiets during my runs."
That quest for mental clarity takes shape right across his home neighborhood. Having recently hosted a neighborhood Hood Loops activation for SGIM in his hometown, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park serves as both training track and sanctuary.
"The running scene in Singapore is really bolstered by our park connector network (PCN). It helps that Singapore is compact. But if you’re looking for a nice place to run, taking in the sights and sounds on local routes becomes the ultimate test of patience: whether you can embrace the same paths over and over again without getting tired of them."
Photo: SportPlus.sg / Isis Ang
Surviving the Setbacks: Torn Meniscus to 50,000 Stories
Every marathoner knows the journey is rarely linear. A torn meniscus brought Joakim face-to-face with the fragility of high-mileage training—a chapter he chose to share publicly rather than sweep under the rug.
"I shared my vulnerabilities and injuries because hopefully, an everyday person can relate. Seeing a guy they know from TV or radio injured and struggling might motivate them to keep trying when their own setbacks hit," he reflects.
"I get genuinely happy when people tell me I inspired them to lace up. You don’t need to be an elite runner to enjoy this sport."
As Singapore's running culture flourishes post-pandemic—fueled by welcoming run clubs, stronger running etiquette, and community-driven street crews—Joakim looks forward to the camaraderie that takes over the streets every December.
"Come marathon weekend, 50,000 runners will be on that starting line," Joakim says. "And 50,000 unique stories will be told."