SportPlus.sg speaks with two aspiring amateur duathletes, buoyed by newfound self-belief in endurance sports looking to conquer this year’s Marina Bay spectacle
It might sound like a wild idea, but what’s life without a little detour off the beaten path?
You may have just accidentally set yourself some new fitness goals at the start of this year, and looking for ways to keep yourself accountable. Apart from the obvious big events like HYROX and Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon that are way further down the calendar, the Singapore T100 provides a compelling proposition for amateur athletes to test their fitness levels.
And heck you don’t even need to be good at it to begin. With the Singapore T100 2025 less than two months away, there’s no better time to take on that new challenge.
Set to return on 5th and 6th April, aspiring multi-sport athletes will have the chance to take on various races throughout the weekend before some of the world’s best triathletes take on the Singapore circuit.
Off the back of last year’s success, athletes will be able to compete in the 100km Triathlon, the Standard Duathlon, and the Long Duathlon, all available for both individual and team relay participants.
The Singapore T100 follows closely after the MetaSprint Series: Duathlon and Triathlon, offering athletes a back-to-back challenge early in the year.
Helmi Mohamed was one such participant, having conquered both the MetaSprint Duathlon and the Singapore T100 Long Duathlon in 2024.
“Doing the MetaSprint Series: Duathlon made me realize how fun and challenging multi-sport racing is. After that race, I knew I wanted to explore more multi-sport events, and that’s what led me to take on the T100 Long Duathlon,” he shared.
“Racing the T100 Long Duathlon last year really triggered something in me—the need to challenge myself even more. It felt like running a marathon, just on two disciplines. And doing it in the late morning? Brutal. I had cramps all over, but it became a benchmark for me to see exactly where I needed to improve. That experience made me want to push even further.”
Using the MetaSprint Series: Duathlon as his training race, the marathoner managed to figure out his strengths and weaknesses.
“I knew my running was solid, but my cycling needed work, so I made a 12-week program just to focus on the bike. That really paid off, especially when I had to climb Benjamin Sheares Bridge four times during the T100. Without that structured training, I would’ve suffered way more,” he recalled.
The grueling nature of duathlons and triathlons is no secret, but that’s precisely what defines the thrill of competing in them. Nothing quite beats the feeling of crossing the finish line and uncovering potential you never knew was brewing in you. That’s exactly what Jezekiel Samson is looking forward to most as he looks ahead to the race this year.
Emulating Helmi’s journey to multi-sport, Jezekiel, better known as Kiel, is set to take on his first ever multi-sport race this year. After completing his first marathon at the Singapore Standard Chartered Marathon last year, the pride he felt drove him to take up cycling. Before he knew it, he had signed up for both the individual MetaSprint Series: Duathlon and the Singapore T100 Long Duathlon.
“When I saw the T100 Long Duathlon, I thought, ‘This is insane…but what if I actually did it?’ I knew signing up for something big would force me to stay committed. I also love long endurance efforts. The mental battle that comes with it, the feeling of pushing past limits, so T100 just made sense. It scares me, but in the best way possible,” he shared.
Kiel began training for his T100 race in December last year. Now, with just two months until race day, he’s discovered more about himself beyond just his physical strengths. Fueled by his passion for endurance sports, he encourages others with similar interests to take the leap.
“Whether you’re new to multisport or have been doing it for years, T100 gives you a reason to push yourself. It’s not just about the race itself, it’s so much more. It’s about the entire journey. The training, the small wins, the lessons you learn about yourself along the way. And then standing on the start line, knowing how much work you’ve put in. That feeling alone makes it worth it,” gushed Kiel about the race.
Speaking about his preparations so far, he said, “It’s taught me that growth comes from being uncomfortable. I was so used to just running, and suddenly, I had to learn how to pace on the bike, how to do transitions and how to train differently. Some days felt great, and some were frustrating and just exhausting. But showing up, even when it’s tough, is what actually makes you better.”
Having already shattered his personal barriers, Helmi confidently shared why the Singapore T100 is the perfect race for bettering yourself.
“It will be so much fun. You’ll gain so much from it. Plus, you’ll meet new people along the way, and they’ll share tips that will help you improve. The whole journey is worth it.”
Venturing into the unknown is undeniably daunting, but you never know what awaits on the other side. For Kiel, the joy he knows he’ll feel once he crosses the finish line is what gives him the courage to toe the start line.
To anyone still doubting themselves, he shared, “I totally get it. I had the same doubts! Like, what if I’m terrible at cycling? What if I mess up my transitions? But I feel that you don’t have to be great at something to start. Everyone feels a little lost at first, but you eventually figure things out along the way. Just sign up for the race, train as best as you can, and trust yourself. That feeling of crossing the finish line, knowing you pushed through the nerves? It’s worth it.”
If you’re on the fence about wanting to sign up, take this as a sign. Registrations for the Singapore T100 2025 are available here.
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