As the global appeal of overseas marathons increase, SportPlus.sg highlights the importance of building a marathon culture locally and the risks for our running community if we do not look beyond ourselves
In 2022, SportPlus.sg first highlighted local run crew The High Panters (THP)'s work in a feature story at Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon for their support of local runners during the marathon weekend and bringing runners together regardless of their run club affinity. Read: Cheering Runners On and Bringing the Local Running Community Together
THP are arguably the oldest standing run crew and one of the OGs that started doing full-day marathon progamming for Singapore Marathon weekend.
With Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2024 just days away, we invited Sofie Chandra, founder of Happy Pace Club, a run captain at adidas Runners Singapore and The High Panters to share her thoughts with us on Fit Talk podcast about the importance of building a marathon culture in Singapore.
Despite increased exposure to overseas marathons for Singapore runners, the marathon culture in Singapore falls somewhat short of the race experience that many overseas marathons have to offer.
This poses a real threat to participation in local races if the trajectory continues, with current trends suggesting many Singapore runners prefer to head overseas for their marathon experiences, with run-cations more appealing than taking part in some of the smaller Singapore running events.
While overseas races can be awesome, here we discuss why building a marathon culture within Singapore is equally vital for the running scene's longevity - from better social cohesion and inclusivity, to fostering the growth of the running community, creating opportunities for non-runners, economic development, providing a platform for local talents, and creating a strong national identity.
When asked what inspired her and The High Panters to be one of the pioneers of building marathon programming in Singapore, Sofie shares: "Every city I've gone to race, the marathon programing - the fringe activities surrounding the marathon before it happens, is so vibrant and dynamic. Whether it is independent run crews, or if it's brand-led, shakeout runs, it's always something for everyone and anyone."
She added: "I do feel Singapore has grown over the years and we do see a lot more cheering. With THP, we started cheering for many years now - and it's been an amazing journey even for us, from when we started doing the cheer zone and how it's grown."
"When I did my run in my first overseas race and I felt the energy throughout the race, I took that feeling and I came back and I thought we really need to make our cheer zones even better than what we've been doing. So cheering has always been a huge thing for The High Panters and obviously for Happy Pace Club as well."
So what are The High Panters and Happy Pace Club planning to do during SCSM2024 that reflects those efforts? Sofie takes us through some of the exciting fringe activities and activations that runners can look forward to in the lead up to the marathon itself:
From an all-crew shakeout run on Saturday morning involving six run crew - The High Panters, Happy Pace Club, Run.JPG Run The Last, Big Boyz Run Club and SG Front Runners, to an all-women's panel featuring Ultramarathoner and Guinness World Record Natalie Dau, Singapore athlete and national record holder Vanessa Lee and fitness influencer Shannon Taylor Wong, to a Project 1000: Documentary premiere and cheer signage making pre-event, to a post-marathon party where runners can get their medal portraits done with music, and free beer; there is plenty to look forward to.
Sofie explains: "We started doing parties for a couple of years now with a DJ and food and we also do medal portraits and entitlements - if you show your medal you should be proud that you get that medal, afterall you've trained so hard for it. Overseas you wear the medal with pride, but here in Singapore everyone is embarrassed to wear it out."
Building Singapore's Marathon Culture
Building a marathon culture in Singapore, and supporting local races through cheer zones and fringe activities, is important for several reasons that contribute to both the health of the community and the overall vitality of the sports ecosystem.
Here are eight reasons why it matters:
1. Community Engagement and Stronger Social Cohesion
Fostering Community Spirit: Cheer zones and fringe activities create an environment of camaraderie and shared experiences. When we gather to support participants, it builds a sense of unity and togetherness, making marathons a celebration for the whole community, not just the runners.
2. Accessibility and Inclusivity Fosters Cross-Generational Participation
The culture of marathons promote inclusivity across age groups, from kids in fun runs to older adults in various race categories. Fringe activities that are family-friendly make the event accessible to all and not just fast runners or those who are competing for time.
3. Volunteerism Creates Social Impact
Marathon events rely on volunteers for support, and the culture of supporting races builds a strong volunteer community, instilling a sense of pride and service to the local community.
4. Supporting Local Economy and Tourism
Marathon events, including fringe activities beyond just the race expos create business opportunities for local vendors and entrepreneurs, as well as budding artists and creatives who are seeking opportunities to develop their craft to become better talents for Singapore.
5. Promoting Singapore as a Sporting Destination
A thriving marathon culture can position Singapore as a destination for international athletes and better events. It enhances Singapore's reputation for hosting world-class events, contributing to overall tourism and global recognition.
6. Developing Local Talent and Providing Opportunities for Growth
Supporting local races creates a platform for aspiring athletes to develop their skills and gain exposure. Local marathons and races are essential for building the foundation of a competitive sports culture and potentially grooming elite runners who can represent Singapore in international competitions.
As our marathon culture evolves, so does the infrastructure and training programs available to athletes. Singapore's sports sector, through its investment in marathons and related activities, can create sustainable development opportunities for sports professionals and coaches.
7. Creating Opportunities for Non-Runners and Fan Engagement
Having more engaged spectators through enhanced cheer zones provide essential opportunities for non-runners - be they friends or family - to better understand what running and marathons are about. This allows them to actively engage with the race, encouraging participants with loud cheers, high-fives, and supportive messages.
This not only boosts morale for runners, but also makes the experience more festive and interactive for the spectators, providing a lasting impression on the positive impact from running that they in turn can pass on to the next generation to pursue healthy living.
8. Strengthening Singapore’s Long-term Sporting Legacy
Building a strong marathon culture, with local races such as the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon as key features, positions Singapore as a key player in the global sporting community. As other international marathon events continue to grow in prominence and draw athletes from across the globe, a thriving local culture around such events is critical for Singapore to remain competitive and attracts more global attention on the running and sporting front.
When a city hosts successful marathons and races over time, it leaves a legacy for future generations to do the same. Our youth are inspired to take part in sports, be it in high performance or simply to better themselves.