Is running a marathon on your bucket list? Well, time to strike that off this year (#newyearresolution). For all you marathon rookies and casual runners, there are plenty of fun runs happening if 42-km seems too daunting. But if you’re thinking “go big or go home”, sign up for a challenge at the ultramarathons – yeah! Lace up those running shoes and get ready to start 2015 on the right foot. See you at the finish line!
January
Not quite ready to face a full 42 kilometres just yet? Start the year with something slightly more manageable. Take a walk (or run) on the wild side at the Safari Zoo Run on the 7 or 8 February 2015. Pick between the 6km or 12km courses set through the grounds of the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari. You’re bound to run into a few furry and feathered friends en route! For a great cause, sign up for the Terry Fox Run on the 8 February 2015 at East Coast Parkway where all profits are donated to cancer research.
Brooks Marina Run
February
This Valentine’s Day, skip the box of chocolates, buddy up with the bae and head out on a sunset run at Brooks Marina Run (10km/21km) along the scenic waterfront of the Gardens By The Bay and Marina Barrage. Sign up as a couple and get a discount on the registration fee.
On the 15 February 2015, dress in your quirkiest outfit and walk, run or even dance in the Marina Party Dash 5km fun run! A picnic and concert will be waiting at the finish line, and anyone aged five and above is encouraged to join, so bring the whole family!
March
Up for a real challenge? Sign up for the Men’s Health Urbanathlon on the 1 March 2015. This 14km track is studded with nine obstacles including climbing over a truck and leaping off a two-metre tower. The race is open to both men and women. For the ladies only, there’s the annual Venus Run (5km) on 8 March 2015.
Nature lovers, escape the urban landscape with the Green Corridor Run (8 March 2015), where you’ll run 10.5km through the lush greenery between the old Tanjong Pagar and Bukit Timah rail stations. This year, in conjunction with World Water Day, runners can also choose to carry a recycled jerry can of water all the way to the finish line, and pour their fill into the ceremonial well at the end of the track. Each litre poured will help contribute $1 to the non-profit organisation, donate:water.
Men’s Health Urbanathlon
Join the Runninghour 2015: Run So Others Can on the 22 March 2015, in an effort to support the intellectually or visually impaired. Both the 5km and 10km route also have an optional 1km Blind Run, where you can be blindfolded and experience running without seeing. Scary!
Challenge your endurance and take the Twilight Ultra Challenge on the 28 March 2015 and see how many 5km/10km laps of the racecourse you can complete in the 16-hour overnight marathon!
Earlybirds, the 2XU Compression Run kicks off at 5am from the F1 Pit Building on the 29 March 2015. Every runner gets given two 2XU dry fit singlets, and compression shorts or tights are also on offer at an exclusive runner’s rate.
April
The NTUC Income Run 350 on the 5 April 2015 is South East Asia’s first eco-run, and it’s all about raising awareness about the need to protect the planet. The minimum age is 18 for the half marathon (16 for the 10km), though the little ones can take part in an 800m dash.
The Music Run
Run to your own beat of your own soundtrack in The Music Run on the 11 April 2015. The 5km racecourse will be split into five one-kilometre long music zones (rock, pop, retro, hip hop and dance) with playlists designed by your votes.
May
Mark your calendars for the Energizer Night Race Singapore (2 May 2015) in Mandai and the HomeTeamNS REAL Run (18 May 2015) at Sentosa! Get the kids addicted to the chase too, and sign them up for the 1.6km race or 800m dash in the Cold Storage Kids Run on 17 May 2015. Details on the Meiji Run (23 May 2015) and Pocari Sweat Run (24 May 2015) are coming soon as well, so stay tuned!
June
Registration fees starting to add up? Not to worry, sign up for the No Frills Run (7 June 2015, registration starts from $8) and run for the sheer joy of it! This race strips away all the bells and whistles but the organisers aren’t making any compromises with safety by providing first aid and plenty to stay hydrated.
Sun Down Marathon
July
Can’t face the intense heat? Take part in one of Singapore’s biggest races, the Sun Down Marathon (4 July 2015) at dusk. The night will come alive as an estimated 30,000 runners take to the streets for the full or half marathon, as well as a 10km race and the addition of a 5km fun run this year.
For even more choice over race distances, the Tri-Factor Run on 26 July 2015 gives you four options of a 1km, 5km, 12km and 24km run!
August
On the 22 August 2015, do your bit for charity at the Frost & Sullivan Corporate Challenge Charity Run 2015 (5km/10km) through Macritchie Reservoir. All proceeds will go to Bright Hill Evergreen Home, a voluntary welfare home for the sick elderly.
Tired of just running? Take on a bigger challenge at the Tri-Factor Triathlon on the 23 August 2015!
September
Push yourself to the absolute limit at Craze Ultra (currently scheduled for 5 to 6 September 2015), a 100 mile (160km) run starting from MacRitchie Reservoir. Can’t face the full stretch? Opt for the smaller distances of 43km, 78km or 101km instead!
Run For Your Lives
October
This Halloween, scare yourself silly at the third edition of the Bedok Reservoir Ultramarathon (31 October 2015, date to be confirmed) where you’ll run a minimum of 12 laps of the 4.3km route around the reservoir’s perimeter. Proceeds will go to the Bone Marrow Donor Programme.
Keep an eye out for upcoming details on the annual Race The Dead and Run For Your Lives zombie runs, slated to happen in October as well.
November
Ladies, show off some girl power in the annual Great Eastern Women’s Run. Done this race before? Sign up again and get a great loyalty discount. There’s also the annual Run For Hope, in support of cancer research and awareness.
When it comes to the Swissôtel Vertical Marathon, the only way is up. At the crack of dawn, climb the 1663 (that’s 73 floors!) of one of Singapore’s tallest and greet the sunrise on the roof – it’s worth it. (Dates have yet to be confirmed.)
Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore
December
Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore is considered the marquee event of the Singapore running calendar. End the year on a real runner’s high by spending the first Sunday of December (6 December 2015) running past Singapore’s iconic landmarks including the Esplanade, Orchard and even Sentosa.