How to Enter the Singapore Marathon

Singapore’s biggest running event, the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM), has become a must for anyone looking to race through the heart of the Lion City, with skyline views, Marina Bay and futuristic gardens along the way. The event holds World Athletics Gold status, the only race with that distinction in Southeast Asia, and is designed to welcome more than 50,000 participants. Its defining feature is that the experience matters more than the clock: heat and humidity are an integral part of the 42.195 km challenge. Usually held in early December, it brings the autumn marathon season to a close.✓ How do you enter the Singapore Marathon? This article has all the essential information.

A weekend of racing with 55,000 participants

The Singapore Marathon takes place over two days every December and attracts a broad field: recreational runners, international participants, elite athletes and an ekiden-style relay. In 2025, the event brought together more than 55,000 runners, including 14,000 international participants from 80 countries, confirming its status as Southeast Asia’s biggest running event.

The race lineup includes several signature events: the marathon (42.195 km), half marathon, 10K, 5K, Ekiden team relay, Kids Dash and even Double Up challenges over the weekend for runners taking on two races in two days. The organiser highlights their achievement in a dedicated ranking.

Since the 2025 edition, the two-day schedule has been redesigned to make the event run more smoothly:
➜ Saturday: Half marathon, 5K and kids’ race.
➜ Sunday: Marathon, Ekiden and 10K.

Entry fees, registration steps, race rules, formats and advice for preparing for the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon.

How do you get a bib for the Singapore Marathon?

For the vast majority of runners, registration is online only through the marathon’s official website. The rule is simple: first come, first served. And because places fill quickly for some distances, it pays to register early. Public registration usually opens in April for the following December’s edition. All entries must be completed no later than one week before race day.

It is also worth noting that specific categories, including Elite and National Championship, do not use the standard registration process and require contacting the relevant members of the organising team.

Other ways to get a bib

Elite Marathon bibs
The Singapore Marathon has a dedicated process for elite athletes: contacting the organisers and submitting proof of performance during a specified application window, with qualifying standards of a sub-2:20 marathon for men and sub-2:35 for women during the period set by the organiser. Full details are available on the dedicated Elite page on the official race website.

National Championship, Singapore
There is a separate registration process for the national championship, with a dedicated link or access details provided by the organisers. It is separate from mass-runner registration and applies to athletes licensed with an athletics club in Singapore.

How much does a Singapore Marathon bib cost?

The Singapore Marathon uses tiered pricing, with entry fees rising over the weeks and months. The organisers publish rates for different periods, such as early bird and last call. For the 2025 campaign, prices started at SGD 137 and rose in stages to SGD 215.

Entries are non-refundable and non-transferable: there is no deferral to a future edition, no official resale and no change of name between participants. The organiser does not allow bib transfers or cancellations, so every purchase is final.

The course and race experience in Singapore

The marathon offers a sunrise tour of the city, taking in landmarks such as Marina Bay, Gardens by the Bay and the National Stadium district before a famous finish in central Singapore. In 2025, the organisers also introduced a revised, flatter course with 215 m of elevation gain, removing some of the tougher sections to improve flow and performance potential. In Singapore, however, the weather and tropical climate remain the ultimate test.

The marathon starts very early, at 4:30 a.m., to limit the impact of the heat. Even so, the humidity can turn the race into a serious endurance test. Managing your pace and hydration often matters more than chasing a personal best.

With generous prize money of $50,000 for each winner, elite athletes return every year to race on Singapore’s roads. In 2025, Uganda’s Abel Boniface Sikowo won the men’s race in 2:15:40, more than five minutes outside his personal best. In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Shuko Genemo dominated in 2:41:24, 20 minutes off her personal best. Those impressive times underline just how difficult Singapore’s climate makes it to race and perform at your best.

Key facts: Singapore Marathon 2026

Date: December 2026, with a 4:30 a.m. start
Participants: 55,000 runners expected over the two days
Total elevation gain: 215 m
Average conditions: 26°C and 85% humidity
The appeal: an immersive destination race
Price: from SGD 137
World Athletics Gold Label

Entering the Singapore Marathon means taking on one of Asia’s biggest running events, a race that is as spectacular as it is demanding. With its World Athletics Gold Label and unique urban experience, it has everything needed for an unforgettable race. The golden rule is to register early on the official website, keep an eye on the changing entry fees and remember that bibs are neither refundable nor transferable. If you are looking for an immersive destination race with no obsession over the clock and a genuine collective energy, Singapore is the one for you.

✔ Find all the Singapore Marathon registration details