Meta description: Discover the key takeaways from the Singapore Marathon 2025: winners, race recap, new two‑day format and practical tips for racing in hot and humid conditions.

Singapore Marathon 2025: race report, results and new course format

The first weekend of December turned Singapore into a running festival. Thanks to a new two‑day format that separated the half marathon from the marathon and attracted more than 45,000 participants from around the world, the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2025 (SCSM 2025) took place on 6 and 7 December. The city’s heat and humidity did not prevent outstanding performances: Uganda’s Abel Boniface Sikowo and Ethiopia’s Shuko Genemo claimed the elite titles, while local hero Soh Rui Yong achieved a historic national double by winning the half marathon and marathon championships within 24 hours.

Key facts about the Singapore Marathon 2025

• Date and schedule: SCSM 2025 was held on Saturday 6 December (half marathon, 5 km and Kids Dash) and Sunday 7 December (marathon and Ekiden), with the long‑distance races starting at 4:30 a.m.
• Participation: more than 45,000 bibs were allocated, including over 11,400 international runners, making it one of the largest running events in Southeast Asia.
• Course: the marathon started at the F1 Pit Building, visited the National Stadium, Suntec City, the Marina Bay district, Gardens by the Bay and East Coast Park before returning downtown to finish at the historic Padang. The half marathon used a similar but shorter loop.
• New features: for the first time the distances were split across two days. Sections with steep climbs, such as West Coast Highway and Sheares Avenue, were removed to create a flatter, faster course. Extra hydration points and a cooling zone with chilled drinks and ice pops were added to help runners cope with the warmest stretch.

Men’s race recap

The men’s contest assembled a deep African field. Uganda’s Abel Boniface Sikowo defended his 2024 title despite nursing an Achilles niggle, crossing the line in 2:15:40. He held off Kenyans Mathew Samperu (2:15:46) and Wisley Kimeli (2:15:53) after a tactical battle that saw the podium decided by seconds. The top ten underscored the depth of the race, with six African runners under 2 h 20 min.

• 1st – Abel Boniface Sikowo (UGA): 2:15:40
• 2nd – Mathew Samperu (KEN): 2:15:46
• 3rd – Wisley Kimeli (KEN): 2:15:53
• 4th – Mathew Job Chekwurui (UGA): 2:16:08
• 5th – Laban Kipngetich Korir (KEN): 2:17:20
• 6th – Mica Kiplagat Cheserek (KEN): 2:17:40
• 7th – Moses Kibet (KEN): 2:19:20
• 8th – Munyo Solomon Mutai (UGA): 2:20:07
• 9th – Kodai Ogawa (JPN): 2:24:53
• 10th – Yuma Morii (JPN): 2:29:44

Women’s race recap

In the women’s field, Ethiopia’s Shuko Genemo erased the memory of her 2016 wrong turn and triumphed in 2:41:24 – her best time in Singapore. Kenyans Rodah Jepkorir Tanui (2:41:33) and Faith Chepkoech (2:41:39) sprinted for second and third, highlighting how close the battle was. Once again Singapore’s climate slowed times but not excitement.

• 1st – Shuko Genemo (ETH): 2:41:24
• 2nd – Rodah Jepkorir Tanui (KEN): 2:41:33
• 3rd – Faith Chepkoech (KEN): 2:41:39
• 4th – Dalila Abdulkadir Gosa (BRN): 2:42:13
• 5th – Viola Jelagat Kibiwot (KEN): 2:42:58
• 6th – Sharon Chelimo Arusho (KEN): 2:43:16
• 7th – Emily Chepkemoi Arusio (KEN): 2:43:34
• 8th – Yezna Mekonene Ademasu (ETH): 2:43:48
• 9th – Sharon Jemutai Cherop (KEN): 2:45:06
• 10th – Rachel See (SGP): 2:58:15 – national champion

The national challenge: Soh Rui Yong’s double

Beyond the international winners, the big local story was Soh Rui Yong. Singapore’s leading marathoner took on the Double‑Up Challenge – made possible by the new two‑day format – and became the first athlete to win both the half marathon and marathon national titles in the same weekend. He ran 1:14:58 in Saturday’s half marathon and, despite fatigue, returned on Sunday to clock 2:46:23 in the marathon, claiming his sixth consecutive national title and finishing 16th overall. He later explained that the pre‑dawn start times disrupted his sleep and required careful nutrition to recover in less than 24 hours.

The challenge attracted more than one hundred local runners who also signed up for the half + marathon combination. Prize money of SG$89,000 was on offer for national champions, and organisers hope the format will encourage participation and unearth new Singaporean talent.

A new format and a faster course

The 2025 edition introduced significant changes to improve the runner experience. Splitting the races reduced congestion and allowed athletes to recover between distances. The course was redesigned to showcase panoramic views and a flatter profile: after leaving the F1 Pit Building, runners passed the Singapore Sports Hub, Suntec City, Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay and the long straights of East Coast Park before returning downtown. The warmest stretch, on Marina East Drive, featured extra water stations, spray arches and even ice pops to mitigate the heat and humidity.

By removing climbs such as West Coast Highway and Sheares Avenue, many participants set personal bests for Singapore. Runners also welcomed the move of the finish line to the Padang, a historic open field that provided space for spectators and added a sense of occasion.

Tips for running in Singapore

If you’re considering signing up for a future edition of the Singapore Marathon or any race in a tropical climate, these strategies will help you enjoy the experience and perform better:

• Train for heat and humidity: schedule workouts at dawn or in humid conditions to acclimate. Our winter running guide explains layering; apply the inverse principle here by choosing light, breathable clothing.
• Hydrate proactively: drink regularly from the first kilometre, alternating water with electrolytes to avoid dehydration.
• Pace yourself conservatively: times in Singapore are naturally slower than in temperate races. Adjust your strategy and run by feel rather than fixating on splits.
• Use technology wisely: devices and apps that measure power, pace and heart rate help you manage effort. Our article on running power training explains how to interpret these metrics.
• Tune into the community: SCSM offers training sessions and a carnival‑like atmosphere. Join group runs to familiarise yourself with the course. The SnapRace app lets you record your sessions, share progress and compete virtually with other runners.

A running festival with its sights set on the future

The Singapore Marathon 2025 proved that challenging weather doesn’t prevent a world‑class race. Abel Sikowo’s and Shuko Genemo’s triumphs, Soh Rui Yong’s historic double and the improvements to the route confirm SCSM as a must‑do event on the global calendar. If you dream of racing in the Lion City, start planning now: registration typically opens early in the year and sells out quickly. Download SnapRace, set your goals and get ready to experience Singapore’s magic step by step.