Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2011

The Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore is here again. It will be open for registration tomorrow 23 Jun. For those who intended to sign up, please do so and take advantage of the early bird. The early bird offer is valid from 23 Jun to 20 July 2011, last year, all the slots were taken during the early bird period.


Categories

Full Marathon early bird offer $75 (15% less for cardholders at $63.75)
Half Marathon $58 ($49.30)
10km Men/Women/Wheelchair $50 (42.50)
5km Fun Run $20 (N.A)
Kids Dash 750m $18 (15.30)
Ekiden -42.195km $300 ($255)

I'm surprised when i saw the fees for this year full marathon $75 (for early bird offer)! With standard chartered credit card (15% off), it will be $63.75.

Last year i paid $38.25 for the full marathon (using standard chartered credit card). An increase of 40%!! WOW. For me & my friends we will just sign up for the half. Kind of disappointed to see the increasing fees, a few years from now, i'm not surprise to see $100 for full marathon.

After last year run, I have decided not to run a full in SC. The 10km & half marathon runners merged at Sheares Bridge and basically you have to walk with them. It is frustrating if you have a time goal, having come so far to reach 37km ... and ended up walking with the rest. It was only in the last 2km, you get to run to the finish. Precious time were wasted :(

Last year 60k signed up (from the previous 50k) and this year they intended to get 70k participants.

Race Review for 2010 Full Marathon
SCMS Race Review 2010

This will be the 9th year since my first 10km in SCSM. My recommendation for those who are running full marathon:

1. Prepare yourself. Train in the heat. (last year the race starts at 5am and at around 10am the temperature was at 35C) . Can you run in the heat for the last stretch? It can be quite painful & stressful.

2. Are you aiming for a PB? If you intend to do a personal best, SCMS might not be suitable. You will probably be slowed down by others near the finishing. Last year, I have to walk for about 2km at around 37km mark. I finished in less under 5 hrs, it could be better.