SAA's 10km run in July 2010

Report by Leonard Lim

Another running event is set to be added to the local calendar, as the Singapore Athletic Association (SAA) looks to muscle in on the popularity of the 10km event.

Starting and ending at the Kallang National Stadium car park, the race - yet to be named - will take place on July 6 or 18. The route, an SAA proposal has been submitted to the Land Transport Authority for approval, it is understood to include the Nicolle Highway area.

A total of 15,000 participants - both men and women across all age groups are being targetted.

Observers see the new race as a way for the SAA to earn income through registration fees, in an industry that has grown tremendously.

The fees have yet to be confirmed, but the market rate for such an event would be about $30.

The SAA has not received a cent in government funding since April 1 last year, after missing deadlines to submit budget and training plans to the Singapore Sports Council (SCC). The association's flagship event, the Singapore Marathon, adds close to $1 million to its coffers every year.

But the co-organisers SAA and SSC split after last year's edition, and the two set to host rival marathons in December.

There are already several popular 10km runs, including the Shape Run and the Great Eastern Women 10k.

Last year's Shape Run (8,000 runners) took two days to fill, while the Nike Human Race (10,000 runners) took five. More than 14,000 women took part in the Great Eastern event last year, up from 10,000 in 2008 and 7,700 in 2007.

Last year there were at least 45 running races in Singapore and nearly all boasted a capacity field. At last count, there were already 29 listed for this year, with more set to come.