The world comes together virtually on the streets of Singapore for the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2020

October 29, 2020

Grand Finale hybrid race to take place from 27 November to 6 December

SINGAPORE / TAMPA, 29 OCTOBER 2020 – The IRONMAN Group, event organiser of the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM), today announced the launch of registration for the 2020 SCSM that will feature a unique hybrid race format for participants to run through the streets of Singapore virtually, creating a world-class experience for runners around the world. This new format will be free of charge for runners in place of the traditional race due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following 13 weeks of the SCSM Virtual Racing series, the Grand Finale, starting from 27 November through to 6 December, offers runners both locally and around the world, an opportunity to race together in one of five categories:

• SCSM Grand Finale Rouvy AR 10KM
• SCSM Grand Finale Rouvy AR Half Marathon
• SCSM Grand Finale VR 10KM
• SCSM Grand Finale VR Half Marathon
• SCSM Grand Finale VR Double Up Challenge

Adopting a hybrid race format, runners can register for the outdoor or indoor race option with a compatible tracking device or join the immersive augmented reality (AR) format powered by Rouvy on a treadmill. The AR format will allow overseas runners to traverse through the spectacular cityscapes in the ‘Best of Singapore’ routes.

To bring runners together safely to celebrate finishing the race, participants in Singapore can opt to attend a two-day signature Grand Finale Celebration experience at Gardens by the Bay on 5 and 6 December. The experience will be open to runners who have purchased Grand Finale race entitlements, and will be on a pre-registration basis for specific time slots as part of prevailing safe management measures. Overseas runners can also opt for a race entitlement package, and have their race singlet, medal and other goodies sent to them.

An Augmented Reality (AR) Race Like Never Before

This year, The IRONMAN Group worked closely with various partners to push the envelope in elevating the virtual race experience for runners through programming and technology innovations. The AR format powered by Rouvy allows runners to create avatars and see themselves competing with fellow runners in real time, while also emulating the actual race experience through various in-video features.

The Half Marathon and 10K routes featured in the AR format have been specially curated in partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to feature some of Singapore’s most iconic landmarks and scenic streetscapes such as Orchard Road, Little India, Chinatown, the Civic District and more.

To allow as many runners as possible to experience this immersive virtual race format, race organisers have also teamed up with Sport Singapore to activate 12 ActiveSG sport centres around the island. These gyms will offer bookable slots for the AR Half Marathon and 10KM categories via the ActiveSG app.

Grand Finale Celebration Experience at Gardens by the Bay & the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2020 Race As One Live Show

While the race has pivoted to a unique format this year, local runners can still look forward to the Grand Finale Celebration experience. Held at the Flower Field Hall in the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay, the Grand Finale Celebration will give runners the opportunity to collect their race entitlements and commemorate their race achievements against photo backdrops of their choice. Strict public health and safety protocols in accordance with the safe management guidelines by the authorities will be in place, and runners are encouraged to stay updated for the latest information from SCSM’s digital platforms.

In addition, there will be a special 90-minute live Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2020 Race As One Show on 5 December starting at 6pm. Runners can tune in via the SCSM Facebook page to catch celebrities and personalities race for a cause in the Rouvy AR Half Marathon Relay Challenge. This year, SCSM will be joining National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC)’s Giving Week 2020 and raise funds for Community Chest, more details will be shared closer to date. Through this initiative, the race organisers hoped that all participants, partners, and the community would come together and stand in solidarity amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The show will also feature highlights and runner stories from the 15-weeks SCSM Virtual Racing Series of this year’s unique marathon.

Speaking at the launch, Geoff Meyer, Managing Director of Asia for The IRONMAN Group, commented “The 2020 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon will be a race like no other, and a celebration at the end of a very challenging year. I am proud of the team and our partners for rising up to the challenge, presenting runners with a unique and innovative world-class experience. We look forward to having people around the world participate in the race virtually and safely, and to end the year with an uplifting event.”

Mr Keith Tan, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board said, “Marathons are all about overcoming obstacles and pushing your limits. We are heartened that The IRONMAN Group have shown that same spirit for this year’s event, by adapting and boldly reimagining the race during this challenging period. We encourage all event organisers to do the same, to continue exploring new formats and redefining how events could look like in the new COVID environment. In the meantime, we’re excited that runners from all over the world can experience the sights and sounds of our beautiful city virtually this year. We hope this will inspire them to visit us in person, in time to come.”

“While many Singaporeans were eager to see the SCSM return in its full glory, we know that for this year this was not to be. Undaunted, the organisers have creatively put together a celebration of the SCSM through an immersive and engaging journey and experience. This speaks to the spirit of Singapore and of all runners who want to come together in one voice to celebrate our way of life and in overcoming the limitations of these COVID-19 times. I wish all runners an enjoyable, meaningful and memorable SCSM 2020,” added Mr Lim Teck Yin, Chief Executive Officer of Sport Singapore.

Gear up for the Race with the SCSM Virtual Club

To help runners stay active, train and gear up for the race, runners and the community have been able to participate in weekly challenges and races on the SCSM VC platform.  Since its launch in August, the SCSM VC has received over 80,000 participation across the weekly virtual races and challenges.

Races under the Virtual Racing Series have been categorised according to four themes that celebrate running routes that are unique to Singapore. The four themes also mirror STB’s passion tribes^[1], which include the Action Seekers, Culture Shapers, Explorers and Foodies. These routes give runners the opportunity to explore and rediscover different sides of Singapore and its hidden gems.

“2020 has been challenging for all sporting events globally but we are delighted that the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon is still able to engage runners from all over the world through a hybrid model. Team SCSM has responded in solidarity with our running community to create extraordinary virtual experiences that we will remember for years to come,” said Patrick Lee, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) Limited.

For more information on the SCSM 2020 and the SCSM Virtual Club, please visit www.singaporemarathon.com.

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About Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon

The Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon is the leading mass participation run and only IAAF Gold Label race in South East Asia. Since 2002, the race has brought runners unparalleled running experiences, threading through the heart of the city seeing iconic heritage buildings and against one of the world’s most iconic city skylines and past some of Singapore’s iconic landmarks such as Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay. Comprising six categories; Marathon, Half Marathon, Ekiden Relay, 10km and Kids Dash, the race has been a catalyst to growing the local and regional running community, by bringing together approximately 50,000 professional, amateur, avid and leisure runners yearly. For more information, visit www.singaporemarathon.com.

About Standard Chartered Bank

Standard Chartered Bank in Singapore is part of an international banking group, with more than 150 years of history in some of the world’s most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, Here for good.

The Bank has a history of 161 years in Singapore, where we opened our first branch in 1859. In October 1999, we were among the first international banks to receive a Qualifying Full Bank (QFB) licence, an endorsement of the Group’s longstanding commitment to our business in the country.

Singapore is home to the majority of our global business leadership, our technology operations, as well as SC Ventures, our innovation hub. In 2013, the Bank transferred our Singapore Retail and SME businesses to a locally incorporated subsidiary, Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) Limited (“SCBSL”). And in May 2019, we fully consolidated our business operations in Singapore through the transfer of our Commercial Banking, Corporate & Institutional Banking and Private Banking businesses to SCBSL. SCBSL is one of the highest-rated banks globally: A1/Stable by Moody’s Investor Services, A/Stable by Standard & Poor’s and A/Stable by Fitch Ratings. In August 2020, we were the first and only bank to be awarded by the Monetary Authority of Singapore the status of “Significantly Rooted Foreign Bank”.

In Singapore, we support both individual and corporate needs to build wealth and drive commerce at every step of their journey. We do this by offering an entire range of financial services across personal, priority and private banking as well as our business, commercial and corporate banking teams. The Bank has a network of 16 branches, 5 Priority Banking centres, 1 International Banking and Priority Private Centre and 27 ATMs. For more information please visit www.sc.com/sg

About Singapore Tourism Board

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is the lead development agency for tourism, one of Singapore’s key economic sectors. Together with industry partners and the community, we shape a dynamic Singapore tourism landscape. We bring the Passion Made Possible brand to life by differentiating Singapore as a vibrant destination that inspires people to share and deepen their passions.

More: www.stb.gov.sg or www.visitsingapore.com | Follow us: facebook.com/STBsingapore or twitter.com/stb_sg

About Sport Singapore

As the national sports agency, Sport Singapore’s core purpose is to inspire the Singapore spirit and transform Singapore through sport. Through innovative, fun and meaningful sporting experiences, our mission is to reach out and serve communities across Singapore with passion and pride. With Vision 2030 – Singapore’s sports master plan, our mandate goes beyond winning medals. Sport Singapore uses sport to create greater sporting opportunities and access, more inclusivity and integration as well as broader development of capabilities. At Sport Singapore, we work with a vast network of public-private-people sector partners for individuals to live better through sport. To find out more, visit our websites www.sportsingapore.gov.sg and www.myactivesg.com. Follow us at www.facebook.com/myActiveSG and www.youtube.com/SingaporeSports.

About The IRONMAN Group

The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN^® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN^® 70.3^® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN^® Virtual Racing™ (VR™) Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series^®, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running™ Series, IRONKIDS^®, ITU World Triathlon Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and The Sun-Herald City2Surf^®, Ultra-Trail^® World Tour events including Tarawera Ultra and Ultra-Trail Australia™, mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic^®, road cycling events, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN^® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE^® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance (www.advance.com), a private, family-owned business. For more information, visit www.ironman.com.

About Advance

Advance is a private, family-held business that owns and invests in companies across media, entertainment, technology, communications, education and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the value of our companies over the long-term by fostering growth and innovation. Advance’s portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage Entertainment, The IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, Turnitin, 1010data and Pop. Together these operating companies employ more than 17,000 people in 29 countries. Advance is also among the largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Discovery and Reddit. For more information visit www.advance.com.

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[1]   Under STB’s Passion Made Possible campaign, STB has grouped potential visitors together into seven “Passion Tribes” based on their lifestyles, interests and what they travel for.