Points to Note for Marathoners joining the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2014

Source: http://www.marathonsingapore.com/

Standard Chartered Marathon Running Route

The full marathon running route for Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2014 (SCMS 2014) remains largely unchanged from the previous years (click link for detailed map). Having run this route several times, I can share some 'surprises' (in particular to novice participants) that runners may encounter when attempting to complete the race in good or better timings. This may help to mentally prepare you for THE day!

THE UNSIGHTLY BUSHY MOMENT !!!

After flag off (do not be surprised), you are likely to witness runners rallying to the bushes to pee! Yes...PEE!

I suspect that that the insufficient numbers of portable toilets deployed at the start point  (just my own suspicion, I am unable to verify this) attributed to such uncivilised acts in a 'sterile' Singapore. Under normal circumstances, it is common for professionally organised  running events to provide a minimum of 1 toilet to every 100 participants (cited from Runners World). This would translate to 140 mobile toilets at the start point in order to meet the 14,000 marathoners' capacity. 

Photo Credits : StOMP via link

WATCH WHERE YOU ARE STEPPING!

The stipulated flag-off time is 5 a.m. The forecasted day break for Sunday, 7 Dec 14 is  7 a.m. That means, runners will be expected to run in partial darkness for at least 2 hours. The street lights could be rather dim and the overcrowding at some narrow roads in the first 6km would almost hinder the visibility of the route. Be warned of tripping hazards as I personally witnessed runners tripping over the kerbs in previous years. Do be cautious of the route, especially in the first 6km. 

THE GPS BETRAYAL!

Photo Credits : Get to Know the Route of SCMS 2013

GPS gadgets are good indicators to pace our runs. However, do be warned that your GPS signals will most likely be distorted after entering the Fort Canning Tunnel (~600m) at the 1km mark. Be prepared to have your GPS watch read a "distorted" distance for the next 41km. It will be safer (and smarter?) to use the marathon pace markers (usually available at the pacer booth during race expo) to gauge for better accuracy. Alternatively, follow the official pacers as a gauge as they will be the 'live' moving markers for runners attempting to complete at 3:45h, 4h, 4:15h, 4:30h, 4:45h, 5h, 5:15h and 5:30h (gun time).

DESERT ZONE

Unless you are an elite runner, most of us will be in the sun from 7 a.m. onwards. Mr. Sunny will likely greet us after the u-turn at East Coast Park (~6min/km pace). There is no natural or artificial shelter for the entire stretch of 16km (or more).  Get ready for a 'sun-tanning' run through this segment.

1 Dec Hour-by-hour forecast via link

MEET UNCLE BENJAMIN SHEARES

What is SCMS without the Sheares Bridge? All runners will meet Uncle Benjamin from 38km to 39km. Uncle Benjamin will bring you through a 1km uphill fun run at his signature bridge. This is where Uncle Benjamin will attempt to break you mentally or/and physically if you do not have adequate uphill trainings, especially when most runners are already deadly exhausted by then.

Uncle BENJAMIN via googlemap

If you grit your teeth and pull through this undesirable part of the running route, there is nothing to stop you from hitting home. You only have slightly more than 3 km to the finishing point - where your loved ones, your finisher entitlements await you!

It is 1.5 week to the BIG day. I am just feeling the same excitement as in previous years!