BYD Singapore International Marathon presented by adidas

Published on March 24, 2026

 

There’s something special about race day in Singapore. The city wakes up a little earlier, the streets feel a little more alive, and thousands of first-timers, seasoned marathoners and everyone in between come together with one shared goal: to keep moving forward.

The BYD Singapore International Marathon 2026 presented by adidas (SGIM26) returns with a refreshed race experience, and runners can now prepare earlier than before. The 2026 race routes have been revealed 16 weeks ahead of race day, alongside a new official training guide with week-by-week plans for distances from the 5km to the full marathon.

The early preparation support is especially timely: close to 40% of BYD Marathon and adidas Half Marathon participants are taking on their respective distances for the first time.

Image 5-3Photo credit:  BYD Singapore International Marathon presented by adidas
Leon Lai (Founder, Betterment Sports), Shalindran Sathiyanesan (Event Director, BYD Singapore International Marathon presented by adidas), Rena Teng (Head, Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing, Singapore and ASEAN, Standard Chartered Bank), Deng Yiling (Principal Manager, Sports Business & Partnerships, Singapore Tourism Board), James Ng (Managing Director of BYD Singapore and President of BYD Philippines), Toh Boon Yi (Deputy Chief Executive Officer, SportSG), Dean Tan (Deputy Chief, Industry Development Group, SportSG), Rui Yuan Chen (Managing Director, adidas Singapore), Marinda Teo (Deputy President, Singapore Athletic Association), Liang Wei Song (Race Director, BYD Singapore International Marathon presented by adidas), Patricia Tan (CEO, SCORE Sports)

A Marathon Designed Around the Runner

SGIM26 continues to put the runner experience at the heart of the event. For the first time, participation has been capped at 52,000 runners, helping to reduce congestion and create a smoother race experience.

Local places for the 42.195km BYD Marathon have already sold out more than three months before race weekend. The marathon field comprises 12,000 runners, including 9,000 places for Singapore-based runners and 3,000 places reserved for international runners.

Start your marathon journey today!

What Is the Singapore Marathon 2026 Route?

For SGIM26, the confirmed race courses for all categories have been revealed 16 weeks ahead of race day, giving runners more time to understand the course and plan their training.

The full marathon route has also been adjusted with Singapore’s climate and runner flow in mind. The West Coast Highway climb, which came at around the 32km mark in 2024, has been moved to approximately the 8km mark. This means runners can tackle the climb during the cooler, darker early hours of the morning instead of later in the race.

The course is now 99% mono-directional, with only a 300m stretch across Marina Barrage requiring runners to return along the same section. At East Coast Park, organisers will use both the cycling path and service road for the first time: runners will enter via the cycling path and return via the service road.

Benjamin Sheares Bridge also returns as a defining feature for both the BYD Marathon and adidas Half Marathon. Half-marathon runners will take on the bridge at around the 16km mark before heading towards the finish inside the National Stadium.

Not sure where to run? Read on!

A Free 16-Week SGIM26 Training Programme

If you are preparing for your first marathon or half marathon, SGIM26 has introduced additional support to help take some of the guesswork out of race preparation.

The official training guide, “A Guide to Going the Distance in Singapore”, was developed with Singapore’s national marathon record holder Soh Rui Yong. It includes week-by-week training plans for all four race distances, from the 5km to the full marathon, together with guidance tailored to running in Singapore.

The guide covers pacing, heat adaptation, race nutrition, recovery and injury prevention. It is free and available to the public — including runners who are not registered for SGIM26 — and has already recorded more than 2,000 downloads.

For first-time runners in particular, having both the route and a structured training plan available well ahead of race day can make it easier to build towards the distance progressively and prepare for the demands of running in Singapore’s climate.

More Than Just Race Day

Beyond the race itself, SGIM26 is designed as an experience that brings runners, supporters and the wider community together. Whether you are running your first 5km, taking on your first marathon, chasing a personal best or supporting friends and family, the weekend offers different ways to be part of Singapore’s national marathon.

Community groups and supporters along the route add to the atmosphere, turning the journey from the start line to the finish into a shared experience.

A Festival-Style Race Weekend

SGIM26 returns in a three-day format, with different race experiences across the weekend. Kids’ races open the programme, while the 5km and 10km offer more accessible race options. The half marathon has its own dedicated spotlight, before the full marathon closes the weekend as the flagship event.

The format gives runners of different ages, abilities and experience levels a way to take part in the event.

Find out other events you can join.

A Race with Global Credentials

The BYD Singapore International Marathon presented by adidas is Singapore’s only national marathon and Southeast Asia’s first World Athletics Gold Label road race. In 2026, runners from 95 countries are registered across the race programme, reflecting the event’s growing international reach.

At the same time, the course continues to showcase Singapore, taking runners past recognisable city landmarks and giving both local and international participants a distinctive race-day experience.

Singapore Marathon 2026: Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Singapore Marathon 2026 route announced?

The confirmed SGIM26 race courses were revealed 16 weeks ahead of race day, giving runners more time to plan and train for the course.

What are the key changes to the Singapore Marathon 2026 route?

For the full marathon, the West Coast Highway climb has moved to around the 8km mark, the course is now 99% mono-directional, and East Coast Park will use both the cycling path and service road. Benjamin Sheares Bridge returns for both the marathon and half marathon.

Is there a training plan for the Singapore Marathon 2026?

Yes. SGIM26 has released a free official guide, “A Guide to Going the Distance in Singapore”, developed with national marathon record holder Soh Rui Yong. It includes week-by-week plans for the 5km, 10km, half marathon and full marathon.

What does the SGIM26 training guide cover?

The guide covers pacing, heat adaptation, race nutrition, recovery and injury prevention, in addition to structured week-by-week training plans.

Can I use the SGIM26 training guide if I am not registered for the race?

Yes. The official training guide is available to the public, including runners who are not registered for SGIM26.

How many SGIM26 marathon and half-marathon runners are first-timers?

Close to 40% of BYD Marathon and adidas Half Marathon participants are taking on their respective distances for the first time.

For more information on the race, visit https://singaporeinternationalmarathon.com/

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