You’ve heard our take on the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2011. Now hear it straight from the horse’s mouth. RunSociety scoured the FINISH grounds at the Padang and gathered some invaluable feedback from runners. Thought it’d be a waste if we shelved them so here it is.

Full Marathon

Final sprint to the FINISH line

This year’s route is almost the same as last year but the weather is definitely better than last year. Total support is just sufficient I guess. I will prefer if they have something more after 30K, that’s one. The experience wise, I think it’s improving but of course, there’s room to improve. Getting the spectators involved is definitely a challenge. Ferrying the spectators to be around to support the runners is also a challenge. So it’s a toggling between starting early without support there, or starting late that makes the runners suffer but you do have some supporters that are able to turn up. If you ask me, runner’s point of view, we’ll prefer to start even earlier. So in fact it’s the best to avoid the sun, say about 4.30, even four o’clock. Other than that, I think it has been improving. Certainly, it’s good.

Ning Wenlong, 34, Sales

This year’s edition had quite good weather because of the rain last night. So the whole race this morning was quite cooling and the conditions were like overcast, so great conditions for running. Probably in the last three to four clicks for the full marathon, there’s a lot of congestion with the 21-click runners, so maybe that area could be improved because it actually might slow down some of the fastest runners from either of the races.

Fung Kakin, 21, Student

A true mark of sportsmanship

The overall experience was good. The weather today was very kind. I was indeed fortunate to finish sub-four. It’s a great run and lots of water points, and lots of support from everyone. Most memorable part of the race, well, that’s when my cramp starts sets in and everything goes downhill, and I was trying to fight it and that’s when you fight against yourself.

David Shum, 42, Head Coach

Half Marathon

All smiles against the contours of the city skyline

I think there were not enough distance markers but otherwise I felt that the route was overall quite enjoyable, especially the part through Resorts World Sentosa, I think the mascots made me smile when I went through. But otherwise, I thought it was actually quite a challenging course you know because there were a lot of upslopes. I did the Full Marathon last year so this is my first time doing the Half Marathon for this race. I had a goal for this one – more for speed.

Vanessa Tang, 26, Corporate Development Director

Yes very good. Very good weather today. I did the SAFRA run and the Newton run as well. My favourite definitely would be Universal Studios when we ran past. Just we have some things to see, not just bump into people.

Kenniess Wong, 37, Media Professional

Half Marathoners at Universal Studios Singapore

It was good except that the starting wasn’t too good at Sentosa, It was kind of cram, especially at the beach area. But all, I mean overall, it’s fine. It was a good run through (Universal Studios). Really appreciate their mascots there.

Claire Tong, 31, Manager

Very satisfying. The starting. Because the atmosphere, the music, the people. Because seeing the funny characters standing there cheering us up.

Chong Wing Peh, 42, IT Professional

10 Kilometres

This one is a good experience because this my first time running the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore. Then every time I run to other marathons, then this is a good practice for next time. Actually my planning is 21 kilometres but I refuse to run 21. Maybe I cannot do it for 21 for this time, maybe next.

Ricky G. Calimag, 30, Mechanical Engineer

Runners gear up for the 10-kilometre flag-off

It was okay. It was quite fun. It’s my first time. I usually do shorter distances. Probably must train more.

Alicia Lim, 24, Doctor

100m, 75m, 50m, you've done it

Yes, first time for StanChart. It’s just that the starting is no good because supposed to start at 7.15 but we started at about 7.58 because of the bridge there. You have to cross over and it’s not convenient at all. But overall it’s fun. At least we did it.

Kelly Peh, 43, Finance Officer

Friends celebrate after completing 10 kilometres

It doesn’t end here. If you have something of your own to share, you could always do so in the ‘Comment’ section below.