The Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) today announced its bid to join six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world - London, Berlin, New York, Chicago, Tokyo and Boston - as an Abbott World Marathon Majors (WMM) event.

The Singapore marathon has been recognised as a Gold Label event by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) since 2012.

A 10-year partnership between event organiser IRONMAN Asia and WMM to expand the current race calendar from six to nine cities with additions in regions such as Asia, Africa, and the Middle East has made it possible for Singapore's marquee running event to bid for the opportunity.

Standard Chartered Bank has been sponsoring the marathon since 2002 and in support of this bid, Standard Chartered Bank has announced a renewed sponsorship through 2019. The S$11.4m in funding over the next three years is a significant boost to Singapore's growing running community.

The race has also been renamed as the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM), to align with other WMM events globally.

Enhanced Experience: Pre-race

Runners can expect an enhanced experience which begins before the race weekend on 2-3 December.

Upon registration, about 50,000 runners will receive a race pack worth over $180, which includes new items such as an upgraded backpack and free race day personal accidental plan. For the first time, participants will be decked out with event and finisher tees by new race apparel sponsor Under Armour.

Under Armour will be the official apparel sponsor for the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2017 – giving all runners a Speed Stride running tee shirt.

They can also look forward to numerous new experience such as new race routes, the cold towel experience upon crossing the Finish Line, and a free digital personal race photo that they can share on social media.

The Full and Half-Marathon categories will have a completely new route that will take them through some of the Singapore's most iconic heritage locations.

The runners for the 10km race can expect to see more of the city skyline than ever before as they blaze their way through the central business district during daybreak.

There will also be a number of improvements with new features like mist tunnels, cooling zones, additional and longer hydration points and more entertainment for a better runner experience. However, there will be no train service will be available during the early morning of 3 December.

Rewarding Runners

As the marathon enters its 16th edition, IRONMAN Asia will introduces a loyalty program that will reward loyal runners. Participants who have clocked more than 300KM since the 2010 Singapore Marathon will receive a customised running tee-shirt and a collector 300km club coin.

In July, SCSM will unveil runners' programmes that will help SCSM participants to prepare for the race.

Registration for the SCSM 2017 starts today. Standard Chartered Cardholders will enjoy 15% off registration fee across all categories.