The Singapore Marathon has a new course for 2025. The biggest news? The course is flatter, faster, more shaded, and the dreaded Sheares Bridge is gone.

With the full marathon and half marathon now split across two days, marathoners finally have exclusive use of the road. This means less congestion and a smoother run. However, the classic Singapore challenge remains: the heat.

If you are visiting from a cooler climate, manage your expectations. The humidity is unforgiving. Experienced runners should plan to run 12-20 seconds slower per km (or roughly 8-14 minutes slower in total) than their Personal Best in cool weather.

To help you race smart and finish strong, here is the breakdown of the 42.195km journey by Ben Khoo, who has finished on the podium twice at the Singapore race. Ben is also the founder of Live Long Long.

The Strategy: Breaking it Down into 3 Phases

Don't think of it as 42km. Think of it as three distinct runs.

Phase 1: The City Tour (0 - 13km)

The race kicks off with a tour of downtown Singapore. You will pass iconic landmarks like the Esplanade, the Merlion, and Gardens by the Bay. Since the race starts early, you get a rare view of the city lights before sunrise.

• ❌ Trap: The "Hero" Start. Adrenaline is high, the legs feel fresh, and the pre-dawn air feels "cool." It is incredibly easy to run 30 seconds faster than your goal pace here without noticing. These "banked" seconds will cost you minutes later on. 

• ✅ Strategy: Ease into It. Treat the first 5km as a strict warm-up. Let people pass you. If you feel like you are holding back, you are doing it right. Enjoy the sights of the city lights before sunrise - this is the most scenic part of the race. The only two "climbs" in the race are just underpasses at 1.5km and 3.0km in the race.

• 🥤 Fuelling: Start Before the Start. Start your fueling when you line up. One gel before the gun goes off. Don't wait until you are thirsty. Sip water at the aid stations. Plan to take a gel every 30 minutes, even if you don't feel tired yet. 

Phase 2: The East Coast Grind (13km - 32km)

You enter East Coast Park via the Marina Barrage. This 19km segment is pancake flat, breezy and shaded, but it can feel endless. The scenery doesn't change much, and the crowds thin out.

• ❌ Trap: The Hydration Drought. Looking at the aid station map, there is a dangerous gap. Between 13km and 23km, there is only ONE station with 100Plus (Isotonic) at 15.4km. No energy gels. Many runners stick only to water, thinking they are fine, and they hit the wall 10km later.

• ✅ Strategy: Chunk It Down. The long, straight roads can feel endless. Do not think about the remaining 20km. Focus on running strong just to the next aid station (and take drinks!). Use the landmarks (Marina Barrage entrance vs. exit) as mental checkpoints.

• 🥤 Fuelling: Bring Your Own Stash. There are only 4 gel stations on the entire course (approx 13km, 22km, 30km, 34km). If you rely on course nutrition, you might bonk during the long gaps. Stick to your 1 gel every 30 minutes plan using your own supplies.

Phase 3: The Skyscraper Finish (32km - Finish)

The Wall vs. The Will. You cross Marina Barrage again, returning to the city for the final 10km, the hardest part of the race. You are now running through the towering Central Business District (CBD).

• ❌ The Trap: The "City Surge. After 19km of quiet running in East Coast Park, you suddenly re-enter the city. You see the crowds and the skyline, and the adrenaline spikes. It is tempting to speed up. You still have 10km (25% of the race) left in the hottest part of the day. Surging now is a recipe for a blowout at 38km.

• ✅ Strategy: Manage the Heat. It’s key to maintain your core temperature in the last phase of the marathon. To do this, keep a steady running rhythm, grab extra cups of water to drink and to pour over your body, and run in the shade when you can.

• 🥤 Fuelling: Don’t Stop Yet. You might be tempted to skip a gel with only 10km to go. Take it. Sugar takes 10 - 15 minutes to reach your bloodstream. The fuel you take at 35km or 38km is exactly what will power your final kick to the finish line. Keep the energy coming until the very end.

Fuelling Guide

The Singapore Marathon 2025 course has 19 Aid Stations. While that sounds like a lot, you cannot rely solely on the course nutrition if you want to have a good race.

The Numbers:

• 8 Stations have 100Plus (Isotonic).

• 4 Stations have Energy Gels (Approx at 13.3km, 22.3km, 30km, 34.1km).

Our Recommendation: A conservative, safe strategy for the heat is 1 gel every 30 minutes. If you are running a 4-hour marathon, that is 8 gels. The course only provides gels at 4 spots. You must bring your own stash. Do not leave your energy levels to chance.

Spectator Guide: Where to Cheer

If your friends or family are coming to support you, tell them to skip the first 5km - it is too crowded to spot anyone. Instead, send them here:

1. Marina Barrage (13km, 32km): They can see you twice! Once as you head into East Coast Park fresh, and again as you exit, needing a morale boost.

2. Downtown Intersection (10km, 35km, 41km): This is arguably the hardest part of the marathon physically, and closest to the finish. A familiar face here is worth a massive energy spike.

Final Tips for Race Day

The marathon flags off at 4:30AM. The unusual schedule requires a specific approach to sleep and nutrition.

• Bank Your Sleep: You will be waking up around 12:30 AM – 1:30 AM. Do not rely on Saturday night sleep. Aim to be in bed by 7PM - 8PM on Saturday. Your main rest should come from banking extra hours on Thursday and Friday nights.

• Arrive Early (3:00 AM): Security queues and porta-potty lines will be long. Aim to arrive at the F1 Pit Building by 3:00 AM to do your final preparations stress-free for the 4:30AM flag-off.

• Load up 24-36 Hours Out: Start your carbo-loading on Saturday. You do not need to drastically increase total calories; simply replace your protein intake with carbohydrates. Crucially, switch to low-fiber foods (white rice, white bread) to avoid gut issues on race morning.

• Have a Light Breakfast: Keep it light and carb-heavy (e.g., toast with jam) at 2:00AM-2:30AM. Give it time for your stomach to settle. Take one energy gel 5-10 minutes before the start gun.

The new course is set up for a great experience. Respect the heat, fuel aggressively, and execute your plan.

Run Strong. Recover Faster. 

The race ends at 42km, but your health journey continues. After pushing your body to the limit in the heat, recovery is essential to keep your body healthy.

At Live Long Long, we help endurance athletes recover faster, sleep better, and extend their health span through the use of safe, innovative ingredients.

• NMN PerformMax is designed to elevate NAD⁺ levels to fuel key cellular functions that support energy, stamina, recovery and healthy aging.
• Deep Sleep+ is an innovative, non-melatonin formula designed to help you fall asleep faster, sleep more deeply, and wake up feeling refreshed, all while addressing hallmarks of aging.