Sign up fast - caps on 'early-bird' marathon spots

Sign up fast - caps on 'early-bird' marathon spots

SINGAPORE - Runners hoping to snag early-bird discounts at the annual Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore (SCMS) will have to move fast.

Under a new registration model, fees for the race categories are unchanged from last year but there is no longer a specific date to register for "early-bird" discounts.

Instead, this year's event - which will be launched on July 16 at Ion Orchard - will see discounts capped on a first-come, first-served basis.

Separated into three phases - priority+, priority and normal - limited slots are available for each segment. Once the sign-up quota for each phase is met, the discounted registration fee will move on to the next price range.

For instance, for the 42.195km full marathon, registration is capped at 20,000 runners, with normal registration fees at $95.

However, the first 2,500 sign-ups enjoy a discounted rate of $65 under the priority+ phase.

The next 4,500 will fall into the priority category and an $80 rate.

The event will cater to some 58,300 runners this year - slightly fewer than last year's 62,000 - with discounted rates available for 20,000 runners.

Citing the examples of the Shanghai and Paris marathons, Chris Robb, managing director of race organiser Spectrum Worldwide, said: "The model has been successfully executed in various top marathons around the world and it essentially works to reward participants who register as early as possible."

Priority+ slots will also be available through registration drives in five sports centres - Jurong West, Pasir Ris, Sengkang, Toa Payoh and Yio Chu Kang - to be held this month.

StanChart cardholders and SCMS 2013 runners will get to enjoy pre-launch registration before the launch, where 100 entries will be made available at just $1.

More details can be found on the SCMS website.

The marathon is scheduled for Dec 7 though the routes have yet to be finalised. Robb revealed that the newly completed Singapore Sports Hub is under consideration for inclusion.

Other than changes to the registration models, runners can also expect a better post-race experience, following a timing glitch last year which caused 3,782 runners to be either unfairly disqualified or given inaccurate timings.

Said Robb: "This year's review process has been very thorough and is continuing as we speak.

"Our priority must always be the participants and we are confident of delivering a fantastic edition for them."

twtoh@sph.com.sg


This article was first published on July 01, 2014.
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