Transport issues sorted, marathon organisers assure runners

SINGAPORE — Taking part in Sunday’s (Dec 4) Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore (SCMS)? Then this is what you need to do to ensure that you get to the start line on time.

As train operator SMRT will not be providing any early train services because of track maintenance, first-time organisers Ironman Asia has arranged for private bus services to ferry more than 46,000 participants to this year’s race — which will flag off at Orchard Road, between Orchard Gateway and the Centrepoint shopping malls at 4.30am for marathon and half-marathon runners, and at Esplanade Theatres by the Bay at 6.45am for the 10km participants.

They have also designated 30 locations islandwide as pick-up points on race-day morning — mainly at bus interchanges and bus stops near MRT stations — for participants who had purchased a S$5 bus ticket online by last Friday.

According to Ironman, there will be only two pick-up times at each location: 2am and 3am (for marathon and half-marathon runners), and 4am and 5am (for 10km participants).

Ironman has also advised participants to be at their pick-up points 15 minutes before departure time.

Each journey is estimated to take between 20 to 45 minutes.

To prevent confusion at the start point, Ironman has arranged for two drop-off points for half and full-marathon runners.

Orchard *Scape will be one stop for those assigned to Pens A to D, while Orchard Anguilla will be the drop-off point for Pens F and G. The racing pen assignments are based on each individual’s estimated finishing time.

For the 10km runners, the drop-off point is at Capitol Building.

Participants can also take taxis or drive to their start-points. Ironman has also arranged with Uber to provide S$5 and S$15 discount codes.

In response to TODAY’s queries, Ironman said it is “confident” that the transport arrangements, which it has been working on since May, will be sufficient to meet participants’ needs.

Although it did not say how many buses it chartered for the military-like operation, or how many participants have bought bus tickets, it said in its statement: “The Ironman team has explored several options with transport operators and put together a comprehensive plan for our runners to get to the marathon.

“We have arranged sufficient buses to ferry participants from 30 pick-up locations across the island to three drop-off points, and are working with taxi companies to get participants to the race as efficiently as possible.

“We are also confident that the waved starts and six pens stretching from Orchard Gateway to Ion Orchard will help to facilitate a smooth participant flow.

“Drop-off points are strategically placed in close proximity to their pens to prevent congestion.”

At yesterday’s press conference, Ironman Asia managing director Geoff Meyer added that he believes the improvements made, such as earlier start times, wider routes and waved starts will result in a more enjoyable experience.

“This year is very important to us in regards to learning as much as we possibly can, and to be able to grow the event for the future,” he said.

“We have eight members of the World Marathon Majors here — senior delegates from London, New York, Boston, Berlin and Chicago Marathons. We’ve invited them to be with us this weekend to view the event, see how we do and give us as much feedback as possible so we can take it to the next level.”

This year’s edition will feature 2016 Ironman 70.3 world champion Tim Reed, who will be competing in the half-marathon.

“I haven’t done a fresh running race without swim and bike since I was 19 or 20,” the 31-year-old triathlete said. “I don’t have the highest ambitions for a time; I’ll (just) go out and try to enjoy myself.”

Two-time SCMS champion Kenneth Mungara of Kenya who was present with female compatriot Rebecca Kangogo Chesir, praised the SCMS’ organisation.

“In many (other race) cities, you can see people are not serious (about running the event),” the 43-year-old explained.

“Singapore is very good, very fine and I am happy to be here because the people here are friendly … I am very confident (of doing well).”

Singapore’s national marathoner Ashley Liew, who ran his first SCMS in 2004 as an “overweight kid”, will be taking part for the 10th time. It will also be his first SCMS since 2012.

“The marathon has always held a special place in my heart,” said the 29-year-old, who spent the last three years studying in the US.

“I’ve done what I can for race day … within a few hours of touching down (in Singapore earlier last month), I was out for a run. I am going to do my best and try to go for a good time.”

Liew is currently training twice a day, six times weekly while working at the Family Health Chiropractic Clinic. The doctor is eyeing qualification for next year’s SEA Games, though it will not be at the SCMS.

“Singapore is going to be pushing it, being hot and humid,” he explained. “The Tokyo marathon is in February and I am hoping to do a really good time there, which would hopefully serve as qualification.”

LIVE ON TV

The SCMS 2016 will be shown “live” at 4.15am on Hub Sports Arena (StarHub TV Channel 112/205) or at 76.25MHz.

THE 30 PICK-UP LOCATIONS

North

Woodlands: Woodlands Interchange

Sembawang: Bus Stop 58219

Yishun: Bus Stop 59072

Yio Chu Kang: Bus Stop 55189

Ang Mo Kio: Ang Mo Kio Interchange

Bishan: Bus Stop 53231

South

Buona Vista: Bus Stop 11361

Queenstown: Bus Stop 11149

Pasir Panjang: Bus Stop 14169

Harbourfront: Harbourfront Interchange

East

Pasir Ris: Pasir Ris Interchange

Tampines: Tampines Interchange

Simei: Bus Stop 96169

Bedok: Bedok Interchange

Kembangan: Bus Stop 83062

Eunos: Eunos Interchange

West

Jurong East: Jurong East Interchange

Clementi: Clementi Interchange

Boon Lay: Boon Lay Interchange

Chinese Garden: Bus Stop 28349

Lakeside: Bus Stop 28099

Choa Chu Kang: Bus Stop 44539

Bukit Batok: Bukit Batok Interchange

Bukit Panjang: Bus Stop 44231

North-East

Punggol: Punggol Interchange

Sengkang: Sengkang Interchange

Hougang: Hougang Interchange

Serangoon: Bus Stop 62139

Central

Toa Payoh: Toa Payoh Interchange

Novena: Bus Stop 50038

More information regarding transport can be found at http://www.marathonsingapore.com/transport.