Singapore Marathon receives 4-year S$10m sponsorship

July 9, 2009 - Standard Chartered Bank today renewed its title sponsorship of the Singapore Marathon for a further four years until 2012 with a commitment to invest about S$10 million in sponsorship and promotion fees over the next four years.

The Race Organisers also announced that the prize purse and registration fees remain unchanged. In spite of rising costs, the intent is to ensure that runners are still able to be a part of the event.

Guest-of-Honour Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, was on hand to witness this landmark announcement.

Mr Lim Cheng Teck, Chief Executive, Standard Chartered Bank Singapore said: "We are extremely proud to see the event that we have nurtured since 2002 become such a resounding success and we are delighted to renew our title sponsorship for a further four years.”

“It is important that home-grown events, especially those that embrace the local community, continue to grow and flourish in Singapore. It takes a lot of courage and determination to take on the challenge of a long race. Every one of the 50,000 runners is an inspiration for our continued commitment to this great event."

Mr Oon Jin Teik, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Sports Council, said: "The commitment from Standard Chartered Bank ensures the long-term future of the event especially at a time where sporting events have been postponed due to the current economic climate. This long-term commitment from Standard Chartered Bank is testament to the success of the event and its potential to continue to grow and develop in the future.”

“Sports events need time and investment to improve and the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon is a great product that has developed over the years and one that we are very proud of. We are excited by the possibilities this agreement provides for our runners and supporters in the years to come and we hope that other corporate sponsors can also see the power of sports sponsorship. This event is the best example of what a strong product can do for your brand."

New Balance was also unveiled as this year's new apparel sponsor. New Balance has signed up for a three-year deal to become the official apparel sponsor of the event.

Mr Patrick Wong, Country Representative, New Balance Singapore said, "Running is the DNA of New Balance. It is just natural for us to come onboard the biggest running event in Singapore’s running calendar. It is a home-coming for us as New Balance was the first apparel sponsor for the Singapore Marathon when the marathon was in its infancy stage."

"The objective and aim are still the same as when we got started – to promote running as a competitive sport and to promote it as a form of exercise for healthy living. Every runner has a love-hate relationship with running. And it is this delicate love-hate relationship that makes running so addictive. New Balance’s aim, through its involvement in running events and its product, is to reduce the hate and increase the LOVE for running."

The Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon has grown from 6,000 runners in 2002 to 50,000 runners in 2008. The organisers expect another great turnout for this year's event across the five categories- the Full Marathon (42km); the Half Marathon (21km); the 10km – Men's and Women's, 10km Team; the Standard Chartered Kids Dash and the 10km Wheelchair Race.

The Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2009 will be held on 6 December 2009 and registration for the race will commence on 16 July.