Army Half Marathon route to include Gardens by the Bay; SuperTrees to be lit for first time

Acting sports minister Chan Chun Sing (centre) taking in part of the Army Half Marathon route. (Photo courtesy of SAFRA)

The Army Half Marathon this Sunday will see runners take in the new Gardens by the Bay, including the newly opened Bay South Garden.

40,000 runners have registered to run in the 21km and 10km categories. Another 30,000 will run in the 5km category.

This year’s SAFRA Singapore Bay Run and Army Half Marathon is the 20th edition since the inaugural run in 1992 with 15,000 runners. It was formerly known as the Sheares Bridge Run.

The SuperTrees will also be lit up for the first time, which should prove quite a sight for the half marathoners starting off at 5.15am. Runners will also be given glowing wristbands.

The standard distance markers usually seen at races in previous years will be replaced by illuminated distance markers.

Belly dancers, cheerleaders, Maculele and percussion groups will also entertain the runners along the route.

To celebrate the 45th year of National Service (NS), there will be humourous, tongue-in-cheek display boards along the route depicting common SAF personalities like the Physical Training Instructor, Platoon Sergeant, as well as typical National Service experiences like the water parade.

Brigadier General Perry Lim, chairman of the organising committee, said: “This year, as we commemorate NS45 and celebrate SAFRA40, we hope to reach out to all our participants with a new route, unique experiences and a visual treat. More importantly, we want to help fortify the bonds among NSmen here in Singapore.”