Singapore, 27 April – SG International Marathon Pte Ltd (SGIMPL) today announced a significant refresh of the National Championships. Embed Financial Group Holdings (EFGH) was confirmed as the naming partner for the National Championships, along with an increase in total prize purse to S$177,500, a 200% increase from previous years. The winner of the EFGH National Championships – Marathon will receive S$30,000, a three-fold increase in prize money. EFGH is the first naming partner of the National Championships since it was integrated into Singapore’s national marathon race weekend.
The EFGH National Championships sits within the race programme at the BYD Singapore International Marathon presented by adidas and serves as a provisional selection race for SEA Games 2027. The top three finishers of each gender for the EFGH National Championships – Marathon will earn places in the SEA Games 2027 Provisional Selection Squad.
EFGH National Championships
Sixty of Singapore’s fastest runners, comprising 30 men and 30 women, will compete across the marathon and half marathon categories through a merit-based selection process. Podium finishers from last year’s National Championships will gain automatic entry, with an additional invitation extended to the reigning Half Marathon champion to step up to the marathon. One wildcard entry will be granted at SGIMPL’s discretion, while the remaining spots will be filled by athletes with the fastest qualifying times recorded between 1 March 2025 and 31 August 2026. Athletes must achieve their qualifying times within this period to be eligible. [Refer to Annex B for allocation of spots and qualifying timings.]
SGIMPL further demonstrates its commitment to local athletes by providing them with greater privileges both before and during the race. Registration fee for the 60 Singaporean athletes participating in EFGH National Championships will be waived, athletes will be provided with transport to the start line and access to elite stations for their hydration and refuel needs – a first in the history of Singapore’s national marathon. The athletes will also enjoy a dedicated race pen and race flag-off. Finally, the EFGH National Championships will have its own broadcast focus alongside the elite athletes.
Event Director, SGIMPL, Shalindran Sathiyanesan said: “Our mandate is to provide all participants with a great race experience. This extends to our top athletes who deserve recognition and tangible support. These measures are designed to remove logistical distractions so they can focus fully on delivering their best performance. We are delighted that we have partners in EFGH and Singapore Athletics whose unwavering support for our revamped programme helps us create opportunities that empower our top athletes to achieve their best.”
Dennis Ng, Executive Chairman, EFGH, said the partnership reflects its belief that elite sport and modern enterprise are built on the same foundations: discipline, resilience, standards, and long-term performance: “Singapore has always competed above its size. Our athletes deserve structures that match their ambition. If support rises, standards rise. If opportunity becomes clearer, performance follows. Serious athletes need serious support. We are proud to help create that platform.”
Singapore Athletics welcomes the collaborative efforts towards the National Championships as it provides greater recognition and support for local athletes.
Lien Choong Luen, President, Singapore Athletics Association said: “The National Championships form an important part of our performance pathway, and we are committed to supporting our athletes beyond the event through targeted development opportunities, including overseas competitions as they work towards achieving major Games qualifying standards. The top three men and women finishers will be identified as part of the provisional SEA Games selection squad, and we will continue to assess all athletes holistically in line with our selection framework as we work towards final nominations.”
BYD Singapore International Marathon presented by Adidas
Registration begins today for the BYD Singapore International Marathon presented by adidas. Pricing for race entries will follow a static pricing system ensuring prices remain consistent throughout the registration period or until all race entries are sold out [Refer to Annex C for Registration Prices]. Singaporean participants and residents will also enjoy lower entry fees compared to international runners, making the event even more accessible for the local community.
SGIMPL had earlier announced a cap on the number of participants, with up to 52,000 race entries available across all categories over the three-day race weekend. A new competitive category – 1.6km race for children between 10 and 12 years old – has also been introduced with 300 slots available on a first-come, first-served basis. This new category aims to encourage early talent development and provide young runners with a platform to showcase their ability, helping to nurture a passion for running from a young age.
Other new features include regular training sessions and themed runs to prepare and inspire participants in the lead-up to the race. The inaugural Crew Challenge invites teams of four to compete as individuals in the BYD Marathon; the team with the fastest combined time will be crowned winners. Runners can also look forward to specially curated refuel stops featuring local delights and culture, turning every break into a memorable highlight of the race.
Shalindran shared: "We’ve introduced a fixed pricing system to provide greater clarity and fairness for runners, so everyone has equal access to race entries without having to navigate multiple price tiers. With a defined race capacity, this also allows us to better manage the overall race experience.
Beyond that, we’ve introduced new features based on feedback from the running community and from our experience participating in overseas races. All these initiatives are part of our effort to bring the running community closer together and deliver a national marathon experience that Singapore can be proud of.”
Registration begins today at
https://register.singaporeinternationalmarathon.com/ and participants are encouraged to purchase their entries as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Registration ends 30 September or when the slots are fully taken up.
For the latest updates, follow the BYD Singapore International Marathon presented by adidas on its official channels:
Website: https://www.singaporeinternationalmarathon.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sgintlmarathon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sgintlmarathon
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sgintlmarathon/
For media queries, please contact:
Ronda Ng; +65 9152 2842
Ronda.ng@singaporeinternationalmarathon.com
Media@singaporeinternationalmarathon.com
About SG International Marathon Pte Ltd
SG International Marathon Pte Ltd (SGIMPL) is the official event promoter responsible for the development and delivery of Singapore’s national marathon. SGIMPL is a joint venture created by two sport management companies, Betterment Sports Pte Ltd and SCORE Sports Pte Ltd. Both companies bring with them rich experiences spanning over three decades, in both sports strategy, communications,operational excellence and event delivery. Participating in races can be seen as an individual pursuit but the achievement at the finish line is keenly felt and celebrated as a community. SGIMPL is focused on reinforcing a strong national pride and building an even stronger running culture via Singapore’s national marathon.
About EFGH
Embed Financial Group Holdings (EFGH) is a Singapore-headquartered digital financial infrastructure company focused on embedded payments, programmable protection, and digital systems across Asia and Africa.
Working with governments, regulated financial institutions, and enterprise platforms, EFGH supports the deployment of scalable infrastructure solutions.
EFGH has entered into a definitive business combination agreement in connection with a proposed transaction expected to result in a public market listing in the United States, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
Annex A
Prize money at the EFGH National Championships
EFGH National Championships – Marathon
Singapore Men/Women
Position | Prize (SGD)
1st Place | $30,000
2nd Place | $15,000
3rd Place | $10,000
4th Place | $5,000
5th Place | $3,750
EFGH National Championships – Marathon
Singapore Men’s/Women’s Masters
Position | Prize (SGD)
1st Place | $3,000
2nd Place | $2,000
3rd Place | $1,000
4th Place | $800
5th Place | $500
EFGH National Championships – Half Marathon
Singapore Men/Women
Position | Prize (SGD)
1st Place | $7,500
2nd Place | $4,500
3rd Place | $3,000
4th Place | $1,500
5th Place | $1,200
Annex B
For the EFGH National Championships – Marathon, the top three finishers from the previous edition will gain automatic entry. In addition, the reigning champion of the half marathon will be extended an invitation to step up to the marathon distance. One wildcard entry will also be allocated at the organiser’s discretion, with the remaining slots filled based on the fastest qualifying times recorded between 1 March 2025 and 31 August 2026. Should the reigning champion of the half marathon decline the invitation, the slot will be reallocated to the next eligible athlete on the rankings list.
For the EFGH National Championships – Half Marathon, the top three finishers from the previous edition will receive automatic entry, alongside one wildcard entry. The remaining slots will be filled by athletes with the fastest qualifying times within the same qualification window.
Annex C
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