Soh Rui Yong and Rachel See shine at the 2024 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon

With over 55,000 participants, including 13,000 international runners, the 2024 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) highlighted Singapore’s growing enthusiasm for endurance sports. The marathon also featured familiar champions reclaiming their titles in a display of perseverance and excellence. Soh Rui Yong captured his fifth consecutive men’s national title, while Rachel See successfully defended her women’s national title, cementing their status as Singapore’s top marathoners.

Soh Rui Yong: A Dominant Fifth Victory

Soh Rui Yong crossed the finish line at the Anderson Bridge in 2 hours, 46 minutes, and 5 seconds, edging out Benjamin Khoo and Richard Heng in a tightly contested race. Celebrating his fifth national championship, Soh reflected on the competitiveness of the event, stating, “The fight for the podium was very close, which bodes well for the depth of marathon running in Singapore.” Praising the camaraderie among participants, he added, “We conquered together as a community. Win or lose, tomorrow a new season begins.” Soh took to Facebook after the race, expressing his gratitude and reflecting on the challenges of the event. “It was an honour to race a marathon on home soil again, and an even bigger one to win the national championship for the fifth consecutive time,” he wrote. Soh, 33, continues to set his sights high, targeting a marathon treble at the 2025 SEA Games in Bangkok. “If I win two gold medals 10 years apart, that’s pretty good,” he remarked. Despite challenges with the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) over previous SEA Games and Asian Games exclusions, Soh remains determined to represent Singapore and excel on the international stage.

Rachel See: A Class of Her Own

Rachel See retained her women’s national title with a time of 3 hours, 45 seconds, finishing ahead of Goh Shing Ling and Sharon Tan. At 42, See continues to defy age with consistent performances that inspire the running community. Reflecting on her victory, she said, “This year I was very aware and alert, and I enjoyed every moment of it. I came with an open mind to do my best.” Despite a more relaxed approach to training compared to 2023, See’s strategic pacing and experience proved decisive. Her back-to-back titles reinforce her reputation as one of Singapore’s premier female distance runners.

A Journey of Determination for Soh

Soh’s athletic journey has not been without hurdles. Over the years, his relationship with the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) has been fraught with challenges, including disputes that led to his exclusion from the SEA Games in 2019 and 2021. His selection for the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games marked a turning point, where he secured a silver medal in the 10,000m and gained international praise for sportsmanship by offering his drink to Indonesia’s Rikki Marthin Luther Simbolon, who had accidentally missed his cup at the water point. However, challenges persisted. In 2023, Soh faced exclusion from the Asian Games in Hangzhou due to alleged failure to honor commitments made to the SNOC. The council cited disparaging remarks he made in public as undermining his assurances to conduct himself professionally. This controversy followed earlier disputes, including a defamation case involving a former teammate, which further complicated his path to international competitions. Despite these setbacks, Soh continues to focus on his athletic ambitions. His recent marathon victory and his effort to meet SEA Games qualifying marks demonstrate his resilience and dedication to the sport.