Singapore’s national marathon is set for a fresh look in 2026, with BYD unveiled as the title sponsor, adidas named the presenting sponsor, and a new 52,000 race-entry cap introduced as part of efforts to improve the overall race experience.
The event will now be branded the BYD Singapore International Marathon presented by adidas, with Standard Chartered continuing its involvement as the Official Bank.
All three brands will also take naming rights to key race categories within the programme, with the BYD Marathon, adidas Half Marathon and Standard Chartered 10km forming part of the race weekend.
The revamped event will take place across three days from 4 to 6 December 2026, starting with kids’ races on Friday morning, followed by the 5km and 10km events on Friday evening. The half-marathon is scheduled for Saturday morning, with the marathon closing out the weekend on Sunday morning.
A major change for this year’s edition is the introduction of a participation cap, with only 52,000 race entries available for purchase when registration opens in April. Organisers said the move is aimed at creating a more enjoyable and better-managed race environment for runners.
Event director Shalindran Sathiyanesan said the emphasis for this year’s edition will be on runner welfare and experience, while maintaining the race’s status as Singapore’s only national marathon.
“The decision to place a cap on the number of runners reinforces our focus on creating an enjoyable race experience,” he said.
“We are planning the race with the aim to deliver a meaningful and rewarding event for participants while continuing to uphold its status as Singapore’s only national marathon.”
The race will also adopt a broader year-round approach, with a focus on structured training, community engagement and closer involvement with local running groups and SMEs.
For BYD, the partnership marks a high-profile entry into one of Singapore’s biggest annual sporting events. The car brand said a fleet of BYD and DENZA vehicles will feature across key touchpoints during the race weekend.
“Running a marathon requires dedication, resilience, and a commitment to improving over time,” said James Ng, Managing Director of BYD Singapore and President of BYD Philippines.
“These are principles we value and are key to BYD’s progress in the New Energy Vehicles segment. The national marathon is a prestigious event with deep roots in the community, and we are proud to power its next era.”
adidas is stepping into an expanded role after supporting the marathon across previous editions. As presenting sponsor, the sportswear giant will roll out a wider range of Singapore-exclusive race merchandise, including apparel and special colourways of the adizero Boston 13 and Evo SL carrying event branding.
The brand will also provide the official race T-shirt included in every participant’s race pack.
“adidas is proud to be the first-ever presenting sponsor of Singapore’s national marathon, a natural next step in our long-standing commitment to supporting the running community,” said Chen Rui Yuan, Country Manager of adidas Singapore.
Standard Chartered, which has been linked with the race for the past 24 years, will remain part of the event as it enters its latest phase.
Patrick Lee, CEO for Singapore and CEO for ASEAN & South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank, said: “We are proud to continue our longstanding association with the marathon, having helped to grow the race to become the country’s premier mass sporting event over the past 24 years.”
The marathon also retains its competitive standing on the regional stage. The BYD Marathon remains Southeast Asia’s only World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, while the other race categories are course-measured and certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.
First staged as a competitive race in 1982, Singapore’s national marathon remains a key fixture on the local sporting calendar, with support from Sport Singapore, the Singapore Tourism Board, and the Singapore Athletic Association.
Further details on the 2026 edition will be announced in the coming months.
