Forum: Runners let down by arrangement at start and finish of marathon

The emotional experiences at the starting and finishing points of a race are the most important for every full marathoner. I am 68 and have been running full marathons for 18 years, both locally and overseas, and have never experienced a staggered start.

On Dec 7, at the Standard Chartered full marathon, each pen was flagged off separately despite earlier notices stating that the flag-off was at 4.30am. I did not run in last year’s edition and do not know if it was a similarly staggered flag-off.

If it was not, then I can only deduce that the staggered starting was a knee-jerk response to the reported congestion at the end of the half-marathon held the day before (

Stanchart Marathon hit by congestion issues at post-race zone, organisers issue apology,

Dec 6).

The staggered start took away the joy, exhilaration and thrill of taking off after hearing the horn blowing at 4.30am to run the race of the year after a long period of training. After hearing the horn at the stipulated flag-off time, seasoned full marathoners in all the pens start running slowly as the field of runners opens up, and then finally take off on reaching the start point. That experience is priceless.

There has never been a stampede anywhere in a marathon in the world. If the concern was the potential congestion at the finish point experienced by the half-marathon a day earlier, this was not the correct remedy.

It was also unlikely for the congestion to recur as the two races are different in nature. Not adhering to the stipulated 4.30am flag-off for all participants was a big letdown.

The finish point was at a very short abrupt 90-degree turn from Connaught Drive to the lawn in front of the Singapore Recreation Club. It did not provide finishers with the best experience as a finish point should preferably have at least a 300m to 500m runway.

An exhilarating experience at the finish for every full marathoner is about finally seeing the finish banner and sprinting or struggling to the finish with the last ounce of energy. This, again, is priceless.

I hope that organisers can consider these factors for future marathons.

Tng Kim Bock