SINGAPORE - More than 5,000 runners gathered on Saturday evening to participate in the second edition of New Balance Run On Singapore 2016.

Held at Gardens by the Bay (East), runners enjoyed a competitive but scenic run as the route took them past Marina Barrage, Flower Dome, Super Tree Grove, before making a u-turn at the ArtScience Museum.

This year, the distance of the run increased from 5km to 7km, with those willing to go a further 1km at the end rewarded with a limited-edition patch.

After the race, racers wound down with food and drink including premium draft beer specially imported by Wunderbar and complimentary truffle fries and ice cream.

They were also entertained by DJ A/K/A from ATTAGIRL!, who pumped up the mood for runners who finished the race, and was followed by the mellowed synths of local band Riot !n Magenta to close the night.

Ng Teck Son, 23, a Certis Cisco officer who participated in the event for the second year in a row, said: "New Balance Run On is more fun and less stressful compared to the other runs I've participated in.

"I liked the lifestyle element, where I could chill with my friends over free food and drinks after the run."

"We believe that both the sports and the arts have a vital role to play in society as an outlet of expression and expanding the mind and soul. Through our collaboration with artists like ATTAGIRL! and Riot !n Magenta, along with The Local People art market for our race pack collection, we aim to offer metropolitan and core runners a fresh experience. Running is not just a sport, but a lifestyle that has become more social and allows one to stay active and culturally engaged at the same time," said Eugene Yeo, New Balance Asean product and marketing manager, when asked to comment on the partnership between New Balance, local artistes and businesses.

The Singapore leg is the fourth of seven stops on the New Balance Run On Tour. The Tour moves to Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines next.