Athletics: StanChart inks new 3-year, $10.5m deal to sponsor Singapore Marathon

The flag-off at Orchard Road for the 42.195km full marathon during the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore (SCMS) on Dec 1, 2013. Singapore's marquee running event will continue to run under Standard Chartered's banner, after the bank ann
The flag-off at Orchard Road for the 42.195km full marathon during the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore (SCMS) on Dec 1, 2013. Singapore's marquee running event will continue to run under Standard Chartered's banner, after the bank announced on Monday, April 21, 2014, that it will continue to be title sponsors of the annual race. -- ST FILE PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

The Singapore Marathon, the Republic's marquee running event, will continue to be under Standard Chartered's banner, after the bank announced on Monday that it will continue to be title sponsors of the annual race.

Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) will continue to work with event owner Sport Singapore and event organiser Spectrum Worldwide to run the event until 2016, in a new three-year deal worth $10.5 million.

SCB's previous deal, a three-year partnership worth $9.75 million, ran out after last year's edition. The bank's name has become synonymous with the Singapore marathon, having been title sponsors since 2002.

The announcement, held at the Marina Bay Financial Centre, was witnessed by Acting Minister of Manpower Tan Chuan-Jin.

Said Neeraj Swaroop, SCB's chief executive officer for Singapore: "Since 2002, Standard Chartered Bank has played a part in nurturing Singapore's passion for running, and together with Sport Singapore and Spectrum Worldwide, we aim to develop the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore into one of Asia's best."

Added SportSG chief executive officer Lim Teck Yin: "SCB has long been a valued partner of sport in Singapore and her contribution through the marathon exemplifies how a sports event could be grown over the years to reach out to young and old, and inspire people to live better through sport."

The event saw a 54,000-strong field take part last year. It is a "Gold Label" road race, a top billing awarded by the International Association of Athletics Federations to just 39 events this year, including the New York City and Boston marathons.

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