SINGAPORE - Runners hoping to snag early-bird discounts have till May 31 to sign up for the 2018 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM), with almost 25,000 having registered as of Wednesday (May 23).

The 17th edition of the SCSM will take place over Dec 8-9 this year in a new two-day format featuring six categories.

Making a return is the 5km category, which joins the existing marathon (42.195km), half-marathon (21km), 10km, Ekiden and Kids Dash categories.

Participants looking for an entry-level distance but full marathon experience are encouraged to join this category, which will be flagged off together with the 10km category.

The race will begin at the F1 Pit Building and end by The Float at Marina Bay on Dec 8, a day before their Marathon and Half Marathon counterparts.

Those unsure of which category to sign up for can take up the Double-Up Challenge, providing them access to either the 5km or 10km category on Saturday, before proceeding to participate in either the Marathon or Half Marathon on Sunday.

Last year's race was sold out to 48,400 participants for the first time. The marathon category was won by Kenyan Cosmas Kimutai in 2hr 22min 48sec.

National marathoners Soh Rui Yong (2:35:55) and Rachel See (3:11:08) were the fastest local man and woman respectively, with the SCSM also doubling up as the national championships for the first time after a tie-up between Singapore Athletics and organiser Ironman Asia.

The SCSM has been an International Association of Athletics Federations Gold Label race since 2012.

Interested participants can sign up for the race or look for more information at www.singaporemarathon.com.

SIGN UP FOR ST RUN TOO

This year, The Straits Times Run, which will be held on Sept 23, is once again partnering the SCSM. The first 3,000 runners who sign up for both races will get an exclusive runners belt.

To register for the ST Run, which will end under the iconic dome of the National Stadium, go to www.straitstimesrun.com.