Singapore Marathon now out of contention for World Marathon Majors
Athletics -
26 Feb 2021
The Singapore Marathon has withdrawn its application to be added to the Abbott World Marathon Majors, the series of elite international distance running races.
The move was announced by Ironman Group, the endurance events organisation that puts on the race, and the Singapore authorities on Friday.
It is not unexpected given that the AWMM is promoted by Wanda Sports Group, and the Chinese company last year sold the Ironman business to US media company Advance Publications, in a deal worth $730 million.
Ironman has overseen the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon since 2016, and the prospect of it being added to the AWMM was first raised in 2017 when the series said it was “exploring the candidacy of several events.”
The race, which is held annually in December, is the city-state’s largest mass-participation sports event, attracting close to 50,000 runners and 70,000 spectators.
The 2020 event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, and replaced by a virtual event that attracted runners from all over the world. The focus is now on arrangements for this year's race.
In a statement today, Ironman said: “Prior to the pandemic, event organisers had the privilege of working with the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) team for three years as a candidate race thanks to the AbbottWMM long-term partnership with the Wanda Sports Group, their recognition of a great event in a great city and the support of major event partners like the Standard Chartered Bank, Sport Singapore, and Singapore Tourism Board.
“With the Wanda Sports Group retaining the exclusive rights to the next three AbbottWMM event additions, the candidacy of the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon is no longer a viable option.
“Alongside its partners and key stakeholders, the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon team remains committed to delivering world-class race experiences and will continue its efforts in producing a signature event for the global running community that exhibits the many great qualities of Singapore.”
In a joint statement, Sport Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board, noted: “AWMM has taken a commercial decision to no longer consider Singapore as a candidate for its Majors."
The two national bodies remain committed to the event, saying they will "continue to develop the SCSM as a world-class World Athletics Gold Label race for Singaporeans and our global participants.”
In 2017, WSG agreed a 10-year partnership with the AWMM, which comprises marathons in Tokyo, London, Boston, Berlin, Chicago and New York City, with plans for three additions in the Asia-Pacific region (excluding Japan) over the course of the contract.
Only the Tokyo and London events were able to take place in 2020, and both were restricted to elite athletes.
The move was announced by Ironman Group, the endurance events organisation that puts on the race, and the Singapore authorities on Friday.
It is not unexpected given that the AWMM is promoted by Wanda Sports Group, and the Chinese company last year sold the Ironman business to US media company Advance Publications, in a deal worth $730 million.
Ironman has overseen the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon since 2016, and the prospect of it being added to the AWMM was first raised in 2017 when the series said it was “exploring the candidacy of several events.”
The race, which is held annually in December, is the city-state’s largest mass-participation sports event, attracting close to 50,000 runners and 70,000 spectators.
The 2020 event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, and replaced by a virtual event that attracted runners from all over the world. The focus is now on arrangements for this year's race.
In a statement today, Ironman said: “Prior to the pandemic, event organisers had the privilege of working with the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) team for three years as a candidate race thanks to the AbbottWMM long-term partnership with the Wanda Sports Group, their recognition of a great event in a great city and the support of major event partners like the Standard Chartered Bank, Sport Singapore, and Singapore Tourism Board.
“With the Wanda Sports Group retaining the exclusive rights to the next three AbbottWMM event additions, the candidacy of the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon is no longer a viable option.
“Alongside its partners and key stakeholders, the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon team remains committed to delivering world-class race experiences and will continue its efforts in producing a signature event for the global running community that exhibits the many great qualities of Singapore.”
In a joint statement, Sport Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board, noted: “AWMM has taken a commercial decision to no longer consider Singapore as a candidate for its Majors."
The two national bodies remain committed to the event, saying they will "continue to develop the SCSM as a world-class World Athletics Gold Label race for Singaporeans and our global participants.”
In 2017, WSG agreed a 10-year partnership with the AWMM, which comprises marathons in Tokyo, London, Boston, Berlin, Chicago and New York City, with plans for three additions in the Asia-Pacific region (excluding Japan) over the course of the contract.
Only the Tokyo and London events were able to take place in 2020, and both were restricted to elite athletes.
