Running Solo But Never Alone

My experience at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon.

The moment I had waited for had finally arrived. Even at 6.00 am, Singapore’s F1 Pit Building was buzzing with activity. Runners were stretching, on their phones, and talking to their running mates. And I was alone, but ready for the 10k run at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. 

I knew I wasn’t the only solo runner there; I could spot a few like me. On their own, on their phones, or just focusing on warming up before we got the green light. I was among strangers for sure, but also kindred spirits – all set to run their best for the anticipated event. 

Time crept by slowly. Five minutes felt like five hours. That’s how it feels when one decides to do a run on her own. The feeling is familiar, as I’ve done 95 percent of runs on my own. Just that this time, I was running in the Lion City. So yes, time crept at a snail’s pace, and I was getting testy, like many others around me. No matter our gender, age, or nationality, we were united in our overwhelming desire for one single moment to arrive – flag-off. 

Then it was finally the moment to ready-get set-GO!

Excitement mounted as we hit the ground running (literally!) I started my little solo running adventure in Singapore feeling elated, free, and determined. From the start, I loved that I could do this run at my own pace, alternating between running and walking. There was no need to match my speed with anyone else’s. 

I smile now as I remember a running mate celebrating when we hit the first km. It was a nice reminder to celebrate the little milestones – both in life and in runs. Whether we knew it or not, we were in this run together, and as time passed, I got familiar with other people’s faces and strides, passing by one another at different moments in the race. 

When the 8th km signage appeared just over 100m after the 7th km, my confusion turned into laughter when a fellow runner remarked that there was a glitch in the matrix. I loved that people of different backgrounds laughed at that joke, making it feel like a truly international event.

For most parts, running on the roads of Singapore felt like therapy, as I took in the sights as much as I could. I left yesterday’s worries behind as I put one foot after another. And when my calves gave me a little pain, I gave myself a quick pep talk and carried on,  celebrating every time I passed another kilometre. 

I couldn’t help but think about my decision many months ago to join the run and the anticipation of running in Singapore. That decision was easy. But waking up at 3 am to get to the venue was another story altogether. As I reached the finish line, I felt happy that I had done what was necessary to be able to run on December 7, 2025. 

I admit, I stopped and took a photo of Marina Bay Sands for a keepsake. I also spent a few extra minutes trying to get a good photo of the Merlion, Singapore’s iconic mascot, only to be disappointed by the results. Even though I lost a few precious minutes, I didn’t feel an ounce of regret or pressure. The only person I had to think about was myself. I carried on the quest to reach the finish line at the Padang and received my finisher medal at 1:42, not my personal best, but I’ll still take it. 

Joining a run away from your home country or city on your own gives you a chance to try new things in different settings. It makes you rethink all those small things that you take for granted – your knowledge of the city, transportation options, and finding your way back after the run.

And no matter how alone you feel after the finish line, there are always people you meet who make you feel you’re never alone. Random strangers came up to me, voluntarily wanting to take my photos since I was on my own. In the end, it’s a reminder that you may have run alone, but you’re never lonely.

If you’ve ever thought about running on your own but weren’t sure, trust me —you can do it. It may not be perfect, but it will be fun, and the memories will stay with you forever.