Why more women in Singapore are taking up running and signing up for marathons

It’s no secret that running has seen a serious glow-up in Singapore over the past few years—especially among women. What once felt like a solo sport has now evolved into something bigger: a shared experience, a way to build community, and for many, a step into competitive territory. As a result, more women are putting their best foot forward (quite literally), challenging themselves to reach new personal bests by signing up for 5Ks, 10Ks, half-marathons, and marathons.

With the boom in running clubs across Singapore, we’ve also seen different groups sprouting up around the island to meet the growing demand from passionate runners.

To find out what’s fueling this wave—and how beginners can get started—I spoke with Vanessa Lee, a 27-year-old national athlete affectionately known as Singapore’s “Distance Queen.” She shares what keeps her going, her tips for staying consistent, and how running clubs like the newly re-launched PUMA NITRO Run Club are helping more women take their runs to the next level.

More women in Singapore are signing up for runs, from 5Ks to marathons. What do you think is driving this trend?

Since the lockdown, running has quietly become one of Singaporeans’ favourite ways to stay active. For many, it started as a way to get out of the house and feel healthier—but along the way, it also became a way to connect with others. That’s why local running clubs have been popping up everywhere, and they’re not just for seasoned runners. Women are going for more runs and even building new friendships through the sport. It’s more than just exercise—it’s a whole community.

For women who are new to running, what’s the best way to ease into the sport without feeling overwhelmed?

Find your group or find a friend or community. If you’re feeling very overwhelmed or you’re just afraid to start by yourself, it’s always easier to start something with a friend so you can motivate each other to run, and eventually it’ll be a regular activity that you can do together. 

What are the most common mistakes beginner runners make, and how can they avoid them?

I think one of the most common mistakes is that people think that they have to improve every single training. Some of them try to force themselves to intensify their interval trainings each week, or run faster and spend less time resting. But that doesn’t have to be the case because your body needs rest and recovery. And that’s how you improve; it’s actually through rest and recovery, not through doing more intervals. 

What would you recommend the rest period should be like?

It depends. I think the biggest misconception is that they have to improve with each training, but that’s not the case. So my recommendation is to look at the big picture. It takes time to see a difference, so it’s important to stay consistent. It doesn’t have to be like, “Yes, this session I’m good” Then the next session has to be better and better. It’s an up-and-down progress.

How do programmes like the PUMA NITRO Run Club help women take their running to the next level?

So PUMA NITRO Run Club, is more performance-focused. They are going to come up with more structured and progressive training. I think it’s a good guide because you have very experienced coaches like Jacky, who will be around to check on your overall progress and check on your current levels and help you work towards your goal. 

What’s a good training structure for someone transitioning from casual running to training for a 5K or 10K?

I think it’s just good to implement interval training and run at a pace that you’re comfortable pushing yourself with. Casual running is like easy runs, but when you really want to aim for a certain goal, intervals will definitely help with your runs. 

Do you see a strong sense of community among female runners, and how does that impact motivation and consistency?

I think the female community has been up and coming. I mean, personally, I’m not really into running clubs, but I see a lot of female runners joining run clubs. I think, in general, women have always been very supportive of each other. You have things like the Great Eastern Women’s Run, which is once a year, and you see all these women gather with each other, and it’s always very encouraging.

What keeps you personally motivated to train and compete at a high level?

I like it. I really enjoy running and I think I’m addicted to it. I run every day, depending on the programme, but for an easy run, I usually run for about an hour. For something more challenging, I would probably go for interval runs. 

For women who struggle with consistency, how do you recommend staying disciplined and making running a habit?

I think the easiest way is to just stick to it for a while. I know that sometimes it’s hard to wake up in the morning, sometimes it’s hard to find time after a long day at work, and it’s just hard to get out there. I have those days as well, but I think if you stick to it and you stick to a routine where it becomes part of your lifestyle, it gets easier.

But it’s not just that. One of the main reasons why I keep doing what I’m doing is because of the community. So, find your community and find your friends. It’s always hard to motivate yourself, but other people might motivate you, and in turn, you’re motivating others as well.

How do you celebrate milestones and achievements in your running journey, and why is it important for beginners to do the same?

I will indulge and give myself a treat after the run. You know, like pizza, burgers, and fries. I see it as a cheat meal to celebrate. So once we’re all done, we’re all like, “McDonald’s it is!”

This applies to beginners as well. You should celebrate your milestones because you deserve it. You’ve achieved your goal, you worked hard for it, you should have fun and treat yourself and then come back to it again.

When it comes to running, Vanessa reminds us, progress isn’t always linear—and that’s okay. What matters is showing up, finding your rhythm, and leaning on a community that supports you. Of course, it’s important to be disciplined with your routine, which, understandably, many of us are still guilty of and struggle with. 

That being said, if you’re looking for a community to keep yourself accountable or you’re looking to take your training up a notch, the PUMA NITRO Run Club is a great place to start. With structured, performance-based sessions led by experienced coaches, the trainings that will be held every Tuesday are designed to help runners of all levels work toward their goals. Who knows? You might just be signing up for your next marathon this year too.

Check out PUMA NITRO Run Club for more information.