Running could be considered a national pastime, judging from the
number of running events mushrooming on the sporting calendar these
days. And for good reason, too—you don't need any fancy equipment,
just yourself and a good ol' pair of running shoes. Here, we round
up 12 running routes around Singapore that are great for clocking
some mileage.
The 88-hectare park features a 4.3km track that loops around the
reservoir, offering joggers scenic views of the waterfront. For
nature lovers, the area is home to over 14,000 wetland plants and
the lucky few might even spot birds like swallows, little herons
and kingfishers. What makes this a great place to run is the
variety of dining options along the way, such as Bedok Food Centre
and popular bistro Wawawa.
This coastal park is just 3.3km long. However, you can choose to
continue along Changi Coast Road, where you'll get to see airplanes
taking off and landing (it's parallel to the airport's landing
strip). If you still have fuel left in your tank, you can even race
down East Coast Park before calling it a day.
This leafy off-shore nature sanctuary has a rich ecosystem, with 80
species of birds such as the nationally critically endangered
spotted wood owl, rare plants that were thought to be nationally
extinct and a free-roaming Brahman bull. The 50-hectare park,
located next to Punggol Promenade Nature Walk, has boardwalks that
lead through the island's forest, mangroves and to the
beach.
If you're a seasoned marathon runner, you'll probably be tired of
pounding along this 15km track already (the park almost always
features in marathon events here). That said, however, it's still
favored by many runners—you get to feast your eyes on gorgeous
beach scenery, with the sea breeze in your hair.
This historical park needs no introduction—popular with locals,
expats, tourists and concert-goers alike, the many steps leading up
to the hilltop reserve at Clemenceau Avenue are great for a pre
work-out warm up. And for those who prefer a more challenging run,
it's also where you can find steep slopes and uneven paths, all set
along a trail of heritage
trees.
Not many people are aware of this, but the footpaths along Kallang
River make for great running routes—you'll pass landmarks like the
Singapore Flyer and the F1 Pit Building on one side of the river,
and the Singapore Indoor Stadium and private estates of Tanjong Rhu
on the other. Plus, you'll get to see plenty of dragonboats and
kayaks out on the water, especially on weekends.
Check out luxury yachts docked along this posh waterfront precinct.
Starting from Labrador Park Reserve, this leisurely route brings
you on a straighforward trail along the bay, through the Keppel Bay
Bridge and Keppel Island on a track that measures about
3km.
Long a favorite with endurance athletes and weekend warriors alike,
MacRitchie offers up to almost 11km of terrain. It's easy to
customize your own running route (just be sure not to get lost)—for
instance, you can start off on the boardwalk, or head straight for
the dirt tracks. Cardio bunnies should try the full 10.6km loop
around the reservoir—the undulating trail is tricky and
challenging, to say the least—but the immense sense of satisfaction
you'll get at the end of your run will be oh so worth it.
You'll find lots of business folk running along the promenade after
work. The (approx) 3.5km route is especially scenic, with landmarks
like the Helix Bridge, Marina Bay Sands and the Merlion along the
way. If you're looking for extra mileage, you can even run around
the nearby Kallang Riverside Park before heading back.
Another leisurely trail for non-competitive joggers, this
12.25-hectare waterfront suburban park is popular with families and
cyclists, too. The Punggol Promenade Riverside walk is an ideal
spot for a nighttime run, as it has pretty fiber optic features
that light up after dark and for early birds, the Sunrise Bridge is
where you'll want to be to catch the sunrise.
This neighborhood park is rather picturesque—there's a tranquil,
unspoiled beach that's great for swimming. Plus, the Sembawang Park
Connector runs along the 4km-long Sungei Sembawang, where you'll
get to see an assortment of water birds like kingfishers—it can
break up the monotony of a run nicely.
Take things up a notch with the 9km-long Southern Ridges trail,
which covers Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, Hort Park,
Kent Ridge Park and Labrador Park. Expect lots of steep slopes that
will make your calves and quads cry out for mercy—definitely not
for the faint of heart. However, you'll get to observe loads of
flora and fauna along the way (plus some great views across to
Sentosa), if that's any consolation.
SG