Singapore T100 marked the first stop on the 2025 T100 Triathlon World Tour, with the incredible race course and the tough conditions providing plenty of fireworks in the PRO racing. But it wasn’t just the world’s top elites who were taking on the 100km distance in Singapore. A strong field of age-groupers were also testing their limits against the Marina Bay backdrop.
To find out what it’s really like to race Singapore T100 as an age-grouper, we spoke to Arthur Tong – a Team T100 Community Captain and a triathlon coach local to the area. Read on to get Arthur’s first-hand account of what it was like to be out there sharing the same race course as the professionals. Plus, get his top tips on how to prepare and the must-visit locations in Singapore if you’re considering the race for 2026. You can also read our comprehensive race guide for even more details!
Iconic, awe-inspiring race course – even for a local!
For visitors, racing Singapore T100 is a great way to experience the city from a unique perspective. But Arthur highlights that it’s still pretty spectacular even if you’re a local. “The Singapore T100 race is worth doing because you’re racing on a course that on an average day, even for a Singaporean, you will never be able to race/train on outside of the event.”
“Imagine diving into the iconic Marina Bay, an experience reserved for just one day a year. Then, feel the thrill as you zoom over the Benjamin Sheares Bridge, a highway usually dominated by cars. And while you can run through Marina Bay on any given day, never like this, when the roads are closed, the skyline surrounds you, and the city comes alive just for you at the T100 race. It’s Singapore like you’ve never seen it before, on foot, on wheels, and in the water.”
“This once-a-year event is truly exclusive, offering the most iconic views of the city. Even as a Singaporean, you can’t help but be in awe of the sights as you swim, cycle, and run through this incredible landscape.”
Spectator-friendly with an electric atmosphere
Singapore is obviously an incredible backdrop for a triathlon. But we all know that we need more than nice scenery to keep us motivated when things get tough mid-race. There’s nothing quite like the cheers from the crowds to keep you moving! And by the sounds of it, the spectators in Singapore were out in force.
“I’m a little biased because I’m in a tri club I started, so everyone was out there supporting me and our team mates. At one point, I was walking on the run course because of a cramp, and people were shouting my name from all directions. I thought, ‘Damn, there are too many of them here—I can’t walk now!’ Everyone was yelling, ‘No walking!’ The atmosphere was just incredible.”
“What makes this course truly unique is how spectator-friendly it is. I’ve done my fair share of middle and full-distance races around the world, and the Singapore T100 course stands out for how well it’s designed for spectators.”
“What’s great about the bike course is that it’s made up of five loops to cover the 80 km, so you get to see your supporters often throughout the ride. It’s a big contrast to other races where you see your friends and family as you leave transition—and then it’s goodbye for the next three hours!”
“The run course consists of a 4.5-kilometre loop, with spectators lining the route around Marina Bay Sands. Thanks to the sheltered areas, many of them stay throughout the race, creating a constant wave of support. Even down at Marina Barrage, where there’s little to no shelter, there were still people cheering all the way to the end. It was truly heartening to see such dedicated support along the entire course.”
Plenty of aid stations to help you take on the hot and humid conditions
One of the reasons that Singapore T100 is such an epic challenge is the heat and the humidity. But would-be racers looking at this event for next year will be glad to know that there’s plenty of very well-stocked aid stations all along the course to help you keep cool when the heat is on.
“There was absolutely enough aid stations,” Arthur reflected. “I was one of the later waves to start, I can say that even towards the end of the race, the aid stations were properly equipped. Up to the brim!”
“The bike course was designed with just one aid station, and initially, when I looked at the map, I thought there might not be enough. However, the course is a 16 km loop, so even for slower riders, you’ll always reach an aid station within a reasonable distance. Given the hilly terrain, I felt confident I wouldn’t run out of fluids or nutrition. Knowing I’d reach an aid station soon allowed me to stay on track with hydration and restock when needed, which worked out perfectly.”
“The run had more than enough aid stations, all of which were very well stocked. I brought my own gels, the same type provided on the course. I had four with me, but after seeing the aid stations stocked with so many gels, I decided to ditch mine on the table, not having to carry all those gels in my pocket, and confident that the next station would have plenty. The aid stations were excellent—cups were always full, the ice stations stayed well stocked despite the heat, and there was an abundance of cola and sponges. They never once ran out of supplies.”
Watching the PROs race the day before is the ultimate dress rehearsal to get last minute tips for your own race
“Getting to race on the same course as the pros and watch their races is really cool,” says Arthur. And it was also pretty useful, he explains. “Because the age groupers were racing Singapore T100 on Sunday morning and the first pro race was on Saturday night, it was a perfect opportunity for everybody to tune in, watch it live and understand how the course runs.”
“It was like a pre-race rehearsal and you are vicariously learning how the course is going to affect your race by watching the pros do it first. Everybody was in our group chat saying: ‘okay, watch this climb. Don’t overcook it.’ So seeing the pros take on the course is a great learning opportunity when you watch the first race. It was like a dress rehearsal. You learn by watching them, and then you do your race. It’s also nice that once you finish your own race, then the second pro race happens, which is the entertainment part!”
Top tips for racing Singapore T100: It’s all about the bike pacing
Singapore T100 has got to be top of the bucket list for plenty of age-group triathletes. But it’s also a challenge that shouldn’t be underestimated – so preparation is key.
“For the Singapore T100, bike pacing is absolutely critical because there’s never an easy climb. The climbs are intense, with an average gradient of around 9%. With every loop, you climb the Benjamin Shears Bridge three times. Pacing on the bike is crucial—if you don’t manage it well, you’ll prematurely fatigue your legs. And then, as I experienced, when you hit the run, it can all fall apart.”
“I saw many people pushing hard on the gears and staying in aero position during the climb, which probably wasn’t the wisest approach. It’s important to stay relaxed on the climb and sit taller to help regulate your breathing.”
Pick your bike gearing ratio wisely
“As for bike setup, I recommend equipping yourself with a larger cassette, like one with a 34-36 tooth, to improve your climbing capability. A lighter gear ratio helps prevent premature leg fatigue, allowing you to maintain a consistent cadence and save energy for the rest of the race.”
“Using a gear ratio that’s too heavy for the terrain can drain your legs quickly, making it harder to recover for the run. A larger cassette gives you the leverage you need to climb efficiently without overexerting yourself.”
The ultimate ‘must-visit’ in Singapore
Singapore T100 is a prime race-cation candidate – after all, you wouldn’t want to travel all that way to one of the world’s most iconic cities without taking a few extra days to experience everything it has to offer! Since Arthur is a local, we wanted to get his insight on what not to miss while you’re in town.
“I would definitely recommend going up to Level 33, as it offers one of the best views of Marina Bay. People often visit Singapore and want to go to Marina Bay Sands, which is iconic. However, Level 33 provides a unique perspective, allowing you to take in the full view of Marina Bay.”
“I’d also suggest exploring the local food scene. While Lau Pa Sat is a bit touristy, there are other great spots, like the East Coast Park Lagoon. It’s a local favourite, and many grassroots triathlons are held nearby, right next to the lagoon.”
The verdict: Singapore T100 ratings
From the “awe-inspiring” course to the spectator friendly set up – it sounds like Arthur had a great time out on the race course at Singapore T100. But to get his final verdict, we asked for his ratings out of 10.
If Arthur’s experience has inspired you to add Singapore T100 to your race calendar for next year, take a look at our in-depth race guide which gives you everything you need to know from travel and accommodation to the course details. Vancouver is the next stop on the 2025 T100 Triathlon World Tour – stay tuned as we’ll be bringing you all the PRO racing details right here on TRI247.
