Shalindran Sathiyanesan, or Shali, as he’s more commonly known, has spent most of his life on both sides of the track.
A former SEA Games 400m sprinter, Shali brings over a decade of experience across high-performance sport, athlete development, and sports administration. Previously, he served as General Manager at Singapore Athletics where he worked closely with national athletes and stakeholders to support Singapore’s athletics ecosystem.
Today, Shali leads BYD Singapore International Marathon presented by adidas with a clear philosophy: to deliver a race that runners can trust, one that respects the commitment it takes to sign up, train, and show up on race day.
As the marathon starts to gather pace and take shape, we sat down with him to discuss the upcoming event and the sport.
Q: What does it mean to be in charge of Singapore’s national marathon?
A: It’s a responsibility we take very seriously. For many runners, this isn’t just another race — it’s a goal they plan their year around. As the event promoter, our role is to honour that commitment by delivering a race that is well-managed, safe, and respectful of every participant who shows up at the start line.
Q: How has your experience as an athlete shaped how the marathon will be organised?
A: My experience from several different roles, representing as a national athlete, serving as a Team Manager at major competitions like the SEA Games, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games, as well as being involved with organising the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore, allowed me to view sports from different angles.
These perspectives refine my understanding to be more practical and find what really matters on the ground. You start to pay attention to the small but important details, such as whether hydration points are spaced appropriately or how supported runners feel when fatigue sets in during the later stages of a race. Those kinds of details often make the biggest difference to the athlete experience, and they shape many of the decisions we make when planning the marathon.
Q: What are you most excited for runners to experience at this year’s event?
A: I’m most excited for runners to experience a race weekend that feels grounded in community. From sign-up to race day, I want runners to feel that this is an event built with care where the fundamentals are done right. We hope to earn their trust over time and grow the marathon into a world-class sporting event that is recognised internationally.
Q: What do you love most about running?
A: Running has an honesty to it. It teaches you discipline, resilience, and humility very quickly. No matter how prepared you think you are, the outcome is always earned, not given. That’s something that stays with you long after competition ends, and it’s a mindset I carry into how we approach the marathon.
Q: What advice would you give to someone participating for the first time?
A: Respect the distance and trust your preparations. A marathon is as much about patience as it is about fitness. Start conservatively, stay present, and remember why you signed up in the first place. The finish line will take care of itself.
WHAT’S NEW & WHAT’S NEXT
Q: What can runners look forward to this year?
A: We’re building on what already works, with a sharper focus on the fundamentals that matter to runners. This includes increased attention to pacing support, hydration points, and medical coverage — details that make a real difference when runners are pushing their limits on race day. Runners can look forward to a more thoughtfully managed race environment and enhanced runner welfare.
More than a change in name or partners, this marks a new chapter shaped by runners, volunteers, sponsors, and the wider community.
Q: What can runners expect beyond race day?
A: We’re moving towards a more holistic, year-round approach. Beyond race day, this includes structured training initiatives, deeper community engagement, and a race environment that mindfully supports runners throughout their journeys.
Our aim is to create a more rewarding experience for participants while building the BYD Singapore International Marathon presented by adidas into a national event the community can proudly rally behind.
As Singapore’s national marathon enters its next chapter, our focus is clear: to build an event that extends beyond a single race day and grows steadily with its community.
Guided by the perspectives of runners and years of experience, the evolution of this beloved race will be grounded in getting the fundamentals right, earning trust over time, and delivering an experience Singapore can be proud to call its national marathon.
