SCSM 2009 - Standchart Bank

Business Times - 10 Jul 2009


Stanchart extends sponsorship of S'pore marathon

By BRANDON CHEW

STANDARD Chartered bank yesterday renewed its title sponsorship of the Standard Chartered Marathon until 2012.

Stanchart, which has sponsored the annual event since 2002, will spend $10 million on sponsorship and promotion over the next four years.

Registration fees and prize money will kept at present levels, despite rising costs and recessionary pressures.

New Balance was also unveiled yesterday as apparel sponsor for this year's race, which will held on Dec 9.

Stanchart chief executive Lim Cheng Teck said that the bank's support is a sign of its 'commitment to the community which has been home to us for 150 years'.

Thanks in part to Stanchart's efforts, the number of race participants has grown from 6,000 in 2002 to 50,000 last year.

Singapore Sports Council chief executive Oon Jin Teik praised the bank's consistent support. 'Sponsorship has a significant role to play in developing a vibrant sports culture in Singapore,' he said. 'Sports events are an excellent platform for companies to differentiate themselves from competitors.'

Mr Lim wants to see the event become 'the best in Asia and among the top marathons in the world'. The way to achieve this is through 'superior event organisation and operations' to create a great experience for runners and spectators, he said.

Registration for the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon will open next Thursday.

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