From national champion to Guinness World Record holder
Soh Rui Yong is more than just a runner — he’s a relentless force in Singapore’s sporting narrative. At 33, he has become the face of long-distance athletics in the city-state, holding four national records across the 5,000m, 10,000m, half marathon, and marathon. His times are not just benchmarks — they’re reminders of how far Singaporean endurance sport has come, and how one individual can shift public perception through sheer consistency, ambition, and discipline.
But in 2025, Soh raised the bar once again. This time, not with a typical race — but by conquering the London Marathon in full formalwear, setting a new Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon run in a suit at 2:39:57. It was a perfect convergence of performance and showmanship. Where others saw novelty, Soh saw a new metric to beat — and he did so by blending strategy, training, and media-savvy timing to full effect.
This moment wasn’t just about breaking a record. It was a statement. It showed that elite athletes can reimagine their platform, challenge stereotypes, and still deliver world-class results. For Soh Rui Yong, the suit was symbolic — a way of proving that even within boundaries, he could rewrite the rules.
A Trailblazer in Singapore Athletics
Soh’s journey is marked by a series of groundbreaking achievements:
National Records: He holds Singapore’s national records in the 5,000m (14:44.21), 10,000m (31:10.70), half marathon (1:06:45), and marathon (2:22:59).
SEA Games Success: Soh clinched marathon gold medals at the 2015 and 2017 Southeast Asian Games, becoming the first Singaporean male to achieve back-to-back victories in this event.
National Champion: He has secured multiple national titles, including five consecutive wins at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, with his latest victory in December 2024.
Beyond the finish line
Soh’s pursuits go beyond athletics. In 2024, he launched the RunSohFast Academy, a grassroots initiative designed to nurture young runners and promote a culture of fitness and discipline. He also completed a law degree from University College London, and as of 2025, is enrolled in an MBA program at London Business School — cementing his reputation as both a scholar and an athlete.
By merging academic rigor with sporting success, Soh is setting a precedent for holistic excellence — where intellectual growth and physical performance reinforce each other.
Looking ahead: From athlete to architect of influence
Soh Rui Yong’s journey is still far from its final lap. As he continues to train, compete, and coach, his story is evolving beyond medals. Whether he’s mentoring aspiring runners through his RunSohFast Academy or navigating academic pursuits in law and business, Soh is actively redefining what it means to be a 21st-century athlete — one who is not only physically elite, but intellectually sharp, community-driven, and commercially aware.
His growing presence across digital platforms, public speaking circuits, and sporting discourse hints at a larger mission: to elevate the status of sports in Singapore from a niche pursuit to a national priority. In many ways, Soh is already doing for long-distance running what Joseph Schooling did for swimming — building belief, especially among younger Singaporeans, that international excellence is not out of reach.
As Singapore pushes for a more competitive presence on the world sporting stage, Soh Rui Yong is no longer just a competitor. He’s become a catalyst — running not just for personal records, but for a new narrative in Asian athletics.
