Chasing Horizons: How 24-Year-Old SEA Games Marathoner Richard Heng is Disrupting the Southeast Asian Marathon Distance Running Ecosystem
- John Yeong
- 17 hours ago
- 5 min read
Disrupting the Status Quo: From a Five-Hour Marathon Debut to the International Stage - Inside Richard Heng's Rapid Ascension, Elite Training Philosophy, and ASICS Footwear Fueling His Journey
The marathon has long been considered a veteran’s game—a discipline where peak performance is traditionally unlocked after years of grueling, high-volume aerobic accumulation. But 24-year-old Singapore marathon runner Richard Heng is dismantling that narrative, one stride at a time.
Richard’s transition from a casual road runner to an international-level competitor was underscored by a breakthrough performance at the ASICS Gold Coast Marathon last year which secured a coveted spot for the 2025 SEA Games marathon in Thailand, firmly disrupting the regional distance-running hierarchy.
Now in 2026, Richard is balancing the immense weight of national representation with the pure, uncomplicated joy of running. Reflecting on his breakthrough year, he notes how his underlying motivation has stayed anchored despite his elevated status.
"When I first started running, every run felt exciting because I was constantly discovering a new side of myself," Richard shares. "The feeling is still the same, and that keeps me going till this day."
From a 5-Hour Debut to the Elite Stage
Richard’s path to SEA Games marathon qualification wasn't born out of a decorated childhood track-and-field background. By his own admission, his elite trajectory began relatively late, making his current timeline all the more astonishing.
Competing in the SEA Games marathon was not something that Richard would have expected 7 years ago, after finishing his first marathon in more than 5 hours he admits.
"It showed me that the limits I once believed in were self-imposed, and small checkpoints in the right direction can lead to massive outcomes in the long run. This year, I’m still taking baby steps, to becoming not just a faster but a stronger, more competitive athlete each day."
This rapid progression required a massive shift into high-level athletic training over the past three years. Pushing the boundaries of human endurance at age 24 requires a delicate, highly mature relationship with recovery—a lesson Richard had to learn through pure consistency.
"All my training builds so far has taught me that progress isn't simply about working harder, but keeping it consistent over long periods of time," he explains. "I wouldn’t consider myself one that listens to my body. But over time, I realised that adaptation happens when training and recovery work together. So although I do push my body over the limit occasionally, I also make sure I also push my recovery protocols to the maximum."
"The balance of pushing yourself to the limit, the recovery after the session, and knowing when to say stop is essential to making improvements slowly but steadily," he says.
The Power of the ASICS Partnership and Community Support
As a standout young signing within the ASICS running community, Richard views his sponsorship as far more than just a gear endorsement. For him, the brand provides the psychological safety net required to handle elite-level athletic pressure.
"Being an ASICS athlete means being part of a community that allows me to express my abilities freely, giving me the support to pursue my dreams without pressure from anyone but myself," Richard remarks.
"Whether it's access to world-class equipment, opportunities to connect with fellow athletes, or simply having a team that believes in my journey, this is a partnership that allows me to focus on becoming the best version of myself as both an athlete and a person."
Despite his rapid ascension, Richard remains deeply grounded within his local training circles, heavily crediting peers like fellow elite Singapore distance runner Shohib Marican for guiding his early marathoning blocks.
"The majority of the A-Racers are friends whom I meet and train with quite frequently. I personally have learned a lot from them as well, particularly Shohib, who offered important guidance to me in the past 2 years of my journey. But I guess I can offer a few tips when they do end up moving to the marathon."
Inside the Shoe Rotation: Logging the Recovery Miles
An elite marathon training block demands a meticulous footwear strategy. To absorb the high weekly mileage required for international competitions, Richard leans heavily on a distinct everyday shoe rotation to protect his legs during non-workout sessions.
Shoe Model | Role in Rotation | Key Performance Characteristic |
ASICS NOVABLAST™ 5 | Daily Workhorse / Recovery | Extreme versatility, reliable cushioning for aerobic bases |
ASICS MEGABLAST™ | Heavy Cushioning / Cruising | Maximum energy return, premium comfort |
ASICS NOVABLAST™ 6 (Upcoming) | Future Trainer | Infused with high-end race foam technology |
"The NOVABLAST™ 5 has been a constant in my rotation. It's the only shoe I keep at my doorstep and not the cabinet for when I just want to get in a run," Richard reveals. "Whether it's an easy recovery run after a hard workout or a steady aerobic session, these 'boring' miles are actually where most of the work gets done, and having a reliable shoe makes a huge difference."
Looking toward the upcoming Autumn/Winter 2026 gear drops, Richard is particularly eager to see how the next generation of daily training footwear evolves.
"One thing that caught my attention is the introduction of FF TURBO™ PLUS cushioning within the midsole of the NOVABLAST™ 6. That’s the foam that is currently only found in the MEGABLAST™, a shoe I really love, so seeing elements of that trickle into a daily trainer is exciting. The NOVABLAST™ series has always made everyday running feel more enjoyable due to its versatility—it becoming even more efficient and responsive can allow me to spice up my runs even more."
Mental Prep and Race-Day Psychology
When it's time to swap out the daily trainers for high-performance carbon-plated race shoes, Richard's mental prep narrows down to a specific, almost meditative gear ritual rather than visual aesthetics or bright colourways.
"Race-days are the only time I match the colour of my socks and shoes," he shares. "There's something about me focusing on putting on matching socks and shoes, lacing them up right before the race. It's less about a specific colour and more about feeling those pieces come together. The moment I put them on, I know it's time to let my mind and body get to work."
Shaping a New Future for Singapore Athletics
While personal records and major games podiums are immediate goals, Richard is playing the long game. At just 24 years-old, his ultimate legacy is centered around building a infrastructure that encourages young local talent to shatter conventional performance ceilings.
"So far, my running journey has largely been about seeing how far I can take my own performance. But when I look further ahead, I hope one day I can reach a level where I can inspire many more," Richard reflects.
"In a long time to come, I hope to contribute towards building an ecosystem which athletes can seek out changes and venture out of the norms to chase their potential. With that kind of support in place, young Singaporean runners can then dream bigger than what people traditionally think is possible, and that would be something I'm very proud of."
Join the conversation online by following @asicssg and @sportplus.sg, or use the hashtags #ASICSSG #SoundMindSoundBody #GlobalRunningDay and #TheATeam to share your own running journey.
About ASICS x SportPlus.sg "The A-Team Performance Diaries" Series
This editorial feature is part of a month-long collaborative campaign between ASICS and Sport Plus Media celebrating Global Running Day and Global Running Month. Throughout the month, this exclusive series shines a spotlight on the journey of elite Singaporean athletes and the next generation of rising stars, the ASICS A-Racers. Through this series, we hope to inspire the local community to find their own joy in movement, elevate the standards of local distance running, and foster a sustainable culture of sportsmanship and athletic longevity.
Comments