Chasing Joy, Leading the Pack: Goh Shing Ling’s Blueprint for Longevity in Singapore Running

How ASICS’ 2025 Great Eastern Women’s Run 21.1KM Elite Category Champion and SEA Games athlete is Redefining Success, Discovering Joy, and Finding Longevity on the Road

Shing Ling ahead of flag off in the 2025 META : Time : Trials in Bangkok, Thailand. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / HANA BASIR

For Singapore’s distance running community, 2025 was undeniably the year of Goh Shing Ling. From a sensational breakthrough that saw her qualify for the SEA Games marathon to a dominant victory as the Elite Half Marathon champion at the Great Eastern Women’s Run, Shing Ling solidified her status as an emerging name at the pinnacle of local athletics.

Yet, stepping into 2026, the ASICS athlete isn’t just chasing podiums anymore. She is redefining what it means to be a high-performance athlete in Singapore, shifting her focus from personal accolades to community inspiration.

As part of our month-long Global Running Month series, The A-Team: Performance Diaries, we asked Shing Ling to unpack her evolution, her mentorship of the next-generation ASICS A-Racers, and her choice of ASICS gears that keep her going.

Shing Ling in full flight at the MAGIC SPEED™ Relay in Sentosa earlier this year. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / FLAVIA SIM

The Evolution of "Why": From Chasing PBs to Inspiring Joy

Every runner remembers the early days of lacing up, but rarely does the initial spark look the same after years at the highest level. For Shing Ling, the sport began as a simple pursuit of health before morphing into a relentless chase against the clock.

"When I first started running, my goal was simply to improve my fitness," Shing Ling reflects. "As I began to see progress, I started chasing faster times and wanted to achieve a personal best (PB) in every race. Over time, I realised that is incredibly taxing and not a realistic goal."

Having stood atop local podiums and earned the right to wear national colours, her core motivation has matured.

"Now, I want to inspire others to find the joy in running."

Shing Ling poses for the camera ahead of the MAGIC SPEED™ Relay at Sentosa. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / ALDRICH GOH

The Blueprint for Longevity: Advice to the Next Generation

As a veteran within the local ASICS running family, Shing Ling serves as a vital blueprint for Singapore's emerging talent—particularly the newly launched A-Racers development team. In an era where young athletes often succumb to early burnout, her advice centers on patience and bodily intuition.

"The most important lesson is to listen to your body during training," she warns. "Many runners tend to run through pain, which inevitably results in injuries and burnout. Progress is not linear, and setbacks are a natural part of the process."

However, the elite marathoner is quick to clarify that listening to your body doesn't mean holding back when it counts. "Do not be afraid to push yourself on race day!" she adds with her iconic sheepish smile.

To strike that delicate balance between intense drive and smart recovery, Shing Ling credits her support system. "A big part of that balance comes from trusting and listening to my coach. While I have the inner drive to push my limits, my coach helps me stay objective, knowing exactly when to hold back or prioritise recovery."

Shing Ling in action at the 86th Singapore Open Track and Field Championships. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / ALDRICH GOH

More Than Sponsorship: Elevating Singapore Distance Running

Being a sponsored athlete is often viewed through the lens of product placement, but Shing Ling’s partnership with ASICS runs much deeper. It is an ecosystem that fuels both her individual performance and her connection to the wider community.

"ASICS has provided me with very strong support, from excellent running training gear to race opportunities," she shares.

"But beyond that, it’s the community events like the MAGIC SPEED™ RELAY and META : Time : Trials that stand out. Those events give me amazing opportunities to interact more closely with everyday runners. Knowing I am fully supported allows me to focus completely on my training."

When asked about the definitive legacy she hopes to leave behind in the local sports scene, her sights are set on the collective rise of the community.

"I want to help raise the standard of distance running in Singapore. It is incredibly encouraging to see everyone getting faster right now, and the younger generation looks very promising."

Shing Line en route to her SEA Games qualifying 2:50 marathon at the Gold Coast Marathon in 2025. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / HANA BASIR

The Daily Workhorse: Inside Shing Ling’s Shoe Rotation

While race-day super shoes grab the headlines, elite mileage is built on the quiet, repetitive recovery runs. For Shing Ling, there is one absolute staple in her weekly shoe rotation.

"I always use the NOVABLAST™ series—currently, I am logging miles in the ASICS NOVABLAST™ 5," she reveals. "The FF BLAST™ foam is so soft and cushioned. It gives a nice bit of bounce when I run, making it exceptionally comfortable for those easy recovery miles. It helps me stay consistent with my weekly mileage without feeling overly fatigued."

Looking ahead to the upcoming Autumn/Winter 2026 gear drops, Shing Ling already has her eyes on the highly anticipated ASICS NOVABLAST™ 6.

"I am really looking forward to the updated outsole and improved traction in the NOVABLAST™ 6," she shares. "It’s a small detail, but it makes a massive difference, especially when you are training on wet surfaces in Singapore's humid and unpredictable weather."

Shing Ling in her first META : Time : Trials in Bangkok in 2024, where she came in as Runners-up. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / HANA BASIR

Gear Psychology & Racing Mindset

When it comes to the psychological edge on the starting line, Shing Ling keeps things practical and thermally efficient. "I lean towards lighter apparel colourways," she notes. "They absorb less heat, keeping me cool and locked in when the intensity rises."

Discover More Performance Diaries

Want more insider insights into how Singapore's top athletes train, recover, and perform?

• Read our full ASICS Magic SPEED™ 5 Review: ASICS MAGIC SPEED™ 5 Review: Back to Fast, A Clear Design Direction

• Explore more ASICS athlete features on our page: SportPlus.sg/asics-singapore

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 the 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 raw, behind-the-scenes storytelling, the initiative aims 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.