Finding Your Stride in Silence: Nelson Leonardo's Journey From the Back of the Pack to the World Marathon Majors
- SportPlus Feature
- 6 hours ago
- 4 min read
From Solitary Miles to Six-Star Success: How an Introvert Found His Pace and Belonging in the Running Community
For many runners, the sport is loud, social, and defined by high-energy group dynamics. But for the introverted runner, stepping into a bustling running crew can feel deeply intimidating.
Enter Nelson Leonardo. Today, Nelson is a celebrated six-star finisher who has conquered all six Abbott World Marathon Majors. Yet, his journey didn't start with grand podium ambitions or a desire for the spotlight. It began eight to nine years ago as a quiet, solitary endeavor around a 1.5-kilometer neighborhood block—and a signature habit of capturing the road through his lens.
As runners across the island look ahead to the upcoming BYD Singapore International Marathon presented by adidas, Nelson’s story offers a powerful reminder: you don’t have to be the loudest voice in the running community to find where you belong.
The Solo Miles and the Birth of the "Nelfie"
When Nelson first laced up his running shoes, it was purely out of a desire to stay healthy and pick up an accessible sport.
"When I decided to start running, it was really meant to be a solo endeavour. I just wanted to maintain a healthy lifestyle and get into a sport that was accessible and didn’t require a lot of gear to get started (Big mistake. Hahaha. Yes, running is accessible but not cheap!)," Nelson recalls.
Those early solo miles were grueling. Without built-in motivation or a training group, Nelson had to get creative to stay disciplined. He started with a single 1.5km loop around his block, gradually scaling up to two loops and beyond. When he ventured further, he chose scenic routes that gave him a reason to pause, snap photos, and distract himself from the physical challenge.
This habit evolved into his signature "Nelfies"—a unique visual journal capturing his solo relationship with the road. To keep himself accountable, he signed up for a 10K race every single month for two years, until realizing he needed more structural progression and guidance. That realization pushed him to finally seek out running communities.
Navigating the Noise: The Introvert’s Dilemma
Stepping into a high-energy running crew for the first time is rarely easy for someone who prefers quiet spaces.
"I joined a couple of run clubs before I discovered aRSG, and honestly, it was quite overwhelming. I didn’t know anyone, I didn’t really know what to do, and I was too shy to ask around for help. So I often found myself at the back, quietly observing and trying to figure things out on my own."
Early experiences with technical, performance-driven clubs felt overwhelming with information overload. For an introvert who needed space to process, it didn't immediately click.
Everything shifted when he discovered adidas Runners Singapore (aRSG). Known for its vibrant yet inclusive social environment, aRSG provided a refreshing contrast. Nelson didn't feel forced to instantly become the most social person in the room. He could take things at his own pace, enjoying the run while slowly letting his guard down.
The Turning Point: Belonging in the Shadows
The true turning point in Nelson’s running evolution came down to a single moment of simple human connection at the back of the pack.
During one of his early aRSG sessions, former AR Captain Eugene noticed Nelson keeping to himself near the rear. Unprompted, Eugene dropped back to accompany Nelson through the cool-down, offering pep talks and staying by his side until it ended.
"It may have seemed like a small gesture to him, but it meant a lot to me. That moment made me feel seen and, more importantly, that I belonged. I realised that being part of a community doesn't mean you have to be the loudest or most outgoing person in the room."
That single act of inclusivity triggered a powerful chain reaction. By opening up to the community, Nelson transformed his relationship with the sport. Running stopped being just about racking up miles and transformed into an experience defined by shared human connection, deep friendships, and mutual support.
That newfound quiet confidence became the exact fuel Nelson needed to scale the ultimate mountain in endurance sports: completing all six World Marathon Majors. Surrounded by a community that believed in him, his personal ambition grew far beyond what he ever thought possible from his early days running alone around his HDB block.
Celebrating the Journey at the BYD Singapore International Marathon presented by adidas
For Nelson, race day is the ultimate celebration of months of quiet, internal discipline.
"The training is where I tend to enter that meditative state: just me, the road, and a lot of time to question my life choices and decisions. But when race day comes, I try to switch gears. Instead of getting lost in my thoughts, I try to soak in the festivities and enjoy the energy around me."
As thousands of runners converge for major highlights like the BYD Singapore International Marathon presented by adidas, Nelson proves that you can balance an introverted, meditative internal space with an appreciation for collective race-day energy.
Advice for the Introverted Runner on the Sidelines
If you are an introverted runner standing on the sidelines right now—watching a run club roll past, feeling too hesitant or shy to take that initial leap—Nelson has a simple, direct message for you:
"Just go for it and join. Life’s too short to let it pass you by. It might feel intimidating at first, but you’ll never know what you’re missing if you don’t give it a try. Just take that first step, the rest will follow." #SGIM2026 #SgRunning
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