“Opportunity Meets Preparation”: Serena Teoh Breaks Through at the Seoul Marathon
- John Yeong
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Singapore’s national marathoner reflects on a career-defining sub-3 finish and what it took to get there
In the crisp spring air of South Korea’s capital, Singaporean marathoner Serena Teoh crossed the finish line of the Seoul Marathon—and quietly shattered a long-standing barrier in her career: the elusive sub-3-hour marathon.
For Teoh, it wasn’t just a number. It was a culmination of years of perseverance, near misses, and quiet belief—now transformed into an electrifying personal milestone.
“I felt a renewed sense of confidence and accomplishment,” Teoh reflects. “After so many years of trying and believing, it finally happened.”
The Race That Came Together
Going into Seoul, the target wasn’t new. In fact, it had hovered around Teoh for years—suggested by peers, expected by some, and quietly pursued through relentless training blocks. But it had always remained just out of reach.
“It was always something people told me I could do,” she says. “But somehow, I just never managed to execute it. For Seoul, the training went well, and on race day, I felt good and could execute as planned.”
And execute she did. With a combination of steady pacing, strength, and confidence built over months of consistent training, Teoh finally broke through the 3-hour barrier, an achievement that has eluded many talented runners. Read our SportPlus.sg related feature on "Breaking the 3-hour Barrier" here.
Balancing Life and the Long Run
Behind the personal best was a demanding few months that saw Teoh adjusting not just to a training schedule, but to life itself. She had recently taken on a new job, forcing her to recalibrate her routines and juggle professional demands with marathon training. Add to that the constant dance with minor injuries—familiar territory for any seasoned runner—and it becomes clear that this was no fairy tale sprint to the finish.
“Finding a new routine to fit in training with work, and coping with those small injuries—that was the biggest challenge,” she admits.
Yet, she stayed committed. Her training for Seoul was a structured mix of easy runs, targeted workouts, and strength training sessions in the gym—nothing overly glamorous, but rooted in consistency.
When the Breakthrough Comes
What does it feel like when years of grind finally pay off?
“It’s an incredible feeling when opportunity finally meets preparation,” Teoh says, echoing the sentiment of elite athletes who know there are no shortcuts in the long game of distance running.
And even with the high of a major breakthrough still fresh, Teoh isn’t quite ready to slow down. “Let’s see, maybe the Gold Coast Marathon!” she shares with a smile. “I haven’t had much downtime since Seoul, but let’s see how this goes.”
Words to Run By
For runners chasing their own goals—whether it’s a sub-3, sub-4, or simply their next personal best—Teoh offers a simple yet powerful piece of advice:
“Put the work in, and keep believing. Live your future in the present.”
Spoken like someone who’s been there, tried, failed, and finally triumphed. Serena Teoh’s story is a reminder that sometimes, the finish line is just the beginning. #SeoulMarathon #SerenaTeoh #Marathon