Redefining the Marathon: Singapore’s Young SEA Games Debutants Challenge Age Myths - Fit Talk Podcast with Chermaine and JX [Ep 10] ft Richard Heng and Goh Shing Ling

Young, Relentless, and Ready: Singapore’s SEA Games Marathon Debutants Richard Heng and Goh Shing Ling Share Their Journey on Fit Talk Podcast

Richard Heng (2nd from left) and Goh Shing Ling (3rd from left) are SEA Games bound. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / HANA BASIR

As Singapore gears up for an exciting edition of the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand, two young marathon debutants—Goh Shing Ling (26) and Richard Heng (23)—are capturing national attention.

In a recent episode of the Fit Talk Podcast, hosted by Chermaine Zhou and Haw Jiaxuan, the duo opened up about training, balance, motivation, and what it truly means to earn a place on the Singapore team.

This exclusive conversation offers rare insight into how two rising long-distance athletes are reshaping perceptions of marathon running in Singapore.

Is Distance Running Really a Sport for Mature Athletes?

The marathon has long carried the stereotype of being an “older athlete’s event,” but Richard suggests this belief is shifting.

Richard: “Back in the day when tech wasn’t as common, it was harder for athletes to juggle shorter distances and the marathon. But now, with better technology and knowledge, younger athletes can try both.”

He highlights how national icons Soh Rui Yong and Mok Ying Ren clinched SEA Games gold at just 24–25—proof that youth can still shine in endurance sports.

Richard Heng and Goh Shing Ling share their SEA Games journeys at SportPlus Studios. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / HANA BASIR

But does being young actually confer an advantage?

Shing Ling: “For the marathon, being younger doesn’t give you an edge. Starting young simply means you begin endurance training earlier. I would say experience matters more than age.”

Balancing Training With Work, Studies, and Life

Marathon training demands immense commitment—and both athletes are honest about the sacrifices.

Shing Ling: “You definitely have to put in a lot of mileage and time. I can’t hang out with friends after work. It’s about prioritising what you value more.”

She reveals her unusual but determined workaround: “On Friday nights I still go out… then I come back and run at 2am.”

Hosts Haw Jiaxuan (left) and Chermaine Zhou on Fit Talk Podcast. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / HANA BASIR

Richard, meanwhile, tries to maintain balance—but admits it’s complicated.

Richard: “I like to think I have training, studies, and social life checked. But when friends who aren’t runners ask me out, they may not understand why I can’t make dinners.”

Setbacks, Tough Sessions, and Mental Resilience

Both athletes display refreshingly honest self-awareness.

Shing Ling: “I have a weak mentality. If something feels too tough, I may not finish the workout. But you can always run another workout or another race. I’ve been fortunate not to be injured.”

Richard uses a strict emotional rule to stay grounded:

Richard: “I only dwell on a workout for 24 hours, and a race for 48 hours. After that, life moves on. The training still benefits you regardless of the race outcome.”

Richard Heng running at the Gold Coast Marathon. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / HANA BASIR

Young Athletes to Watch at the SEA Games

Richard is especially inspired by emerging regional talent.

Richard: “There’s this Malaysian runner, Kristian Tung—only 20, and already running times faster than our national records. He’s relentless, always thirsty for more. I want to bring that mindset into my own training.”

Representing Singapore—A Dream Realised

When asked how it feels to be representing Singapore, both runners describe a sense of surreal gratitude.

Shing Ling: “I never thought I’d hit this timing. I’m still very new to competitive running. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity.”

Goh Shing Ling running in the Gold Coast Marathon that qualified her for the SEA Games. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / HANA BASIR

She laughs recalling her earlier Strava bio: “Doing it for the jacket.”

Richard’s excitement is building—but still controlled.

Richard: “We were really hyped when the email came. But emotions will probably settle only when I arrive in Thailand. For now, I’m still thinking about my next workout.”

The Road to Qualification

Both runners qualified under dramatic conditions.

Shing Ling’s near-miss finish:

“At 41km I slowed a lot and the 2:50 pacers passed me. I thought the dream was over. With 250m left, I checked my watch and saw I had one minute. I just kept running—and made the mark right on the dot.”

Richard’s weather battle in Japan on his first attempt this year:

“The forecast said 15°C, but on race day it shot from 20°C to 30°C. I knew it wouldn’t be great, so I adjusted expectations. I met the qualifying time by 10 seconds.”

Role Models and Inspirations

Richard attributes much of his growth to a local mentor:

Richard: “Gordon Lim helped me a lot when I first started in 2022. I went from 3:20 to 2:57 to 2:33. He’s someone I constantly look toward.”

For Shing Ling, inspiration is closer to heart:

Shing Ling: “I was inspired by the 2015 SEA Games sprints. But the person who motivates me daily is my boyfriend—I want to be fast enough to follow him in workouts.”

A New Era for Singapore Marathon Running

The stories of Goh Shing Ling and Richard Heng reflect a new generation of Singapore distance runners—young, driven, informed, and unafraid to challenge norms.

Their SEA Games debut is not just a personal milestone, but a symbol of how far Singapore’s endurance scene has come.

As these two athletes toe the start line in Bangkok, they carry with them not just their own dreams, but the hopes of a growing local running community cheering them on. #SEAGames2025 #SEAGamesThailand #FitTalkPodcast