This year in a new development to promote inclusivity, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) will run alongside participants at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) which takes place on 6 & 7 December 2025.

This inclusive new move, which is named as the One Race, Many Journeys initiative, is to celebrate The Westin Singapore’s third straight year as the Official Hotel for the SCSM. 

To announce this, members of the media were invited to a press conference at Cook & Brew, The Westin Singapore. PWDs who have been invited to run SCSM will receive a complimentary slot for any category of their choice. SCSM Ambassadors Natalie Dau and Gregory Burns were also present.

Gregory is a well-known Paralympic swimmer, Ironman athlete and motivational speaker as well as an acclaimed artist in his own right. Having contracted polio at a young age which left him paralysed from the waist down, Gregory has defied and overcome the odds, and has shot to international fame for his accomplishments in life. 

Said Gregory, “I am pleased to see the mainstreaming of people with disabilities into serious public sporting events in Singapore. By normalising such participation, parents and society are encouraged to integrate those with challenges into the community. I am honoured to collaborate with The Westin Singapore, whose commitment to inclusivity shines through in their support of this event as we welcome participants of all abilities and disabilities to push their boundaries together.”

In line with SCSM and The Westin’s initiative, Gregory created an artwork which he unveiled at the press conference. This artwork blended together digital art with contemporary painting techniques and is Gregory’s tribute to all those who are taking part in SCSM 2025, in their journeys to realise their full potential. The artwork will be used on exclusive race merchandise too. 

Said Gregory, “My mixed media artwork captures the transformative journey each runner takes from the starting line to the finish. While we may run alongside others, we ultimately grow with each step and overcome life’s obstacles. Each of us must scale our own walls to realise our potential.”

Natalie, on the other hand, is a seasoned ultramarathoner and well-known motivational speaker in the regional fitness industry, having won all 11 ultramarathons she has taken part in.

She said, “I am incredibly excited to be involved in this initiative spearheaded by The Westin Singapore for the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon this year. The opportunity to participate in mass fitness events should be accessible to everyone. This initiative is one I support deeply because it breaks down barriers, creating more inclusive opportunities for people who might otherwise be excluded from such empowering experiences.” 

At the launch, both Gregory and Natalie shared stories of their inspiring journeys and shared tips with attendees on training, recovery and nutrition for a marathon. 

Runners who are keen to speak to Natalie and Gregory will get their chance as SCSM plan to organise more fireside chats with the ambassadors in the build-up to the marathon. More details are set to be announced. 

Following the launch, the two ambassadors led us on a short 2.4km run around the hotel’s vicinity and the Marina Bay. It was fun to run alongside them both and also hear more of the inspiring stories that they had to share.

Said James Walkden, the General Manager of The Westin Singapore, “This year, we wanted to do more to support the community and encourage more people to get involved. Therefore, we came up with the One Race, Many Journeys initiative to provide complimentary entry to this year’s SCSM to selected para-athletes and demonstrate that there are many ways to get to one destination.”