--- title: "Runners turn Marina Square into indoor running track to escape haze, one clocks 21km" url: "/trending-now/runners-turn-marina-square-indoor-running-track-escape-haze-one-clocks-21km" published: "2026-10-19T07:32:33.000Z" updated: "2026-10-19T07:32:33.000Z" section: "Trending Now" authors: ["Trixy Toh"] tags: ["TNP News","half marathon","run","marina square","haze"] --- # Runners turn Marina Square into indoor running track to escape haze, one clocks 21km *Rather than let the haze derail their plans, a group of runners took their workout indoors at Marina Square, with one even clocking a half-marathon.* Rather than let the haze derail their training plans, a group of runners took their workout indoors at Marina Square, with one even clocking a half-marathon. On the morning of Oct 17, running community X-Run Singapore and Key Power Sports brought the idea to life by organising a running event at the mall. An Instagram video posted by user @elmerlss on Oct 17 shows the group running along the mall’s corridors. The user clocked 19km during the run. His video has amassed more than 434,000 views and 90 comments. In a separate post, user @nathan_triathlon shared photos and videos of the event, saying he had completed a half-marathon inside the mall. The unusual sight caught the attention of netizens, with several praising the community’s creativity and determination to keep running despite the haze. One user described it as a “smart workaround”, while others asked how they could join. “When there is a will, there is a way!” one commented. However, some netizens questioned whether running in the mall would be more stuffy due to limited ventilation, while others wondered if cleaners would have to mop up the runners’ sweat afterwards. ## ‘Practical response to the haze’: X-Run Singapore Speaking to Stomp, Joseph Estrella, run lead at X-Run Singapore and retail associate at Key Power Sports, said they saw an opportunity to offer runners a creative alternative to continue their marathon preparations safely amid the haze. The 49-year-old said the event was a collaborative effort between the two groups, with approval from Marina Square’s management. What began as a “practical response to the haze” became a “unique opportunity” to bring runners together and showcase the mall from a different perspective, he added. Estrella said the event also demonstrated how businesses, mall management and running communities could work together to promote active lifestyles and find creative ways to keep people moving despite environmental challenges. A total of 15 runners took part, including newcomers and regular members of X-Run Singapore. The run was held from 7am to 9am, before the mall opened to the public. Participants ran loops across the second and third floors. Estrella added that most runners spent about an hour running, covering distances of 8km to 12km, while two who “went the extra mile” completed 19km and 21km respectively, with the latter marking a half-marathon. “The response was positive,” he said, describing the mall run as a “refreshing change” from typical outdoor routes. Runners also enjoyed the “novelty” of running inside a shopping mall. More importantly, he said the community appreciated being able to continue their training despite the haze. Another session is scheduled for Oct 24. ## Runner clocks half-marathon in mall Nathan Jon Sing, a member of X-Run Singapore, told Stomp that completing a half-marathon inside the mall was not part of his original plan. ![runners Marina Square haze half-marathon](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/stomp/7399bc78f7ff57366785f2ab58655f927c811b07a9f7a9cb7c3e1269f607d447) *With the mall run scheduled to last two hours, he decided to complete a half-marathon before the session ended.* The 32-year-old said he had initially planned a long run as part of his training for Ironman Malaysia next month. With the mall run scheduled to last two hours, he decided to complete a half-marathon before the session ended. “It was my first time running in a mall, so it was definitely a unique experience,” said Sing. He added that the mall run was a “good alternative” to running outdoors amid the haze or spending hours on a treadmill, which would also mean occupying equipment that others might need. Sing said running inside the mall was generally more comfortable, as the air-conditioning was switched on at around 7.30am to cool the premises ahead of its 10am opening. While the cooler environment made the run less strenuous in terms of heat and humidity, he was initially concerned that sweat might make the floors slippery. However, he said the runners did not sweat much, and cleaners had already begun mopping the floors before their run. “We made sure to run the same route to minimise the need for them to do extra cleaning and thanked them along the way,” he said. Although Sing still prefers running outdoors to better prepare for race-day conditions, such as heat, humidity and uneven road surfaces, he said he would be open to another mall run. He described the experience as cool and quiet, with almost no human traffic, although he felt outdoor runs were more “realistic” for race preparation. Speaking to Stomp, Elmer Loy, who covered 19km during the event, also praised the venue as an alternative for his weekly long run. The 31-year-old insurance manager, who is training for the BYD Singapore International Marathon, said he wanted to avoid using a treadmill for long periods as he found it mundane and felt guilty about occupying the equipment for too long. “Would definitely do it again if the haze worsens,” said Loy.