It is November, and we have exactly one month to go before the flag-off of the first BYD Singapore InternationalMarathon! Over the next four stories leading up to the biggest race of the year, Running Shots will take a look at key issues affecting race culture and last minute prep for the mother of all race..

We kick off our series with “Bandit Running”—the bane of race directors all over the world, but an act that is rapidly gaining popularity as race fees continue to soar.

What is Bandit Running?

Simply put, a “bandit” is an unauthorized, unregistered participant who enters and completes part or all of an official race route without an official entry or bib.

The 4 Categories of Kiasu Bandit Runners

  1. The Pacer Bandit

  • These runners jump onto the course halfway to run alongside a friend or family member, usually without a bib. Their primary mission is to act as an unofficial pacer. This is most commonly seen when a well-meaning partner decides to “escort” their significant other. Happens all the time especially at all women’s races where it is common to see men running side by side with their girlfriend or wife.
  • Real-World Case: In the 2025 New York Marathon,a tiktoker jumped into the course when his friend appeared and both of them went on to claim a finisher medal!

  1. The No-Bib Bandit

  •  These individuals run the entire course without registering or wearing a bib, but they have zero qualms about consuming course resources. They balk at paying the race fee but happily grab the isotonic drinks, water, and energy gels meant for paying participants.
  • Real-World Case: This behavior caused massive outrage at the Miami Marathon, where race directors and marshals caught over 200 No-Bib Bandits. 

  1. The Bib Forger

  • These are the worst types of bandits. They intentionally download race bib photos shared by legitimate participants on social media, replicate the design, and print fake bib numbers to bypass course marshals, access restricted starting pens, and sneak off with a Finisher Medal and Tee.
  • Real-World Case: Social media “thawing” has made this a global headache. Recently, Marathon Investigation exposed a bandit who crashed a Chicagoland race, crossed the line first, and took the winner’s podium and prizes from the rightful champion.
  • bandit-runner-steals-win-and-prize-at-chicagoland-race.html

  1. The Bib Swapper 

  • This involves running under a bib assigned to someone else without transferring the registration through official channels. This usually happens with good intentions—someone gets injured or has a last-minute conflict, so they pass their bib to a friend so the registration fee doesn’t “go to waste”. However, a more sinister trend has emerged where runners hire fast “ghost runners” to run on their behalf specifically to use the fast timing to qualify for prestigious races (like the Boston Marathon) that they otherwise couldn’t reach on their own.
  • Real-World Case: Back in 2011 during the Sundown Marathon, a 14 years old boy ran using his girlfriend’s father’s bib and claimed the 1st prize in the 10 km Men’s Veteran category depriving the rightful winner of the prize presentation moment. https://ripleyruns.blogspot.com/2011/06/jacky-ong-seriously-i-just-wanna-run.html

Why is this a problem? (The Impact Breakdown)

Impact Area

Consequences
Safety & Medical Liability Organizers maintain critical emergency contacts, tracking metrics, and medical logs for every registered bib. If an unregistered bandit collapses on the course, first responders cannot properly identify them, won’t know who their Next of Kin is, and—worst of all—might mistakenly administer medication that conflicts with their undisclosed medical history.
Resource Depletion Unaccounted runners directly drain aid station supplies (water, electrolytes, gels) and finisher amenities. There is nothing more frustrating than paying $100+ for a race ticket only to find the hydration stations completely bone-dry because a horde of bandits drank everything first.
Race Integrity & Records Ghost running and unauthorized transfers completely corrupt age-group results, gender divisions, and official qualifying standings.

Thinking of banditing the BYD Singapore InternationalMarathon? Don’t sabo yourself!

If you are planning to crash the race or ask a friend to run on your behalf, take note of the official event rules:

  • To the Bib Swappers: The BYD Singapore InternationalMarathon strictly prohibits unofficial bib transfers. However, if you are injured or have a last-minute business trip, don’t pass it to a friend! You can officially cancel your slot via the runner portal before 27 November 2026 and receive an 80% refund on your race fee.
  • To the Pacer Bandits: Save your energy. The event provides fully trained, official pacers who are trained to hit precise target times. Tell your friends and family to follow them instead—it’s safer and highly accurate.
  • To the No-Bib Bandits: Good luck trying. Security and marshals will actively block unauthorized runners from entering the starting pens. If you are caught on the course during the event—especially along the final 1 km stretch to the finish line—you will be promptly evicted.
  • To the Bib Forgers: Just don’t. There is zero pride in wearing a fake piece of paper to claim a finisher shirt you didn’t earn. Your name won’t be on the timing sheet, and when you are caught, you risk getting blacklisted and banned from all future local and international running events.

Run fair, run safe, and let’s keep the Singapore running scene clean!