On 27 April 2025, Soh Rui Yong—aged 33—became the fastest person ever to run a marathon in a three-piece suit and tie, crossing the finish line of the London Marathon in 2:39:57. He eclipsed the previous record of 2:40:53 by almost a full minute, claiming a Guinness World Record with authority (turn0search12, turn0search2).
Over the final kilometres, Soh battled heat and exhaustion. As he described on LinkedIn, “from 35 km onward was the hardest thing I have ever done … thought I was going to pass out from heat stroke.” He credits years of heat training in Singapore and strict hydration strategies for helping him endure three layers of fabric under the London sun (grab‑over‑30 bottles of water over his head, to sip and chug throughout the race).
Training Smart, Running Hard
Soh’s build-up to the record featured highly deliberate preparation. In cold-weather training in Singapore and London, he ran in multiple clothing layers—including the actual suit—mimicking race-day strain. He completed key sessions such as 10×1 km at 3:18–3:11/km in the suit just 12 days before the marathon to test endurance and mobility.
These sessions, paired with structured heat acclimatisation and careful attention to hydration, proved vital. Soh’s regimen demonstrates a holistic focus—tactical, mental, and physiological—designed specifically for this unconventional challenge.
Looking Ahead: SEA Games Ambitions and Education Goals
Following his record-breaking run, Soh has been officially nominated by Singapore Athletics to compete at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, for both the marathon and 10,000 m events. Qualifying successfully in the Houston Marathon earlier in 2025 with a time of 2:27:49, he ensured his spot on the national team (turn0search11).
On the academic front, Soh is pursuing an MBA at London Business School, on top of graduating with a law degree from University College London in September 2024 (turn0search2). This ongoing personal development underscores his dual commitment to sport and professional achievement.
Legacy-Building: Coaching and Community
In January 2024, Soh founded the RunSohFast Marathon Academy, a coaching platform aimed at helping working adults and aspiring runners improve performance and enjoy their journey. His focus on mentorship demonstrates a desire to grow distance running culture in Singapore beyond personal accolades and toward long‑term community upliftment (turn0search9).
Soh’s holistic view also extends to running ethos—training smart, giving back, and inspiring others via example. His record run, SEA Games campaign, and coaching efforts combine to embed a broader message: grit, discipline, and ambition have no boundaries.
