Purple Lights: Running on Fun, Food, and Friendship in Singapore
In November 2011, a new social running event was born in the city-state of Singapore. Purple Lights was started by a group of friends who wanted to meet weekly to run beautiful routes and, just as importantly, conclude each run with a good meal together. What began with this simple formula has evolved into one of the most enduring and respected crews in the Asian running scene —a community that does not define itself by speed or distance, but by conversation and camaraderie.
A Philosophy of Fun and Friendship
The philosophy of Purple Lights is that personal fitness is a natural side effect of having fun, not the other way around. For them, the main goal is to enjoy the run and, more importantly, the company. They believe in the power of conversation to lift spirits and make a run more enjoyable. This is beautifully captured in their motto, "The difference is that you ran today," which celebrates participation over performance. They welcome everyone, from first-time runners to accomplished veteran marathoners, creating a pressure-free environment where the main goal is to enjoy the experience together.
The crew's name, "Purple Lights," has deep local roots. It was adapted from an old military song well-known in Singapore, as all men are required to serve a mandatory National Service. The song was traditionally sung during long route marches to keep morale high, a fitting tribute for a crew that believes conversation and camaraderie are what lift their spirits during a run. This local identity is paired with a global reach. As long-standing members of the Bridge the Gap (BTG) movement, Purple Lights has forged friendships with crews worldwide and played a significant role in the regional scene as co-founders and co-organizers of the annual #BTGBALI event.
Weekly Runs, Meals, and Conversations
The culture of Purple Lights is a perfect blend of running and eating. A routine has formed over the years where the crew runs every Wednesday evening in the iconic Marina Bay area. They also often meet up on Sunday mornings for a run outside the city. Every run is followed by a meal, a tradition that answers the common question, "Won't I put back all the calories?" with the simple philosophy: "We have to eat anyway." It is during these meal times that the true community spirit shines, bringing together a diverse group of professionals—from creatives and musicians to doctors and even fragrance chemists.
Purple Lights extends a warm invitation to any runner in Singapore who believes that running should be an expression of fun and enjoyment. For those who enjoy good conversation and camaraderie as much as the run itself, they are encouraged to connect with the crew via their official social media channels to join their next run and post-run meal.
The Singapore Running Scene
As one of the city's pioneering crews, Purple Lights is a central pillar of the running community in Singapore. The city-state is a major hub for the run crew movement in Southeast Asia and is home to a diverse array of other groups, each with its own unique identity. This rich ecosystem of crews creates a vibrant and supportive network for runners of all types.
The city of Singapore is a unique and stunning place to run. Known as the "Garden City" for its incredible commitment to integrating green spaces into its dense, modern urban landscape, it offers a beautiful and futuristic backdrop for a run. The tropical climate provides a year-round training ground for its passionate and resilient running community.
The home base for Purple Lights' weekly run is one of the most breathtaking urban running routes in the world: the loop around Marina Bay. This route takes runners past iconic landmarks, including the magnificent Marina Bay Sands hotel, the futuristic "supertrees" of Gardens by the Bay, and the mythical Merlion statue. For their Sunday runs outside the city, they explore the island's many nature reserves and parks, such as the trails around MacRitchie Reservoir or the long coastal path of East Coast Park. The premier racing event in the city is the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label race that brings the global running community to their streets.
