Serena Teoh: A Comprehensive Biography of Singapore’s Resilient Marathon Star
Early Life and Introduction to Athletics
Born in 1987 in Singapore, Serena Teoh’s athletic journey began in swimming and biathlon during her school years. While she represented her junior college in swimming and dabbled in track events like the 400m, running was not her initial focus. Her passion for endurance sports ignited after relocating to Basel, Switzerland, in 2015 for her career as a risk analyst. Inspired by Switzerland’s scenic landscapes and supportive running community, she joined the Basel Running Club and began training seriously in her late 20s.
Breakthroughs and National Records
Half Marathon Dominance
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2019 Gran Canaria Half Marathon: Teoh shattered Singapore’s national record with a time of 1:22:07, surpassing Mok Ying Rong’s 2016 mark (1:23:14). This unexpected achievement came during a tune-up race for the Tokyo Marathon, showcasing her burgeoning potential.
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2024 World Athletics Recognition: Her half marathon PB was later ratified as 1:23:40, ranking her among Singapore’s elite distance runners.
Marathon Milestones
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2019 SEA Games (Philippines): Represented Singapore in the marathon, finishing 5th (3:00:47) despite a pre-race knee injury.
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2025 Seoul Marathon: Achieved a career-defining sub-3-hour marathon (2:59:XX), a lifelong goal that solidified her status as one of Singapore’s top marathoners.
10km Road Success
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2023 ASICS META : Time : Trials Malaysia: Clocked 38:55 in the 10km, winning the Women’s Invitational category and demonstrating versatility across distances.
Technical Profile and Training
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Events: Half Marathon, Marathon, 10km Road.
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Personal Bests:
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Half Marathon: 1:22:07 (2019, national record).
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Marathon: 2:59:XX (2025, Seoul).
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10km Road: 38:55 (2023).
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Training Philosophy: Balances high-mileage endurance workouts with strength training. Emphasizes consistency, often training pre-dawn to juggle her corporate career.
Challenges and Resilience
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Injury Battles: A 2019 knee injury threatened her SEA Games participation, but she recovered through physiotherapy and mental grit.
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Work-Life Balance: As Head of Risk at Southern Ridges Capital, Teoh navigates demanding professional responsibilities while maintaining elite-level training. She credits structured routines and employer support for her success.
Advocacy and Influence
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Mental Health: Openly discusses overcoming self-doubt and injuries, advocating for holistic athlete well-being. Partners with platforms like ASICS Studio and Insight Timer to promote mindfulness.
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Community Engagement: Volunteers with organizations like Food from the Heart and shares training insights via Instagram (@serenaaateoh) and LinkedIn.
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Brand Collaborations: Sponsored by ASICS, Garmin, and POCARI SG, she promotes cutting-edge gear like the METASPEED™ EDGE+ racing shoes.
Legacy and Future Goals
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Olympic Aspirations: Aims to qualify for future editions of the Olympic Games or World Athletics Championships.
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Mentorship: Plans to guide Singapore’s next generation of distance runners, emphasizing the synergy of discipline and adaptability.
Conclusion
Serena Teoh embodies the modern athlete-scholar, excelling in finance and athletics through relentless perseverance. From Swiss trails to SEA Games podiums, her journey redefines late-blooming success in endurance sports. As she continues breaking barriers, Teoh’s legacy lies not just in records but in inspiring others to pursue their passions, regardless of age or circumstance.
Go Serena!
