The annual Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore took place early Sunday morning, with as many as 54,000 runners participating.

The run, which began in 2002 with 6,000 runners, is now the coolest sporting event here.

Maybe it is the goody bag. Or the bragging rights that the blue shirt will give you - yes, you walked at least 10km this year.

One thing's for sure though.

The run will burn some of your fats and a hole in your pocket ($95 for marathon, $75 for half marathon, $65 for 10km).

Below are 15 signs why this run is already part of Singapore's tradition. Like Zouk Out. And the next Speak Mandarin campaign.

1. The Guest of Honour is a Sports Minister

Source: Lawrence Wong Facebook

And he has to run first before he can share policy announcements on how the marathon could be improved, like having its finale at the Sports Hub.

2. Lame Mascots

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We have openings for mascots now that Singa the courtesy Lion has resigned. But a nerdy tortoise for a marathon mascot?

3. The Superhero #1 - Spiderman

Source: Joanna Ash Twitter

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Spidey needs a superhero to save him.

4. The Superhero #2 - The Fly

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5. The Superhero #3 - The Avengers

Source: Instagram

6. The train-spotters

Source: Instagram

A crowded MRT train at 4am? Only in Singapore.

7. The child prodigy

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Parents risking their child's well-being for a picture perfect moment. Or a selfie.

8. The Selfie MP

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Word porn of the day: Nomophobia.

Nomophobia: (n.) The fear of being out of mobile phone contact. The term, an abbreviation for "no-mobile-phone phobia",was coined during a UK Post Office study that look at anxieties suffered by mobile phone users.

9. The Drama Queen

Source: Twitter

The reason why former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong called us the "strawberry generation".

10. The Facebook Politician

Acting Minister Tan Chuan-Jin "took a pic with John Barnes while at the marathon", before going off to "zzz land..."

11. A famous has-been.

1984's English football star John Barnes dashed past five defenders to score against Brazil at home.

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2013's Barnes now needs a head start to win the childen's dash.

Source: Twitter

12. A Christmas Tree

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13. Runners who are already celebrating Christmas

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Santa must be a bad bad boy to let you run in these costumes.

14. A Miley Cyrus fan

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15. A cliched marriage proposal

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If your lady can tolerate you in all your sweaty/ stinky glory, she is a keeper.

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Congratulations!

Top photo from here.

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