A 43-year-old man, Tam Chua Puh, is currently the most famous marathoner in Singapore who did not complete 42.195km.

At the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon on Sunday, the pastry chef ran the first 6km of the run, sat out for the rest of it and then reappeared from nowhere before crossing the finishing line with a miraculous time of 2h 46min 57sec.

Giving "cutting corners" a brand new meaning, Tam even had the audacity to beat SEA Games-bound marathoner Mok Ying Ren, who finished in 2hr 54min 27sec – not before causing an epic confusion at the finishing line, as he was initially awarded first place and then disqualified after investigations were carried out.

The pastry chef then admitted to the media that he has been cheating at marathons since 2011 – all because he wanted the medal and finisher’s T-shirt.

Ok.

But hey, don’t blame the man. Because at Mothership, we know the desire of scoring a finisher’s T shirt that fits is of the utmost importance. Since this is the 12th edition (it started in 2002) of Singapore’s most prestigious marathon, here are 12 other things that marathoners want badly.

1. The perfect picture

Source

Never mind if they are limping or in intense pain, there's always enough in the tank for that perfect shot.

2. Dress up

Source

It’s cool to dress up as the Avengers or the Power Rangers. Plus, it’s quite hardcore to complete 42.195km in full costume.

3. Show off their latest compression gear

Source

Everywhere also must compress. That’s the mantra of many leisure runners. Calves, thighs, torso and more body parts are wrapped as tightly as bak chang. What’s next? Ears?

4. Blast their favourite music on speakers

And assume that every runner loves Tiesto. But what if we really like running to Teresa Teng?

5. Outrun fellow runners with the same pace

Source

If they can’t beat the Kenyans, they can definitely beat their fellow marathoners running alongside them. The feeling is still as shiok.

6. Litter freely

Source

Probably the best thing about the marathon is the licence to litter freely without any repercussions. Just look at the heaps of cups strewn along the course.

7. Pee along Orchard Road

8. Look for freebies

Source

The best things in life are the free ones. Runners will have a field day picking up anything from bananas to power gels.

9. Cross the finishing line in style

Source

Same as point 1 but it’s even more important than looking good. It’s your chance to look strong and strike a “Platoon” pose.

10. Take selfies

Inspired by the maestro Mr Baey Yam Keng, more runners are taking selfies. You can find them near the distance markers.

11. Scanning for eye candies

Source

This serves as motivation and to stay alert throughout the whole run. It’s tough running at five in the morning, we know.

12. Carbo loading

Source: Lady Iron Chef Instagram

And after the torturous run, it’s time to stuff your face silly with McDonalds, prata, nasi lemak and more. Not really carbo loading, but hey, we are Singaporeans.

Find Mothership.SG on Facebook and Twitter.