More than 7,000 participants gathered at the Bayfront Event Space this morning for the Income Eco Run 2026, marking one of the largest turnouts for the sustainability-focused event to date. The run brought together individuals, families, children and even pets in a shared effort to promote zero waste living, while raising S$90,000 to support environmental initiatives.
Organised by Income Insurance, the carbon neutral event featured five race distances ranging from 3km to a half marathon, alongside expanded Kids and Pets categories. The event also introduced new sustainability initiatives aimed at extending its impact beyond race day.
Guest of Honour Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, flagged off the 5km and 10km races at 7am and later toured the Eco Village, which showcased a range of eco friendly activities and sustainability exhibits.
The shift from Marina Barrage to Bayfront Event Space provided a venue that was 35 percent larger, allowing for increased participation and a more extensive Eco Village. The space featured educational booths, recycling stations and sustainability partners, giving participants opportunities to practise waste segregation through the disposal of items such as plastic, cans, paper cups and even banana peels.
A key highlight this year was the launch of post event Eco Experience learning journeys, designed especially for children and families. These include visits to e-waste recycling facilities and composting sites, as well as guided sustainability tours with WWF-Singapore at selected retail locations. The initiative aims to instil eco conscious habits from a young age and reinforce the event’s educational mission.
Income Insurance pledged S$1 for every kilometre completed, bringing total funds raised this year to S$90,000. Since 2023, the event has raised a cumulative S$250,000 to support green causes and education. This includes an upcoming pilot programme with WWF Singapore focused on reducing single use takeaway containers in Singapore’s CBD.
Participation categories were also expanded to make the event more inclusive. Children aged four to nine took part in a 700m kids run, while those aged 10 to 12 joined a new 1.2km category. The Pets category also saw strong growth, with participation more than doubling as dog and cat owners joined the movement with their animals.
Sustainability efforts were embedded throughout the event.
Compostable and plastic free paper cups were used at hydration points, with organic waste such as banana peels and pet waste collected for composting by ENTO Industries using Black Soldier Fly larvae. Run bibs were reduced in size to cut paper usage, while participants were encouraged to reuse past event shirts. Adult runners received e medals instead of physical ones, while children were awarded medals made from upcycled plastic by local group Plastify. Carbon emissions from travel and event production were also offset.
The run is part of the national Say Yes to Less Waste campaign led by the National Environment Agency, which encourages collective action towards reducing waste. The event has also received the Eco Event Certification from the Singapore Environment Council for three consecutive years, achieving the highest 4 Leaf rating.
As Singapore continues to push for more sustainable practices, the Income Eco Run has evolved into a platform that combines fitness with environmental advocacy, demonstrating how community driven efforts can contribute to measurable impact.
