The Great Eastern Women’s Run 2026, scheduled to take place in Singapore, has been canceled due to worsening transboundary haze. The decision was made by organizers to prioritize the health and safety of participants and spectators. The 20th-anniversary edition of the event, which typically draws thousands of runners, will not proceed as planned.
Organizers confirmed that full refunds will be issued to all registered participants. The refund process is expected to take up to four weeks. A statement from the event’s management said the haze levels had reached hazardous levels, making it unsafe to hold the race.
This marks the first time in the event’s history that a race has been canceled due to environmental conditions. The Great Eastern Women’s Run, established in 2007, has become a key annual event in Singapore’s sports calendar. Previous cancellations have occurred due to rain or other weather disruptions, but never due to air quality concerns.
The haze, which has been a recurring issue in Southeast Asia, is caused by forest fires in Indonesia. The smoke has led to poor air quality across the region, affecting both residents and visitors. This year’s situation has been particularly severe, prompting health advisories and travel warnings.
The cancellation highlights the growing impact of environmental factors on sporting events. As climate patterns shift, organizers are increasingly forced to make difficult decisions to ensure the safety of participants. The Great Eastern Women’s Run 2026 will now be rescheduled for a later date, pending further air quality assessments.
