Running Together, Giving Together: The Enduring Spirit of NUS Bizad Charity Run

Early mornings have a certain magic. At Kent Ridge, as the sun slowly climbed over the campus, more than 1,200 runners gathered—not just to clock kilometres, but to be part of something bigger. The NUS Bizad Charity Run (BCR) 2026 did not just kick off the year with energy; it reminded everyone what the Bizad community stands for: health, purpose, and giving back.

Now in its 16th year, BCR has quietly grown into one of NUS Business School’s most meaningful traditions. This year, that tradition came alive in full force. With over 1,500 runners taking on the 5km and 10km routes—the largest turnout in five years—the campus was filled with alumni who have returned year after year, first-year students running their very first Bizad race, faculty, staff, and members of the public. Different seasons of life, same starting line.

Together, the community raised $90,000, funds that will go towards the NUSBSA Bursary, the NUSBSA Student Experience Award, and Youth Guidance Outreach Services. These contributions help students in need and enrich learning beyond the classroom—quietly changing lives in ways that may never make headlines, but matter deeply.

What makes BCR special is not just the numbers, but how it comes together. The run is led by alumni, organised by students, and supported by the School—a simple structure that reflects the Bizad spirit of shared ownership. Alumni volunteers and student leaders worked side by side, sustaining an event that has endured across generations.

This year’s run was anchored on a timely belief: a healthy year begins with healthy choices. Alumni-supported businesses like Tomoro Coffee, offering reduced-sugar options, and ProTeGo, serving nutritious noodles made from up-cycled ingredients, embodied this idea in practical ways. Health, sustainability, and community were not just buzzwords—they were experienced on the ground.

The event was honoured by the presence of Minister for Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, Mr Ong Ye Kung, who flagged off the race and presented awards to major donors. His presence underscored something important: when alumni, students, and institutions come together with a shared purpose, the impact extends well beyond campus.

Behind the scenes, countless individuals made BCR 2026 possible. From alumni leaders like Mr OH Chin Keong, to final-year student Ms Liang Yng Lim, and the dedicated teams from the NUS Business School Alumni Association (NUSBSA) and the NUS Students’ Business Club (Bizad Club), this was a collective effort built on trust, continuity, and care.

Perhaps the most powerful sight was not at the finish line, but along the route—alumni running alongside students, conversations flowing as easily as the strides. Some runners have been part of BCR for over a decade; others were experiencing it for the first time. Yet the feeling was the same: a sense of belonging to something larger than oneself.

In a world that often measures success by speed and scale, BCR offers a different definition. It is about showing up, year after year. About giving quietly, consistently. About remembering that business education is not only about careers and numbers, but about values and community.

As BCR 2026 draws to a close, the question naturally turns forward. If this run has been part of your journey—or if you are wondering how you might contribute to the next chapter—the invitation remains open. The Bizad Charity Run is not just an event. It is a living expression of what the NUS Business School community can achieve together.

And sometimes, the most meaningful progress starts with something simple: putting one foot in front of the other, and running together towards a better future.