To celebrate Singapore Management University’s 20th anniversary, its alumni, students, and staff put their best feet forward.

In September 2020, the university launched a monthlong virtual race fundraiser with the goal of raising SGD$400,000 for students impacted by the pandemic. 

“The more we walk or run, the more we help students in need,” said Jia En, a third year SMU student who volunteered as a SMOO Challenge ambassador. She set a goal of 100 kilometers, and shared stretches and tips for warming up before a run or walk in an SMU video.

En and her fellow participants signed up online ($21 for alumni, staff, community members; $10 for students), pledging to walk or run distances either individually or as a team. Based on the distances they pledged, participants collectively “unlocked” giving challenges: 10,000 kilometers unlocked a $10,000 gift from an alumnus, and 50,000 kilometers unlocked $50,000 raised by SMU President Lily Kong. SMU gave weekly prizes (like Skechers sneakers) to participants who posted photos on Instagram and tagged @smoochallenge.