Runfluencers Shine at Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon 2024: Sarawak’s Best Join the Race!
Kuching — The Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon 2024, held over the weekend at Dataran Merdeka, brought together a record-breaking crowd of 42,000 participants, including Sarawak’s own renowned running group, The Runfluencer. Led by captain Gwen Chong, the group showcased the spirit and determination of Kuching’s long-distance runners.
This year’s marathon, marking its 16th edition, saw an impressive influx of approximately 2,500 international runners from 45 countries, making it a truly global event. The competitive atmosphere was palpable, with Malaysian athletes putting on remarkable performances. Muhaizar Mohamad clinched his sixth title in the Malaysian Men’s Open category, finishing the marathon in an impressive time of 2 hours, 41 minutes, and 17 seconds. On the women’s side, Noor Amelia Musa took home the title in the Malaysian Women’s Open, completing the race in 3:09:44.
The international categories were dominated by Kenyan athletes, with Vincent Kiprono finishing first in the Men’s Open at 2:18:16, and Beatrice Jelagat Cherop securing victory in the Women’s Open with a time of 2:33:45.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh officially flagged off the event, which also attracted notable figures such as Investment Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz and Natural Resources Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who participated in the half-marathon. This year’s marathon not only celebrated athletic excellence but also reinforced its commitment to inclusivity and community engagement, promoting fitness and camaraderie among runners of all ages and abilities.
As the marathon continues to grow in popularity, the participation of groups like The Runfluencer from Sarawak highlights the increasing enthusiasm for running in Malaysia. The camaraderie and competitive spirit displayed by the Kuching runners exemplify the vibrant running community thriving in the region.
