The 2019 edition of the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon (KLSCM) promises to be the largest one yet, with 40,000 runners competing in a variety of distances and with the previous year’s title holders returning to stake their claim on the race once again.

Unprecedented 40,000 Runners

Said Rainer Biemans, KLSCM Project Director and the Director of Dirigo Events, the organisers of the race, “This year, the race weekend will see an unprecedented 40,000 runners take to the field at Dataran Merdeka, our largest potential turnout yet.”

Out of these, there will be 1,900 running tourists taking part, hailing from 73 different countries from around the world. 

Thrilling Contests To Take Place

Added Biemans, “The Race Weekend will see thrilling contests between the defending champions in various categories and the upstarts who will be pushing the incumbents all the way.”

Biemans also continued, “As well, in an added highlight, YB Syed Saddiq, Minister of Youth and Sports, will also be making his debut in KLSCM and is taking part in the Half Marathon category.”

Marathon King, Muhaizar Mohamad, To Defend Crown

Muhaizar Mohamad, the “king” of the local marathon scene, will be back to defend his Marathon title for the fifth time. Muhaizar, who won Malaysia’s first South East Asia Games medal in the Marathon event in the 2017 Games, will be representing Malaysia again in the Marathon at the Games later this year.

However Muhaizar, due to the South East Asian Games, is not expected to push himself to glory at the 2019 KLSCM as both events are just two months apart and his priority is, of course, the Games.

Said the marathoner, “KLSCM 2019 will be my last marathon outing in my preparations for the Games and I do not wish to jeopardise my training for that. I still aim to be competitive and hope to defend my KLSCM title, as it is an event that is close to my heart after winning it four times in a row.” 

And Muhaizar continued, “Dirigo Events, the owner and organiser of KLSCM, has also been one of my strongest supporters and I want to repay their faith in me, by participating again this year.”

Muhaizar is the second fastest marathoner in Malaysia after national record holder Leo Tan Huong Leong who came in third at last year’s KLSCM but Leo will not be taking part this year because of other commitments.

But the main obstacle for Muhaizar, will be in the form of Nik Fakaruddin, who finished second last year. A vastly improved runner, Nik is also Muhaizar’s compatriot and regular training buddy. One advantage that Nik has, is knowing that there is nothing preventing him from going all out to bag his first title especially since Muhaizar would be more concerned with the South East Asian Games.

Malaysia Women’s Full Marathon Category

In the Malaysia Women’s Full Marathon Category, Loh Chooi Fern will return to defend her title. She won it in 3:18:44 last year but she is expected to better that time, as she recorded a sub three hour time at the Gold Coast Marathon earlier this year.

Her stiffest competition will be Nur Amelia Musa, the wife of Nik Fakaruddin, but Loh is relishing the challenge. She says, “Women are getting stronger in marathons and I expect to be pushed hard this year. This is great for the sport as intense but healthy competition can only serve to help us achieve even better times.”

Kenyans To Return For Full Marathon Open Categories

And in the Full Marathon Open category, Kenyans Cosmas Matolo Muteti and Elizabeth Chepkanan Rumokol from Kenya would be returning to defend their respective Men’s and Women’s titles.

Their aim to win their third KLSCM titles will however, be put to the test by Ethopians who will be making their debuts by KLSCM. 

Cosmas will be tested by Victor Kipchirchir whose personal best is 2:07:39. 

But Cosmas, however, is not fazed at all. He believes that his success in the past two KLSCM editions is due to the similar climate between his home base in Machakos County in Kenya and Kuala Lumpur so although Victor’s personal best time is fast, he believes that it was achieved in a cooler climate.

Said Cosmas, “After developing knee and muscle problems after the Singapore Marathon last year, I have not participated in many marathons and my body has been recovering and responding well to my training. I am happy with my progress and I am confident of being competitive enough to try and defend my title.”

He continued, “I appreciate the competition from other strong runners but I am still someone who runs without apprehension as I am only concerned with my own race. My motto is, train hard, and the winning will come automatically. I am looking forward to racing in Kuala Lumpur which has a special place in my heart.”

And in the Women’s Full Marathon Open category, Asnakech Mengistu Egigawehu and Tcizita Terechu Dida, whose personal bests are 2:25:50 and 2:28:00 respectively, will both give Elizabeth a run for her money.

Malaysia Women’s Half Marathon Category

Sheela Samivellu is expected to make it four in a row in the Malaysia Women’s Half Marathon Category and it is hard to see anyone going toe to toe with her in this year’s race. 

Sheela, who is also the national record holder over the distance and the course record holder, has not set any targets for the race and she just hopes to finish the event.

Said Sheela, “When I am in a competition, I regard everyone as competitors and usually don’t target specific people to beat. My ultimate goal is to run well and finish strongly.”

Inspirational Runners Will Also Feature

Besides the exciting blue ribbon contests, KLSCM will also see inspiring runners who have beaten the odds and are hoping to use the Marathon to motivate and challenge others to do more with their lives.

Chris Koch is one of them. Born without limbs, Chris is a Canadian farmer, athlete, adventurer and motivational speaker and is attempting his eighth marathon at KLSCM with the use of a special longboard.

Said Chris, “This will be my first time in Malaysia and first time attempting to run a marathon in this sort of hot and humid climate. I am grateful to the organisers for allowing me to participate in my eighth marathon in the third continent and I am looking forward to this particular challenge.”

Malaysia’s Premiere Distance Running Event

Having grown to become the premiere distance running event in Malaysia that draws thousands of runners to the country whilst firmly establishing Malaysia in the global running calendar, the prestigious KLSCM event will once again see sponsorship from Title Sponsor Standard Chartered Bank, along with Under Armour, 100PLUS, Seiko, Jaybird, Pacific Regency, Banana Boat as well as TudungPeople. 

All photos are courtesy of Dirigo Events.