Latest news with #SCOREMarathon
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
First-time marathoner Sivaneshwaran stuns field in Putrajaya
KUALA LUMPUR: G. Sivaneshwaran made a dream debut in the SCORE Marathon on Sunday, storming to victory in the men's 42km race in Putrajaya. Running his first full marathon, he crossed the line in 2:48:08, well ahead of Lim Kok Leong (2:51:00) and Naqib Haikal Rahman (2:51:28), who finished second and third respectively. A national track and field athlete, Sivaneshwaran had previously won bronze in the 10,000m at the 2018 Asean University Games. "This is my first full marathon. I only signed up because my club said they'd sponsor me for a race in Vietnam this December if I did a sub-three-hour run," he said. "I didn't think I could even finish it. But to win, and in a good time, feels amazing. "I trained hard for this. I spent three to four months doing long runs, gym sessions, everything. The route was tough and hilly. If it had been flat, I think I could've done 2:30." In the women's category, local runner Lee Siok Chin dominated with a 3:17:17 finish, comfortably beating Vietnam's Vu Khanh Linh (3:21:54) and Diana Qistina Redza (3:35:53). Wan Izzul Syahrulyuzi Wan Rusley and Nur Amelia Musa topped the charts in the half-marathon category. Among the notable participants in the half-marathon was former Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who completed the 21km race in 2:44:17. While not the result he had hoped for, Khairy, who has been actively involved in endurance sports of late, including duathlon events. admitted it was a tough day out. "A tough run. Although it's the Putrajaya route, it's fairly rolling with a lot of inclines, definitely a challenging route," he said. "Putrajaya is often thought of as flat, but it actually has a lot of hills." The AIA Vitality-backed event drew a record 33,000 runners from 48 countries, reaffirming its status as one of Southeast Asia's biggest and most inclusive races. In the run-up to the event, organisers held Running Clinic Tours around the Klang Valley, helping both novice and seasoned runners gear up mentally and physically for race day.
New Straits Times
02-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
SCORE Marathon hits record 33,000 runners from 48 countries
KUALA LUMPUR: The SCORE Marathon is back with a bang, drawing a record-breaking 33,000 runners from 48 countries for this year's edition in Putrajaya on July 13, marking a 36 per cent surge in participation from last year. The marathon continues its rise as one of the country's largest and most internationally recognised races, now earning the prestigious World Athletics Label Road Race status, placing it among only 301 certified events globally and just three in Malaysia with the honour. What began as a modest health initiative in 2014 with 3,674 runners has become a standout fixture in the regional racing calendar, combining mass participation with elite-level competition and offering qualifying status for the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Backed by the Youth and Sports Ministry and affiliated with the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), the race now stands tall on the world stage. The race will feature four distances — 5km, 10km, 21km and 42km. Patricia Tan, CEO of Score Sports Management, said the surge in participation reflects a decade of dedication and community spirit. "Since our humble beginnings, we've seen steady but exponential growth," she said. "In 2024, we had over 24,000 participants. This year, registrations rocketed to 33,000 — a milestone for us." AIA Vitality, the science-backed health programme by AIA Malaysia, returns as Presenting Sponsor for the fourth straight year. The event also raises the bar on sustainability. Last year's edition recycled 1,150kg of plastic, equal to over 46,000 bottles. For this year, the green drive continues with finisher tees made from bio-based yarns and medals crafted from recycled materials. In the lead-up to race day, the SCORE Marathon Running Clinic Tour will be held in the Klang Valley, helping runners of all levels gear up for July 13.
