Latest news with #WorldAthleticsLabelRoadRace
The Star
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Star
First-time marathoner scores big in Putrajaya
Tan handing prizes to marathon winner Sivaneshwaran, with Lim (left) and Muhamad Naqib looking on from atop the podium. First-time marathoner Sivaneshwaran Gunasegaran emerged as the surprise winner of the men's 42km race at Score Marathon by AIA Vitality 2025 in Putrajaya. The national track and field athlete clocked 2 hours, 48 minutes and 8 seconds (2:48:08), surging ahead in the final stretch of the hilly course. 'I didn't think I could even finish the race, but I ended up winning it – and in a good time too,' said Sivaneshwaran, whose previous experience was in 10km and 21km races. He said his hard work, encompassing three to four months of training, paid off. According to a media release by the event organiser, Sivaneshwaran's initial aim was to finish under three hours to qualify for a marathon in Vietnam. Instead, he topped a field of over 33,000 runners from 48 countries – the largest turnout in the event's history. Lim Kok Leong (2:51:00) and Muhamad Naqib Haikal Abdul Rahman (2:51:28) finished second and third respectively. In the women's 42km race, Lee Siok Chin took the top spot with 3:17:17, followed by Vietnam's Vu Khanh Linh (3:21:54) and Diana Qistina Redza (3:35:53). Former Youth and Sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin was among thousands who took part in the half-marathon, completing the 21km distance in 2:44:17. 'Putrajaya is often thought of as flat, but it actually has a lot of hills,' said Khairy, who regularly competes in endurance and duathlon events. 'It was a tough, rolling route.' Held under the theme 'Conquer Your Next Challenge,' the event welcomed runners across all levels, including in the 5km and 10km fun runs. Score Sports Management chief executive officer Patricia Tan said the event celebrated both elite performance and personal achievement. 'From elite athletes to weekend warriors and first-time runners, each person had a personal mountain to climb,' she said. This year's edition was the event's first as a World Athletics Label Road Race, making it a qualifying event for the Abbott World Marathon Majors. In 2024, the event recycled over 1,150kg of plastic, and sustainability initiatives this year included bio-based finisher tees and recycled-material medals. The race village also featured fitness activities, food trucks, and sponsor booths. Pre-event training support included running clinic tours around the Klang Valley.
The Star
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Putrajaya mass running event charts 33,000 sign-ups
One of Malaysia's largest mass-participation running events will see 33,000 participants taking to the streets of Putrajaya on July 13. The race has drawn runners, aiming to cross the finish lines in the 5km, 10km, 21km and 42km courses, from more than 48 countries. 'Since our modest beginnings in 2014 with just 3,674 runners, Score Marathon has seen steady but exponential growth over the years,' said Score Sports Management chief executive officer Patricia Tan. 'Last year, over 24,253 runners participated and this year, registrations surged to 33,000, setting a new milestone,' Tan said. AIA Vitality, the health programme by AIA Malaysia, returns as presenting sponsor for the fourth straight year. 'At AIA, we are proud to support a movement that unites runners from all walks of life,' said AIA Malaysia chief marketing officer Chee Foong Wai. 'We're inspired by the spirit of this event and remain committed to supporting and championing initiatives that empower Malaysians to live healthier, longer, better lives,' Wai added. Last year, Score Marathon recycled 1,150kg of plastic, equivalent to 46,320 plastic bottles – setting a benchmark for environmentally responsible sporting events in the region. It also partnered with Pressio, a sportswear brand using bio-based yarns, as official apparel partner, while medals are crafted from recycled materials in collaboration with Natureloop. Score Marathon is supported by the Youth and Sports Ministry and certified a World Athletics Label Road Race. This recognises the full marathon as a qualifying race for the Abbott World Marathon Majors while making its affiliation with the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races official, inducting it into an elite group of globally recognised events.
The Star
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Marathon in Putrajaya scoring point with global recognition
KUALA LUMPUR: A record 33,000 participants from 48 countries will compete at the SCORE Marathon 2025 in Putrajaya on July 13. Adding to the prestige of the event presented by AIA Vitality is its recognition as a World Athletics Label Road Race, placing it among 301 certified events globally and one of only three in Malaysia with the distinction.
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.
