Min Xiang Lee smashes Trail Titans Kiara Hill 16km course record

Debutant finishes 10 minutes faster on tougher course.

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 May 2024: The second Trail Titans Kiara Hill saw the 16km course record, that was established last year, obliterated by Min Xiang Lee who finished in 2:07:20, shaving an incredible 10 minutes off the record yesterday. The previous time of 2:17: 58 was recorded by Ben Hails at the inaugural Trail Titans Kiara Hill last year.

32-year-old Xiang Lee, while being an experienced road racer, is relatively new to trail running and made his competitive debut in this event. “I usually train here at Kiara Hill which is what made me decide to take part in this Trail Titans,” said Xiang Lee. “It was a pretty challenging and technical course but I had targeted to break the course record and I’m delighted that I managed to achieve my objectives,” he continued. 

Trail Titans is a series of trail running events organised by Dirigo Events, the owner and organiser of the award-winning Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon. Over 200 participants took to the trails at Kiara Hill competing across three categories - the challenging 16km, the baseline 10km and a newly introduced 5km category. The 5km was introduced to encourage participants who are new to trail running and to get families to participate together. 

Gloria Ng, Director of Dirigo Events, was happy with the turnout and is already looking forward to the next two Trail Titans events this year. “It’s fantastic to see all these runners come out early on a Sunday morning and enjoy the day out in nature in this beautiful location so close to the city. It’s even nicer to see that some of them are out as families and this encourages and motivates us to continue with our objective of making Trail Titans a viable alternative to road running for those who are looking for something different to keep themselves fit and healthy,” said Gloria.

Most participants felt that the course this time around was more challenging than the last but that did not stop them from enjoying themselves out on the trail. Mohd. Zamri, aged 45, and his daughter Qalesya Zandra, aged 12, were all smiles as they crossed the finish line in the 5km category. “I wanted to introduce my daughter to the joys of trail running and I’m happy that she managed to complete the course without much difficulty. In fact, instead of pacing her, I ended up having to follow her for the latter part of the route,” said Zamri, who plans to introduce his younger daughter when she is age-eligible and make running a whole family affair. 

In the 16km Men’s Open, no one could keep pace with the blistering run by winner Xiang Lee, with second place going to Mior Rashidi in a time of 2:18:12 and Muhamad Syami Mohd Noh finishing third in 3:09:03. In the 16km Women’s Open, the title was clinched by Hanna Rashid in 3:04:29, while Jacqueline Koh came in second in 3:08:29 and rounding out third place was Chai Yee Ling in 3:18:22. 

In the 16km Men’s Veteran category, Yakov Kozlov also broke the course record when he finished first in a time of 2:13:47 but could not match the timing of Xiang Lee. 40-year-old Kozlov, who is a Russian engineer residing in Mont Kiara, took part to support a race in his community. “It was a tough and technical course, but even for someone who regularly runs here, the really cool thing was discovering new sections that I have not explored before,” said Kozlov. 

Muhamad Noor Mohd Pilus finished in second place in 2:30:52 and Johari Mohd Ali came in third in 2:36:44. In the 16km Women’s Veteran category, Syarifah Balqis Syed Hamzah was the winner, clocking 2:46:51, while Sook Khim Lim came in second in 2:58:48 and Francis Lyn Evasco finished in third place in 3:00:11.

In the 10km Men’s Open category, Shamirul Taufiq was the winner in 01:17:46 while Lim Wei Seng took second place in 01:17:50 and Jia Qing Lim finished third in 01:26:45. 

In the Women’s 10km Open category, Vithya Vijayakumare finished first in a time of 01:45:41, followed by Lena Jaentsch in second place at a recorded 01:48:01 and third place fell to Joeann Too, who finished in a time of 1:50:38. Vithya, aged 38, who hails from Cameron Highlands but currently resides in Perth, was fortunate to be able to participate in the event as the date coincided with her travel plans back to Malaysia. 

“I do sometimes come back to Malaysia to take part in events here and Trail Titans was a happy coincidence as the timing was right,” said Vithya. “The route was demanding but I didn’t expect anything less and I’m happy with my performance and results,” she added.

Kian Kok New was the champion in the 10km Men’s Veteran category when he finished in 1:23:46. Taking second place was Kwok Yee Ngooi in 1:25:34 and finishing in third was Liang Shih Wong in 1:28:33. In the 10km Women’s Veteran category, Hui Thin Sea bagged first place in 01:39:23, while Cheryl Godfrey finished second in 1:44:12 and Chau Yan Tan came in third at 2:00:15.

The top three finishers in all categories received winners’ medals and cash prizes while the top five finishers in all categories were rewarded with free entry into the next Trail Titans event. Xiang Lee received an additional cash prize of RM500 for his record-breaking achievement.

Dirigo Events are expected to announce the next edition in their Trail Titans series very soon so stay tuned to their social media channels to be the first to sign up for what is expected to be a sought-after series of events.

Start of the Trail

Runner enjoying the trails

Runners navigating a technically demanding descent

Father and daughter duo, Mohd Zamri and Qalesya Zandra

Runner enjoying the refreshments at a water station

Jibek, the most famous cat in the running community, with owner Apak

Gloria Ng with Min Xiang Lee, winner of 16km Men's Open and course record-breaker

Gloria Ng with Yakov Kozlov, winner of 16km Men's Veteran

Gloria Ng, Director of Dirigo Events with Vithya Vijayakumare, winner of 10km Women's Open

Top 5 finishers

Lending a helping hand

Happy Finishers

Leap of Joy at completing Trail Titans Kiara Hill 2024!

Four-way Tussle For Malaysian Marathon Crown at KLSCM 2023

15^th Edition Set To Be A Milestone Sustainable Road Race

KUALA LUMPUR, 13 September 2023: The Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon (KLSCM) 2023 will set the stage for an intense battle between Malaysia’s top distance running athletes to lay claim to the Full Marathon Malaysian category title.  Over 40,000 participants will take to Dataran Merdeka throughout the weekend of 30 September and 1 October to take part in this iconic event with its newly minted status as the only race in Malaysia recognised by governing body World Athletics with a Road Race Label.

The 15th edition of KLSCM is expected to see a heated contest in the Men’s Full Marathon Malaysian category with four national runners competing for the coveted crown. Defending champion Poo Vasanthan will be hard pressed to cling on to his title as he faces stiff competition from five-time KLSCM champion in the category, Muhaizar Mohamad, national marathon record-holder Leo Tan Huong Leong and national half marathon record-holder Prabudass Krishnan, who will be making his debut in the category at KLSCM. The Full Marathon route this year is similar to the last edition in 2022, incorporating a flatter course compared to previous years, which allows for faster finishing times and a more exciting contest.

“I expect a tough race against these more established runners and I need to make sure that I follow my race strategy down to the last detail if I am to defend my title,” said Poo Vasanthan. “Whatever happens, it is still a privilege to be competing against these runners in an internationally recognised event like KLSCM and I am looking forward to an exciting challenge.”

Dirigo Events, the owner and organiser of the multi-award-winning event, is thrilled that these four runners are competing against each other for the first time at the event. “We are anticipating an intense battle between these runners. Two of them have won the category before and the other two are national record holders. I think it will come down to the conditions on the day and how well each of them executes their game plan,” said Rainer Biemans, Project Director of KLSCM and Director of Dirigo Events.

The 15th edition of KLSCM will be the starting point in its sustainability journey and a number of measures will be introduced to make the event more environmentally-friendly. Mass participation events have high resource consumption and being the largest distance running event in the country, the KLSCM organisers want to take the lead in making these events more sustainable moving forward.

“We are excited to be embarking on this journey towards sustainability and we hope the running community will support us, as they always have, in reducing our environmental impact and contributing towards a circular economy that minimises waste,” said Rainer Biemans. “In order for us to operate in the long-term, we have a duty to ensure that our event mitigates our carbon footprint to preserve the environment for future generations,” added Rainer.

Being title sponsor for the 15th year, Standard Chartered Malaysia is also a firm believer in the importance of making KLSCM, the premier distance running event in Malaysia, an eco-friendly race by harnessing the power of the marathon to effect positive societal change.

"In alignment with the Bank’s own commitment towards our sustainability agenda, we are pleased that the organisers of KLSCM are taking proactive steps to ensure that the event becomes more eco-conscious as we progress," said Mak Joon Nien, CEO of Standard Chartered Malaysia. “KLSCM affects a wide audience, and this is a great opportunity to raise awareness on how critical it is to be more mindful of our own actions and encourage the community to make informed decisions in reducing our environmental impact,” he added.

One of the key measures that will be introduced this year is the reduction in the use of paper drinking cups for runners as all water stations will have refillable options and runners will be encouraged to bring their own cups or bottles to refill as they progress on their routes. To promote this, organisers have been selling KLSCM collectibles in the form of lightweight, collapsible cups and bottles for runners to purchase and use during this race and others that they may be participating in. The organisers also plan to compost close to 3.5 tonnes of organic waste generated from the enormous amounts of fruits, such as bananas, apples and pears, that are provided to runners during and after the race.

The selection of official apparel partner of KLSCM, UK brand Pressio, was also a conscious decision as this high-performance sports brand is a champion of sustainability as all the garments they produce have been created with the most sustainable materials and technologies, including recycled yarns, non-dying & biodegradation, and complete with traceability. In fact, 90% of the brand’s garments are produced in a solar-powered high-tech factory in Johor. Other measures include the elimination of single use plastics for running bibs and medals, and the continuation of providing free public transport for participants to get to the race and back, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from private cars.

On a more heart-warming note, the 15th anniversary of KLSCM will see the return of the Kids Dash categories after its exclusion from last year’s event due to health and safety concerns. The two categories contested, 1km and 2km, will see kids take centre stage on Saturday, 30 September in a looped circuit in the vicinity of Dataran Merdeka. The Kids Dash is a great spectacle and a fantastic introduction to the competitive world of running for kids, who will have the honour of racing at the historic location, watched by their friends and families.

In celebrating its 15th year, KLSCM will be honouring some of its most loyal participants with Golden Bibs. These exclusive running Bibs will be presented to participants who have finished Full Marathons in 10 prior editions and is a symbol of gratitude from the organisers, as well as recognition of the distinguished status of these runners. A total of 44 participants will be bestowed this accolade, which also brings other special privileges like VIP access to the Standard Chartered Hospitality marquee and express lanes during the event’s Race Entry Pack Collection.

This year also sees the inclusion of two new beneficiaries in KLSCM’s Run For A Reason (RFAR) charity initiative, namely Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK), who serve and provide aid to marginalised communities and the urban poor, and Reef Check Malaysia (RCM), an NGO who monitors the marine health of coral reefs around Malaysia to ensure their sustainability. They are joined by returning beneficiaries Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, Hospis Malaysia and Dignity for Children Foundation. The RFAR platform allows runners to sign up for the charity of their choice and proceed to raise funds for them by encouraging friends and family to donate to their profile through the KLSCM website. Fundraising closes on 9 October, a little over a week after the event, so there’s still ample time to make a donation to your favourite charity by heading on to

https://www.kl-marathon.com/charity/run-for-a-reason/runners-profile/2023/

Apart from title sponsor Standard Chartered Malaysia, KLSCM 2023 will also see the return of Gold Sponsor Boost Juice Malaysia, and official partners Seiko, Brooks, 100 Plus, and TudungPeople, along with new partners Pressio and Tiger Balm. The event is also supported by venue host DBKL, athletics associations MAF and FTKLAA, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Kuala Lumpur Traffic Police.

For more information and updates on KLSCM, please visit:

Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/SCKLmarathon

Twitter : www.twitter.com/SCKLmarathon

Instagram : https://instagram.com/SCKLmarathon

Website : www.kl-marathon.com

For more information, please contact: 

Suthan Narayanan | 03.7621.7787 | suthan@dirigo.com.my

Gloria Ng | 603.7621.7787 | gloria.ng@dirigo.com.my 

Full Marathon start at KLSCM 2022

Full Marathon flag off at KLSCM 2022 

Rainer Biemans _ Gloria Ng, Directors of Dirigo Events

Poo Vasanthan crossing the finish line in KLSCM 2022

Running against the backdrop of the Petronas Twin Towers

Banana station on route

Runners collecting their medals, fruits and drinks

Runners' Entitlements - Medals, bananas, apples, pears and drinks

Running in traditional costume and carrying the Malaysian flag

Trail Runners Give Thumbs Up to Inaugural Trail Titans Event at Kiara Hills

 

16km Men’s Veteran Category L-R  Gloria Ng (Director of Dirigo Events), Juangti Wan Leong (3rd), Ben Hails (1st) and Edward Smith (2nd)

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Aug 2023: The inaugural Trail Titans event, presented by Dirigo Events, owner and organiser of the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon, got the seal of approval from participants after they competed in two distance categories at Kiara Hills yesterday. The 16km and 10km distances were keenly contested by over 450 enthusiastic trail runners in what is expected to be the first in a series of trail running events by the esteemed organiser.

In an interesting turn of events, both Men’s distance categories saw Veteran runners come out on top overall, comfortably beating their younger competitors. In fact, the top five positions in the 16km distance were taken by veteran runners. Ben Hails ran a blistering pace to bag the coveted maiden 16km distance title, although he was competing in the Men’s Veteran category, in a time of 02:17:58. Edward Smith came in second in 02:24:51 and Juangti Wan Leong clocked in at 02:27:36 to place third. 

In the 16km Men’s Open category, Teh Kenji clinched first place by clocking in at 02:38:55, while Cian Hulm placed second in a time of 02:53:11, and Alex Fanning rounded up the podium places by finishing third in 02:53:12. 

In the Women’s 16km Open category, Karen Siah took first place in 02:43:49, followed by Priscilla Wong who finished second in 03:08:39 and finishing in third place was Analiza Marcos in a time of 03:29:47. In the Women’s 16km Veteran category, Sook Khim Lim clinched first place in 02:53:28, Francis Lyn Evasco finished in second place in 02:53:46 while Melinda Wang came in third in a time of 03:02:34.

10km Men’s Veteran Category L-R  Gloria Ng, Saw Pook Keong (3rd), Muhammad Asdi (1st) and Kian Kok New (3rd)

In the 10km Men’s category, veteran runner Muhammad Asdi was the overall winner in 01:12:21 while another veteran Kian Kok New took second place in 01:19:22 and Lim Wei Sing finished third in 01:21:03, while placing first in the 10km Men’s Open category. Kaha Sufyan came in second in the Men’s 10km Open category in 01:38:28 while Jerry Chow came in third in 01:47:12.

10km Women’s Veteran L-R  Gloria Ng, Low Guat Peng (3rd), Harum Delima Mohd Noor (1st) and Lynn Ismail (2nd)

In the Women’s 10km Open category, Mei Wai Tan finished first in a time of 01:46:47, followed by Norkhasidah Hamzah in second place at a recorded 01:51:37 and third place fell to Farah Nur Ain Abdul Latif, who finished in a time of 02:16:38. In the 10km Women’s Veteran category, Harum Delima Mohd Noor bagged first place in 01:47:15, while Lynn Ismail finished second in 02:03:46 and Guatpeng Low came in third at 02:07:23.

16km Women’s Veteran L-R  Gloria Ng, Melinda Wang (3rd), Sook Khim Lim (1st) and Francis Lyn Evasco (2nd)

The top three finishers in all categories received winners’ medals and prizes while the top five finishers in all categories were rewarded with free entry into the next Trail Titans event. 

16km Men’s Open L-R  Gloria Ng, Alex Fanning (3rd), Teh Kenji (1st) and Cian Hulm (2nd)

10km Men’s Open L-R  Gloria Ng, Jerry Chow (3rd), Lim Weiseng (1st) and Kahar Sufyan (2nd)

10km Women’s Open L-R  Gloria Ng, Farah Nur Ain Abdul Latif (3rd), Mei Wai Tan (1st) and Norkhasidah Hamzah (2nd)

16km Women’s Open L-R  Gloria Ng, Analiza Marcos (3rd), Karen Siah (1st) and Priscilla Wong (2nd)

Runners tackling the trails

“We want to establish Trail Titans as a brand for runners who are looking for an alternative to road races and we want to build the brand from a grassroots level,” said Gloria Ng, Director of Dirigo Events. “We hope Trail Titans will encourage emerging trail runners to embrace the unique challenges of trail running and enjoy the beautiful scenes of nature while doing it. Kiara Hills is an excellent location for our first event as it is in close proximity to the city but still affords participants the experience of being within nature and amidst breathtaking vistas of the surrounding areas,” she added.

Abdul Haris Shariff

Seasoned trail runner Abdul Haris Shariff, who came all the way from Sungai Petani to participate, was impressed with the organisation of the event, as well as with the meticulously crafted routes. “I’ve taken part in a number of trail running events over the years and I have to say that Trail Titans is one of the better organised events I have participated in,” said Haris. “Everything was well executed, from water stations and the availability of medical personnel to the well-planned routes that were moderate in difficulty but still provided a stiff challenge to regular trail runners like me,” he added.

Karen Siah descending the trails

The scenic beauty of the location was also appreciated by participants who loved the idea of trail running within the city. Karen Siah, who won the 16km Women’s Open title, was one such participant. “It’s amazing that you can enjoy this tranquil setting just a few minutes from the hustle and bustle of the city. Communing with nature while you indulge in your favourite pastime of running is for me, a dream come true and I will definitely be back for future editions,” she said.

Dirigo Events are expected to announce the next edition in their Trail Titans series very soon so stay tuned to their social media channels to be the first to sign up for what is expected to be a sought-after series of events.

Malaysians Unite by Walking More Than A Million Miles for Heart Health

NESTLÉ OMEGA PLUS Walk-a-Million-Miles Virtual Event sets a new recordin its 2nd year running, with a total of 1,176,666 miles achieved.

12,988 Malaysians from all over the country united virtually to walk a total of 1,176,666 miles during the NESTLÉ OMEGA PLUSWalk-a-Million-Miles 2021 event, held in conjunction with World Heart Month. With this achievement, NESTLÉ OMEGA PLUS fulfilled its pledge to donate RM100,000 to long-standing partners, Yayasan Jantung Malaysia (YJM) and InstitutJantung Negara (IJN) Foundation.

Cheque presentationfrom NESTLÉ OMEGA PLUS to Yayasan JantungMalaysia(YJM) and InstitutJantung Negara (IJN) Foundation. From L to R: Juan Aranols, Dato’ Gurbakhash Singh, Mohamed Zamri bin Mohamed Nezuri, Ahmad Faisal Bin Azhan, YBhg. Toh Puan Dato’ Seri Dr. Hajjah Aishah Ong and Lam PuiYuee

High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease and affects 8 million adults in Malaysia. Under the theme ‘Melangkah Bersama, JantungDijaga’, NESTLÉOMEGA PLUS partners once again with YJM and IJN Foundation, empowering Malaysians to take a step forward in combating high cholesterol while helping raise funds for heart patients in need.

“We are very delighted with the progress achieved this year. YJM and IJNFoundation have been long-standing partners of our heart health initiatives because this is truly a cause that is close to our hearts at NESTLÉ OMEGA PLUS. We are proud to support them and thankful to everyone who participated in Walk-a-Million-Miles 2021, contributing to our goal of one million miles and raise awareness for heart health across the nation,” said Juan Aranols, Chief Executive Officer, Nestlé (Malaysia) Berhad.

On average, each participant clocked in 7,200 steps a day, leading up to a monthly average of 216,000 steps per participant throughout the month of September. This is significantly higher than the average number of 3,963steps a day that Malaysians take, indicating the proactiveness of Malaysians in stepping up their commitment to heart health.

Dato’ Gurbakhash Singh of YJM said, “With heart diseases continuing to rise, it is extremely critical for us to advocate heart-healthy lifestyles for ourselves and our families. Walking 10,000 steps daily can help mitigate risks of cardiovascular diseases. The achievement clocked in by Malaysians in this year’s Walk-a-Million-Milesinitiativeis very encouraging as it indicates that we are gradually moving towards our goal to become a heart-healthy nation.”

Yang AmatBerbahagiaToh Puan Dato' Seri Dr. Hajjah Aishah Ong of IJNF said, “The Walk-a-Million-Miles initiative is a great opportunity to reach and empower Malaysians to take charge and care for their heart. We thank all participants as well as NESTLÉ OMEGA PLUS for this donation and support towards heart patients in need.”

Sokalingam Karuppiah, a heart patient at IJN shared that initiatives like Walk-a-Million-Miles are beneficial as it helps heart patients in need. “I was unable to take on the sum of the hospital bills so when IJN Foundation informed me that NESTLÉ OMEGA PLUS will help me with part of my cost of my treatment, I was extremely grateful. I am very supportive of Walk-a-Million-Miles and I pledge to do my part to give back so other people who are in dire need can get a helping hand too.”

NESTLÉ OMEGA PLUS encourages Malaysians to take charge of their own heart health by staying active and eating heart-healthy meals to manage their cholesterol levels. This includes drinking two servings of NESTLÉ OMEGA PLUS daily because it contains ActiCol®, 1.2g plant sterol, which is proven effective to lower cholesterol by reducing cholesterol absorption in the body.

Lam PuiYuee, Business Executive Officer, Milks Business Unit, Nestlé (Malaysia) said, “NESTLÉ OMEGA PLUS is on a momentum in getting more Malaysians to take charge of their heart health. We encourage members of the public to continue managing their heart health by exercising, eating a heart-healthy diet and drinking NESTLÉ OMEGA PLUS. We look forward to your support for next year’s Walk-a-Million-Miles event.”

The Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon Virtual Run Is Back!

Grand Lucky Draw prize to drive registrations

3 August 2021, KUALA LUMPUR: For the second year running, the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon (KLSCM) will go virtual and will take place between 20 - 28November2021. The premier virtual running event in Malaysia is organised by Dirigo Events, with Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia returning as Title Sponsor. The free-to-register Virtual Run (VR) will offer the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km and 5km distance categories and runners from all walks of life from all over the globe are expected to participate.

A Virtual Run is where participants who register for an event can run anywhere within the specified time-frame as long as they provide proof of their completed distance through GPS-basedrunning apps or wearables.The inaugural KLSCM VR was held last year when the ongoing pandemic made it impossible to hold mass participation events like the traditional KLSCM marathon. The event was well received, with over 52,000 registrations comprising local and international runners.

Rainer Biemans, Director of Dirigo Events

“It’s unfortunate that the pandemic has yet to run its course so in these trying times we hope that the staging of our second Virtual Run will give our runners something to look forward to. It is imperative that we remain positive in our outlook and do what we can to stay healthy and keep our immune systems strong during this difficult period,” said Rainer Biemans, Director of Dirigo Events.

“We are keeping registrations free as we are sympathetic to the economic plight that Malaysians are facing during the extended lockdowns and we want to encourage as many people as possible to participate,” added Rainer.

Rainer Biemans & Abrar A. Anwar.jpg

While no prizes or awards will be presented to the category winners similar to the first VR, a Grand Lucky Draw prize awaits a fortunate winner this year, consisting of an all-expenses paid trip for two to an international marathon event in Europe.

Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia, who have been title sponsors of the traditional Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon since 2009, returns to helm that role for this virtual event.The Bank is eager to encouragepeople to maintain a healthy lifestyle by participating in the event.

Abrar A. Anwar, MD and CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia

Abrar A. Anwar, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Malaysia said,

“We want to continue facilitating our community’s love for running and we hope the continued commitment of our sponsorship will encourage runners to maintain a healthy lifestyle – mentally and physically. We encourage runners to go the distance and challenge themselves to unlock new achievements by completing the race virtually and at their convenience.”

KLSCM 2021 VR Launch Group Photo with Runners

The Bank remains steadfast in championing its social responsibility causes and runners are encouraged to donate to Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, a global initiative that tackles inequality by promoting greater economic inclusion in their markets.

The Organisers have introduced new features to enhance and make the KLSCM 2021 VRmore exciting for all participants. The key features are:

1. Grand Lucky Draw Prize
Successful registrants will be in the running to win a Grand Lucky Draw Prize foran all-expenses paid trip to an international marathon event in Europe in 2022.

2. Practice Run Challenge
Registered participants will automatically be eligible to take part in this challenge from 4 – 31 October 2021. This Challenge is meant to encourage runners to train consistently towards the actual event. There will be weekly lucky draw prizes while the person with the overall highest distance at the end of the Challenge period will receive a prize. For this Challenge, runners are allowed to participate individually or create/join a running group or club.

3. No Tracking Device Limitations
Runners are free to use any GPS-based running app or wearable to record their distance and submit their results either by using screenshots from their device or by uploading their GPX or TCXfile from their preferred device onto the KLSCM VR platform.

4. States Challenge (For Malaysian participants only)
To add an extra element of competition and potential bragging rights, runners will also be able to choose a state to represent during the event, with their ranking within their statealso recorded.

5. Digital photo frames for social media
Runners will be able to showcase their participation on social media through a variety of digital photo frames from the KLSCM website. The “Finisher” photo frame will only be made available to legitimate finishers.

6. Special commemorative merchandise
To commemorate the VR, exclusively designed official merchandise such as personalised medals, long and short-sleeved event tees, ultralight running jackets and pants, sports towels, face masks and key chains will be made available for purchase during the registration period. The official merchandise is also available for all to purchase and not limited to registered participants only. All apparel merchandise are provided by the Official Apparel sponsor - Compressport.

KLSCM 2021 VR Launch Group Photo

Registration for the KLSCM 2021 Virtual Run will be open from 3August to 18November 2021 through this link.

For more information and updates on the KLSCM 2021 Virtual Run, please visit:
Facebook : www.facebook.com/SCKLmarathon
Twitter :https://twitter.com/klscmarathon
Instagram :https://www.instagram.com/klscmarathon/
Website :www.kl-marathon.com

For more information on Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon:
Suthan Narayanan | 6019 310 5794 | suthan@dirigo.com.my
Gloria Ng | 60376217787 | dirigo@dirigo.com.my

For more information on Standard Chartered Bank:
Geraldine Tan | 6012 9071740 | geraldine.tan@sc.com
Mastura Adnan | 6012 316 2960 | mastura.adnan@sc.com

Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon Introduces Free Virtual Run

18 November 2020, KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon (KLSCM) today announced the introduction of its inaugural Virtual Run, which will take place from5 -13 December 2020 and offers free registration. Organised by Dirigo Events and with Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia as Title Sponsor, the KLSCM 2020 Virtual Run is set to become the premier virtual running event in Malaysia. The Virtual Run will offer the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km and 5km distance categories and runners from all over the world are expected to participate.

L-R: Rainer Biemans, Director of Dirigo Events and Abrar A. Anwar, MD and CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia

A Virtual Run is where participants who register for an event can run anywhere within the specified time-frame as long as they provide proof of their completed distance through digital apps or wearables. As the Covid-19 pandemic has halted the staging of mass participation events, at least for the foreseeable future, Virtual Runs are increasingly becoming the next viable option to fill that void.

“We wanted to create something for our runners that would motivate and re-energise everyone about running again because without events to train for, enthusiasm levels often drop easily. And with the pandemic continuing to spread, it is now more important than ever for all of us to maintain our health at optimum levels and keep our immune systems strong.” said Rainer Biemans, Director of Dirigo Events. 

Media Q&A Photo

“We also understand that a lot of people are struggling financially at the moment and so we decided to make registrations free of charge to encourage as many people as possible to take part.” added Biemans.

Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia, who are title sponsors of the traditional Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon, resumes that role for the virtual event and are eager to play their part in encouraging Malaysians to maintain a healthy lifestyle in these trying times.

“In response to our runners’ enthusiasm to stay fit virtually and remotely, we are delighted to elevate their running experience with the new and interactive KLSCM virtual run. Our first ever virtual marathon comes at a time where we are witnessing a significant shift to virtual events in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope that the continued commitment of our KLSCM sponsorship will provide tangible ways for runners to keep active and engaged during such testing times.” said Abrar A. Anwar, Managing Director and CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia.

KLSCM 2020 VR Launch Group Photo

A distinct feature of this Virtual Run is that it has been designed to provide a proper challenge to participants, as unlike some virtual events where you can accumulate your mileage over several runs, the KLSCM 2020 Virtual Run requires that you complete your entered distance in a single attempt. Other key features to look forward to are:

1. Free Registration

Registration for the KLSCM 2020 Virtual Run will be free of charge. Runners will receive an e-bib once successfully registered and an e-certificate (upon completion) downloadable from 21 December 2020 onwards.

2. The KLSCM 2020 VR App
A dedicated digital Application has been developed that can be downloaded for free, and which will enable runners to track their run, submit their results, share their activity feed and comes packed with a host of other engaging features like category leaderboards and even an Augmented Reality selfie filter. You will also be able to Sync the App with your other digital wearables.

3. No Participation Limit to Categories

There will be no limits or quotas to the participation numbers for any distance or category. Participation will only be limited by age (12 years old and above for 5km, 15 years old and above for 10km and 18 years old and above for Half and Full Marathon).

4. Cut-off Times

There will be no specific cut-off times for each respective distance. Participants can complete their run anywhere outdoors, at a location of their choice, any time between 12.00am, 5 December and 11.59pm, 13 December 2020 (GMT+8).

5. Inclusion in KLSCM Official Participation History

Each successful registration is entered into the runner’s KLSCM Participation History.

6. Special Commemorative Merchandise

To commemorate the inaugural Virtual Run, exclusively designed official merchandise such as personalised medals, event tees, sports towels and face masks will be made available for purchase during the registration period.

Registration for KLSCM 2020 Virtual Run will be open from 18 November to 3 December 2020 through https://klscmvr.kl-marathon.com/2020/

For more information and updates on KLSCM 2020 Virtual Run, please visit:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SCKLmarathon
Twitter: https://twitter.com/klscmarathon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klscmarathon/
Website: www.kl-marathon.com

For more information on Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon:
Gloria Ng | 60376217787 | dirigo@dirigo.com.my

Suthan Narayanan | 6019 310 5794 | suthan@dirigo.com.my

For more information on Standard Chartered Bank:

Geraldine Tan | 6012 9071740 | geraldine.tan@sc.com

Mastura Adnan | 6012 316 2960 | mastura.adnan@sc.com

Brooks Shoes: Tropical Collection

BROOKS LEVITATE 3

Men

Women

Super Energized Cushioning
Offering our best energy return, the women's Levitate 3's DNA AMP midsole technology gives you back more of the effort you put in.

Quick Transitions
A flexible, arrow-point pattern on the outsole helps you move from heel to toe quickly without losing energy.

Secure, Sock-Like Fit
A redesigned knit upper with a pseudo-integrated tongue provides a secure, sock-like fit that moves with you.

ADRENALINE GTS 20

Men

Women

Balanced, Soft Cushioning
Responsive BioMoGo DNA cushioning stacked above a soft DNA LOFT Crash Pad work together to provide a touch of spring underfoot while cushioning each footfall.

GuideRails Holistic Support System
We've shifted our focus beyond the feet to the most injury-prone part of a runner's body: the knees. GuideRails keep you moving comfortably by keeping excess movement in check.

Modernized Fit
A new streamlined, engineered mesh upper with 3D Fit Print offers the structure and proven fit the Adrenaline is known for — without excess bulk.

Heel Design
The asymmetrical 3D Fit Print saddle pulls from the heel and wraps around your arch for a secure fit.

REVEL 3

Men

Women

New, Fresh Look
The redesigned flat-knit upper and midsole provide a look and feel that’s perfect for work, working out, or postwork activities.

Comfortable Fit
Enjoy the secure fit of an inner bootie that surrounds your foot in all-day comfort thanks to heat-activated yarns that won't stretch out over time.

Soft Cushioning
BioMoGo DNA, our proprietary cushioning, adapts to your stride, weight and speed. Why? So it can help protect you by deflecting impact away from your body.

KLSCM 2020 Pacer Assessment Trials

Inaugural Pacer Assessment Trials Raises The Bar For KLSCM 2020 Pacer Team

Have you ever used the services of a Pacer in a distance running event? Was it because you wanted to finish at a certain time or because you needed the encouragement, motivation and advice that an experienced Pacer could provide? Those are usually the main reasons why runners decide to follow a Pacer during an event but collectively, the Pacing team of a particular event play a significant role in getting as many runners as possible to achieve their finishing time goals. Pacers also perform an unofficial role as ambassadors and advocates of the event.

The Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon (KLSCM) began its Pacer programme in 2010 with the intention of raising the quality of the event, and it has grown to become a crucial ingredient of KLSCM ever since. Becoming a Pacer for the premier distance running event in Malaysia is a serious responsibility so this year, Dirigo Events, the owner and organizer of KLSCM, decided to invite and conduct open trials for all those harbouring aspirations to be a Pacer.

Out of an initial 247 applications, 116 runners were shortlisted for the Trials which took place over two consecutive Sundays. Both sessions were held over a 1km loop at the LHDN offices in Jalan Duta. The candidates were required to run consistently timed loops without the aid of watches or any electronic devices. The intention was to get the candidates to run by “feel” as consistently as they could, with the Half Marathon hopefuls doing 10 loops while those trying for the Full Marathon had to complete 18 loops.

“For the 12th edition of KLSCM, we felt we needed to freshen up our Pacer Team with some new blood and so we decided to conduct the Open Trials,” said Rainer Biemans, Project Director of KLSCM and Director of Dirigo Events. “The response was great and we had some really good performances over the two Sundays, which gives us a bit of a headache to select the best participants. But that was a nice problem to have,” added Biemans.

Biemans and the Dirigo Team have now analysed all the results and have come to the difficult decision of selecting 30 Pacers for KLSCM 2020. Congratulations to all those who were selected to be a KLSCM 2020 Pacer! Keep training and keep the KLSCM Pacer flag flying high! The successful candidates are listed below:

HALF MARATHON
1. Munintaran Sundram	(2:00)
2. Nur Helmi b Nor Halim	(2:00)
3. Siti Shuhaizam bt Mamat Raduan	(2:30)
4. Shirley Chan	(2:30)
5. Rosaline Tee Min Jy	(3:00)
6. Nor Amalina bt Mohd Yunus	(3:00)

FULL MARATHON
1. Lionel Lee San Loong	(3:45)
2. Puaa Wen Piao	(3:45)
3. Lim Yew Khuay	(4:00)
4. Richard Tang	(4:00)
5. Malcalm Chew	(4:30)
6. David Christopher	(4:30)
7. Teoh Beng Jun	(5:00)
8. Chua Soon Ee	(5:00)
9. William Chung Wei Lam	(5:00)
10.Loh Kien Waei	(5:30)
11.Ahmad Hadafi b. Jus	(5:30)
12.Mohd Fazli Izwan b Abd Jalil	(5:30)

FULL MARATHON
13.Seah Leong San	(6:00)
14.Annliza Alexander Alibar	(6:00)
15.Joel Lawrence	(6:00)
16.Kee Chai Soon	(6:30)
17.Yeoh Ching Ya	(6:30)
18.Sim Kuan Kuek	(6:30)
19.Azieziah Abdul Rahman	(7:00)
20.Look Swee Yit	(7:00)
21.Radiah Kalia Abdullah	(7:00)
22.Tan Kok Hee	(7:15)
23.Wong Sing Haow	(7:15)
24.Low Chooi Wan	(7:15)

Please bear in mind that the selected Pacers will be making appearances at the KLSCM 2020 Running Clinics, which will commence later this month, right up till May 2020. If you have a time goal for this year’s KLSCM, do find out who the Pacers are for that timing and attend the Running Clinic that they will be at to get to know them and seek their advice. Follow the KLSCM FB page to find out who will be at which Clinic!