Brahim (seated second left) with the organising committee members.
KUCHING: Some 1,000 runners are expected to join the inaugural Samarahan Half Marathon on Sept 23 at Halaman Samarahan.
Samarahan Resident Brahim Lumpu told reporters at his office yesterday the Half Marathon would be divided into three categories.
They are Men’s Open and Women’s Open for the 21km Half Marathon, Men’s and Women’s Open for 10km, and Students and Fun Run for the 5km.
“We are hoping that more than 1,000 runners will take part in this event and we are also planning to turn it into a full marathon if this first edition is a big success.
“The objectives of organising this half marathon are to promote Samarahan as a sports tourism destination to both locals and foreigners; encourage the participation in sports activities; giving awareness to the general public on the importance of keeping fit and healthy and to promote the newly opened Samarahan Bridge that links Kota Samarahan and Asajaya District,” he said at the press conference.
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is expected to grace the event.
Entry fees for the Men’s Open and Women’s Open of the Half Marathon is RM70 per person who will each get a Run T-Shirt, Finisher T-Shirt and medal while it is RM60 for the Men’s Open and Women’s Open for the 10km and RM35 for Student – 5km and RM45 for Fun Run – 5km who will each get a Run T-shirt and medal.
Prizes will be awarded to the top 20 winners for each category, with the Men’s Open and Women’s Open (21km) champions getting RM1,000 each, and the Men’s Open and Women’s Open (10km) getting RM300 each while the winner of the Student (5km) shall receive RM140.
Those interested to join the half marathon can register online at www.malaysiarunner.com or at Youth and Sports Department Samarahan, Revolution Run or Green Heights Mall.