Vietnamese marathoners Nong Thi Chang (from right), Trinh Dinh An and Nguyen Thi Anh Tuyet top their respective events at the Borneo Marathon in Likas yesterday.
KOTA KINABALU (May 5): Vietnamese marathoners Trinh Dinh An and Nong Thi Chang were crowned the Men’s and Women’s Open 42km winners in the Borneo Marathon in Likas yesterday.
It was the second straight year that Vietnam dominated the top placing in the full marathon race after Le Van Tuan and Nguyen Thi Duong had done so last year.
And to make it even more memorable, Nguyen Thi Anh Tuyet made it three full marathon titles for Vietnam when she finished top of the Women’s Veteran event.
In the Men’s Open, Trinh Dinh An crossed the finish line at the Likas Stadium in two hours fifty minutes and twelve seconds (2:50.12s) to win by just over a minute over Japanese runner Yuki Kaneyama (2:51.16s) while Muhammad Amirul Hamdi Jamil of Brunei Darussalam came in third in 2:54.32s.
Nong Thi Chang gave Vietnam a second title on the day when she clocked 3:14.09s to top the Women’s Open race followed by Malaysian duo Li Min Ho (3:44.47s) and Ai Mai Li (3:50.19s).
“My initial goal was (to finish) in three hours but due to rain, I was exhausted … I felt cold and suffered minor stomachache too.
“However, when I saw all the runners around me, I told myself to just keep going. The strategy is to rest little after every water station to regain my strength.
“I was also felt motivated by the support from the people along the way. Everyone is very friendly and I love the people here.
“In the end, I was glad that I managed to reach the finish line. I was really tired but luckily I did not suffer serious injury or pain.
“I’m hapy with the victory and the organiser did a really good job with the Borneo Marathon,” Nong Thi Chang, who has a best time of 3:00.21s, said after the prize presentation.
Nguyen Thi Anh Tuyet, on the other hand, completed the title hattrick for Vietnam after taking the top podium finish in the Women’s Veteran in a time of 3:24.39s.
Jamie Fu and fellow Malaysian runners Sue Lynn Ho settled for second and third placings in 3:47.07s and 3:53.43s respectively.
Organised by the Kinabalu Running Club (KRC), the Borneo Marathon which had attracted entries from various countries, also featured the 21km and 10km races.
Borneo Marathon 2024 Results
Marathon (42km)
Men’s Open
1. Trinh Dinh An (Vie) 2:50.12s
2. Yuki Kaneyama (Jpn) 2:51.16s
3. Muhammad Amirul Hamdi Jamil (Bru) 2:54.32s
Women’s Open
1. Nong Thi Chang (Vie) 3:14.09s
2. Li Min Ho (Mas) 3:44.47s
3. Ai Mai Li (Mas) 3:50.19s
Men’s Veteran
1.Yushiyuki Ono (Jpn) 2:51.23s
2. Daved Simpat (Mas) 3:05.18s
3. Masazumi Tokuwaka (Jpn) 3:14.46s
Women’s Veteran
1. Nguyen Thi Anh Tuyet (Vie) 3:24.39s
2. Jamie Fu (Mas) 3:47.07s
3. Sue Lynn Ho (Mas) 3:53.43s
Men’s Senior Veteran
1. Jimmy Chai Ping Guan (Mas) 3:07.29s
2. Mohd Rashid Rahim (Mas) 3:07.38s
3. Kuang Ek Kho (Mas) 3:30.51s
Women’s Senior Veteran
1. Mimi Yong (Mas) 4:08.24s
2. Li Ling Saw (Mas) 4:29.08s
3. Lim Mi Kong (Mas) 4:39.33s
Half Marathon (21km)
Men’s Open
1. Romieo Gomboh Mieo (Mas) 1:19.27s
2. Lau Ka Ki (Hkg) 1:22.01s
3. Faez Ismail (Mas 1:22.21s
Women’s Open
1. Lavinia Kong (Mas) 1:38.31s
2. Dorine Ng Gek Khim (Sgp) 1:42.09s
3. Stephanie Wah (Mas) 1:43.39s
Men’s Veteran
1. Dmytro Badyvski (Ukr) 1:28.52s
2. Faizal Wahid (Mas) 1:29.20s
3. Ruston Masri (Mas) 1:29.24s
Women’s Veteran
1. Lim Baoying (Sgp) 1:34.38s
2. Michelle Wong (Mas) 1:42.28s
3. Irene Goh (Mas) 1:51.03s
Men’s Senior Veteran
1. Takehiro Yamamoto (Jpn) 1:21.57s
2. Yusop Tungkob (Mas) 1:26.49s
3. Siew Toong Choong (Sgp) 1:28.45s
Women’s Senior Veteran
1.Anthea Muir (Aus) 2:03.21s
2. Lee Tin Lam (Mas) 2:13.42s
3. Mee Kien Yen (Mas) 2:14.55s
10km
Men’s Open
1. Ruzaini Mahadi (Bru) 34.40s
2. Calvin Rowell Rompog (Mas) 36.05s
3. Nick Chok (Bru) 36.07s
Women’s Open
1. Mira Zaini (Bru) 48.14s
2. Vierawatie Haris (Mas) 52.10s
3. Joanne Chai Suk May (Mas) 52.29s
Junior Boy’s Open
1. Irfan Izz Affandi (Mas) 38.40s
2. Azach Ahzron Victor (Mas) 40.17s
3. Arthur Gimbun (Mas) 40.35s
Junior Girl’s Open
1. Sharlene Fioney Sonny (Mas) 47.19s
2. Adella Dhaniya M. Adam Danial (Mas) 50.37s
3. Adella Dhanisa M. Adam Danial (Mas) 52.25s
Men’s Veteran
1. Asdi Asdi (Mas) 38.52s
2. Simon Gelasius Kudjil (Mas) 39.04s
3. Akilinnizam Sulaiman (Bru) 40.47s
Women’s Veteran
1. Ley Mee Lee (Mas) 48.38s
2. Epang Sarawi (Mas) 50.00s
3. Yap Chui Ling (Mas) 54.22s