Third edition of HSL Samarahan Marathon a resounding success, slots filled ahead of event
KOTA SAMARAHAN (June 15): The third edition of Hock Seng Lee's (HSL) Samarahan Marathon was hailed as a resounding success, with slots in the 10 kilometres (km), 21km and 42km categories fully booked ahead of the event.
HSL's marketing communication lead Abraham Tiong remarked that the overwhelming response underscores Samarahan's potential as a vibrant community hub.
'The longer distance categories outsold the shorter distances categories first. It was a great surprise and a huge encouragement to us.
'It proved to us that our race course is well-liked by both pros and amateurs. Even before the event, so many were excitedly commenting on social media that this could become one of the 'fastest' races in Malaysia,' he noted in a statement.
For the 21km and 42km (full marathon) distances, the race featured four categories: Men's Open, Men's Veteran, Women's Open and Women's Veteran, while the 10km distance included only Men's Open and Women's Open.
The event attracted more than 2,000 participants, including locals and international runners from Kenya, China, Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia and Brunei.
Some participants who successfully completed the race.
The race route incorporated stretches along the newly completed Tanjung Bako Road, Samarahan's natural mangrove swamps and rivers, and even passed through the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak's (Unimas) campus.
Both the start and finish lines were located at HSL's La Promenade Mall.
'The course's minimal elevation (mostly flat course) facilitated swift finishing times for many enthusiasts, while also encouraging amateur runners to push their limits,' Tiong said.
Co-organised with City Joggers Club and Unimas, the event kicked off yesterday with engaging 3km and 6km fun runs.
Mohammad Shawal Roslie, winner of the Men's Veteran full marathon category.
In the Men's Veteran full marathon category, supermarket supervisor, Mohammad Shawal Roslie, 41, from Sarikei, clinched first place with a personal best time of 3 hours and 9 minutes.
'I feel ecstatic to have completed the full marathon and won this category,' he told reporters after receiving his prize at La Promenade Mall here today.
Mohammad Shawal shared that he trained for about a month for this marathon. He began participating in marathons at age of 39 and has been taking part in the Samarahan Marathon since last year.
He also shared his plans to participate in the Bintulu Marathon 2025, scheduled for Aug 3.
The Samarahan Marathon was also attended by Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts permanent secretary Morshidi Fredrick, Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman Abang Ismawi Abang Ali, Next Phase director Yu Ji and other distinguished guests. Abraham Tiong Hock Seng Lee's (HSL) Samarahan Marathon
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