5 days ago
Belacan maker Jin Kuang stirs up a storm in Taiping
KUALA LUMPUR: Ow Yong Jin Kuang and Vivien Ng stole the spotlight at the Taiping Half Marathon on Sunday, powering through heat and hills to win the men's and women's 21km races.
Jin Kuang, 38, clocked 1:15:55s on the scenic but challenging AIMS-certified course that wound through Taiping's colonial streets and Lake Gardens.
It marked a strong return to form for the Perak-born, who had only recently recovered from an injury.
"I'm happy with my timing today, especially since I only just recovered in May," said Jin Kuang, who runs a belacan-making business.
"To be back at this level and clock 1:15:55 feels really satisfying," he said. "My PB is 1:14, and I don't have big goals now as I'm entering the veteran category, but if I can break 1:13, I'd be thrilled."
Jin Kuang, who plans to race abroad next year, had extra reason to celebrate.
Hs wife Yee Pei Ni won the women's 10km category just months after giving birth.
"Usually, after childbirth, many women stop running. But my wife is very patient and disciplined. We support each other and take turns to train. Running is our shared passion," said Jin Kuang
In the women's 21km race, 27-year-old architect Vivien was a class apart, crossing the line in 1:39:41, just three weeks after completing the Gold Coast Marathon in 3:22, which qualified her for next year's Boston Marathon.
The former student of a Taiping high school now lives in Hong Kong.
Her participation was a spontaneous decision during a visit home.
"I hadn't planned to race but saw a post about it from my friend's dad, and the medal design caught my eye.
" It was so beautiful I signed up right away," she said.
Despite limited training due to post-marathon recovery, Vivien was pleased with her performance.
"This was my first half-marathon in such intense heat and humidity, so I started conservatively. It's not a PB, but I'm really happy," she said.
Vivien, who also won this year's Taiping Endurance Challenge's six-hour category with a record 60km, is now eyeing sub-1:30 in the half-marathon and hopes to complete all six World Marathon Majors.
21km
Men: 1. Ow Yong Jin Kuang 1:15:55s, 2. Rizan Firdaus Rohaizad 1:20:03, 3.
Danish Norhisam 1:20:19.
Women: 1. Vivien Ng 1:39:41, 2. Chuah Joo Khim 1:42:52, 3. Yeoh Zi Kean 1:44:12.
10km
Men: 1. Joshua Loh 34:45, 2. Izul Amirul Mukmim 35:36, 3. Luqman Nurhakim Mohamad 37:08.
