Its role as a selection platform for the biennial Games also raise the level of competition in the marathon.
KUALA LUMPUR Standard Chartered Marathon (KLSCM) project director Rainer Biemans is hopeful that runners from the event will earn the opportunity to represent the country at next year’s SEA Games.
Biemans, who is also the director of event organiser Dirigo Events, expressed his optimism based on the performances of local runners at previous editions of the regional Games.
“If I look at last year’s results in Thailand, I believe they can because anything can happen in a marathon.
“We want to help them build towards the SEA Games. The representatives will ultimately be selected by the committee, but we want to provide a platform for them to realise their full potential,” he said.
Biemans was speaking after the prize presentation ceremony for the KLSCM Corporate Challenge and Run Club Challenge in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.
The annual running event served as a platform for the initial selection of athletes for the 2027 SEA Games, with the top five male and female finishers progress to the final qualifying race in April.
They will be joined by runners from KLSCM 2025 and other local athletes who meet the qualifying criteria, with four places up for grabs.
Biemans added that using the marathon as a platform for SEA Games selection inadvertently raise the level of competition but also encourage a healthier lifestyle among the public.
“It’s a success,” he said. “The runners were happy, and I noticed that they were also getting faster compared to previous editions.
“If I look at the median finishing time for the full marathon, we are now closing in on five hours and 30 minutes. It is proof that Malaysians are getting faster and fitter, and overall, I’m happy with the turnout.”
The positive response has given Beimens confidence that participation numbers could increase in future editions, although the organisers will first need to assess the logistical requirements.
The 2026 KLSCM, held on Oct 3 and 4, attracted a record 43,800 participants, including 3,600 international runners.
The 18th edition of the event featured four race categories, including the full marathon (42km), half marathon (21km) and 5km fun run.
