Malaysia’s road to the SEA Games 2027 marathon now has a clear starting line. Malaysia Athletics (MA) and Dirigo Events will stage a dedicated qualification race in April 2027 to decide who represents the country in the men’s and women’s marathon when the Games are held in Malaysia at the end of September 2027.
The plan was announced at a Malaysian athletes’ briefing on Sunday, 25 October 2026, in a media statement read by Datuk Wan Hisham Wan Salleh, Acting President of MA, to national marathoners, the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), the media and the running community.
KLSCM 2026 Champions Set the Pace
The statement opened by congratulating the top five Malaysian men and women at the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon (KLSCM) 2026. Yeow Ni Jia defended the men’s title he first won in 2025, improving from 2:36:13 to 2:33:52, a new KLSCM record for Malaysian men.
In the women’s race, Esther Joy Chen Hong Li won in 3:05:22 on her marathon debut.
Where and When the SEA Games 2027 Marathon Qualifier Takes Place
The qualification event is planned for the first half of April 2027, most probably in Putrajaya. Organisers hope to use the same route as the actual SEA Games 2027 marathon, giving athletes the chance to race the course months before the Games.
It is part of MA’s partnership with Dirigo Events, announced earlier this year, to prepare athletes for the Games. Organisers expect no more than 20 athletes in each of the men’s and women’s categories.
Who Is Eligible to Race
Malaysian runners can earn a place on the start line through three routes.
KLSCM 2026 Top Five
Men: Yeow Ni Jia (2:33:52), Lai Yi Hng (2:34:16), Tan Huong Leong (2:39:17), Christopher a/l A Soosai (2:40:01) and Syahrullah bin Safri (2:40:48).
Women: Esther Joy Chen Hong Li (3:05:22), Elaine Koon (3:12:43), Lai Wei Ling (3:14:37), Lim Ee Kim (3:21:23) and Tiew Jing Jing (3:24:55).
KLSCM 2025 Top Five
Men: Yeow Ni Jia (2:36:13), Tan Huong Leong (2:37:05), Muhaizar bin Mohamad (2:44:37), Lai Yi Hng (2:44:51) and Syahrullah bin Safri (2:44:56).
Women: Chua Khityeng (3:05:40), Noor Amelia binti Musa (3:09:03), Lee Siok Chin (3:11:07), Lai Wei Ling (3:15:38) and Chew Jia Qi (3:18:12).
Qualifying Times
Any other Malaysian man who has run faster than 2:39:04, or woman faster than 2:59:25, is also eligible. These marks match the fifth-place times at the 2025 SEA Games marathon.
The time must be set at a World Athletics-certified, AIMS-measured race in Malaysia or overseas between 1 April 2026 and 30 March 2027. Runners can seek guidance from the organising committee on which races count.
Support for the KLSCM 2026 Top Five
To help the 2026 top five prepare, the following support will be made available:
- Access to National Sports Institute (ISN) facilities in Bukit Jalil via MA, including the weights room and physiotherapy
- Rehabilitation services at Dynamique Sports Rehab Centre as an alternative to ISN
- Help registering for international races before the qualifier, with a possible allowance for these overseas races
- Training schedule reviews and guidance from Coach Azhar
- Other services, depending on athlete feedback and available resources
The KLSCM 2025 top five may also race in the qualifier but will not receive this support.
Organising Committee and Selection Process
The SEA Games 2027 Marathon organising committee will run the qualifier and decide the final list of eligible athletes. Its current members are:
- Datuk Wan Hisham Wan Salleh, Acting President, MA
- Norhayati Karim, Secretary General, MA
- Rainer Biemans, Dirigo Events
- Gloria Ng, Dirigo Events
- Dr Ong Kian-Ming, Adjunct Professor, Taylor’s University
- A representative from OCM
Dr Ong joins as an independent consultant, given his government experience and long involvement in Malaysia’s running scene. More members may be added as needed.
The top two men and women in the qualifier will be proposed for SEA Games selection, with the third-place finishers as backup. The final decision rests with OCM.
A Public Run and a New Flagship Event
The committee also hopes to hold a public run on the same day, after the qualifier ends, so the public can cheer on the athletes before taking part themselves. Organisers are approaching sponsors and partners, and hope to offer prize money to the top finishers.
MA intends to hold the qualifier every two years in line with the SEA Games cycle, making it the federation’s own flagship marathon event, much like the USATF marathon qualifier held every four years for the Olympics.
For Malaysia’s best marathoners, the road to the SEA Games 2027 marathon now runs through April 2027.
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