SCKLM is Now KLSCM

The 11th Biggest Marathon in Kuala Lumpur is now called Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon (KLSCM) and it brings together top world and local competitive marathon runners.

It will take place at iconic Dataran Merdeka  on 28 and 29 September, bringing together 40,000 runners compete in a variety of distances, with the previous year’s title holders all returning to stake their claim once again.

“The Race weekend will see thrilling contests between the defending champions in various categories and the upstarts who will be pushing the incumbents all the way,” said KLSCM Project Director Rainer Biemans, who is also a Director of Dirigo Events, the owner and organiser of KLSCM. “As an added highlight, making his debut in KLSCM will be YB Syed  Saddiq, Minister of Youth and Sports, who will make it the first time a full-fledged Minister has taken part in the Half Marathon category,” added Biemans.

The undisputed “king” in the local marathon scene, Muhaizar Mohamad, will be back to defend his title in the Malaysian Men’s Full Marathon category for an astonishing fifth consecutive time. Muhaizar, who won Malaysia’s first S.E.A. Games medal in the event in the last 44 years in the 2017 KL edition, is also representing Malaysia again in the event at this year’s Games in Manila, Philippines. He is currently the second fastest Malaysian marathoner after national record holder Leo Tan Huong Leong. Leo, who came in third at last year’s KLSCM, will unfortunately not be participating this year due to other commitments.

Muhaizar Mohamad and Nik Fakaruddin

Muhaizar Mohamad and Nik Fakaruddin

Due to his participation in the Manila S.E.A. Games in November this year however, Muhaizar is not expected to push himself to glory at KLSCM2019 as both events are just two months apart and his priority is representing Malaysia at the Games.

“KLSCM2019 will be my last marathon outing in my preparations for the S.E.A. Games and I do not want to jeopardise my training for that. I still aim to be competitive and hope to defend my KLSCM title as it is an event that is close to my heart after winning it four times in a row. Dirigo Events, the owner and organiser of KLSCM has also been one of my strongest supporters and I want to repay their faith in me by participating again this year,” said Muhaizar.

The main obstacle in the defence of Muhaizar’s title will come in the form of someone well known to him. Nik Fakaruddin, who came in second last year, is a vastly improved runner and is in fact Muhaizar’s compatriot in the Armed Forces and one of his regular training partners. Nik’s advantage this time around would be knowing that there’s nothing preventing him from going all out to bag his first title especially since Muhaizar would be more concerned with the upcoming S.E.A. Games.

In the Full Marathon Open category, two-time consecutive champions Cosmas Matolo Muteti and Elizabeth Chepkanan Rumokol from Kenya will return to defend their Men’s and Women’s tiles respectively. Their aim to win their third consecutive titles in Kuala Lumpur will be put to the test by elite Ethiopian athletes who will be making their debuts at KLSCM. Cosmas will be tested by Victor Kipchirchir who has a personal best of 2:07:39 while Asnakech Mengistu Egigawehu (2:25:50) and Ticzita Terechu Dida (2:28:00) will both give Elizabeth a run for her money in the Women’s FM Open category.

Cosmas Matolo Muteti and Elizabeth Chepkanan Rumokol

Cosmas believes his success in the past two KLSCMs is due to the similar climatic conditions between his home base in Machakos County in Kenya and Kuala Lumpur so although Victor’s personal best is a pretty fast time, it was probably achieved in a non-humid and cooler climate. “After developing knee and muscle problems after the Singapore marathon last year, I have not participated in any marathons since and my body has been recovering and responding well to my training. I’m happy with my progress and I’m confident of being competitive enough to try and defend my title,” said Cosmas. “While I appreciate the competition from other strong runners, I’m still someone who runs without apprehension as I’m only concerned with my own race. My motto is ‘train hard and the winning will come automatically’ and I am really looking forward to racing in Kuala Lumpur, which has a special place in my heart,” added the champion.

In the Malaysian Women’s FM category, Loh Chooi Fern will be back to defend the title she won last year in 3:18:44 but is expected to better that time as she recorded a personal best sub 3 hour time in the Gold Coast Marathon earlier this year. Nur Amelia Musa, the wife of Nik Fakaruddin, will be her most serious competition in this year’s KLSCM but Loh is relishing the challenge. “Women are getting stronger in marathons and I expect to be pushed hard this year. This is great for the sport as intense but healthy competition can only serve to help us achieve better times,” said Loh.

The darling of the Malaysian Women’s HM category Sheela Samivellu, will be attempting to make it four in a row and it’s hard to see anyone going toe-to-toe with her in this year’s race. Sheela, who is also the national record holder over the distance and the course record holder, has not set any specific targets for this year’s race and just hopes to finish the race successfully. “When I’m in a competition, I regard everyone as competitors and usually don’t target specific people to beat. My ultimate goal is usually to just to run well and finish strongly,” said the modest Sheela.

Apart from the exciting contests in store in the blue-ribbon categories, SCKLM will again see its fair share of inspirational stories from incredible individuals who use the marathon as a springboard to motivate and challenge others to do more with their lives, none more so than Chris Koch. Born without limbs, Chris is a Canadian farmer, athlete, adventurer and motivational speaker who will be attempting to complete his eighth marathon using a special longboard. “This will be my first time in Malaysia and first time attempting a marathon in this sort of hot and humid climate. I’m grateful to the organisers for allowing me to participate in my eighth marathon in the third continent and am looking forward to this particular challenge,” said Koch.

The Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon has grown to become the premier distance running event in Malaysia that draws thousands of local and international runners to the country whilst firmly establishing Malaysia in the global running calendar. The 2019 edition will be the largest yet with 40,000 runners taking part, including 1,900 running tourists from 73 countries from around the world, and will once again see sponsorship from Title Sponsor Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia, along with Under Armour, 100 Plus, Seiko, Jaybird, Pacific Regency, Banana Boat and TudungPeople.

 

For more information and updates on KLSCM, please visit:

Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/SCKLmarathon
Twitter : www.twitter.com/SCKLmarathon
Instagram : https://instagram.com/SCKLmarathon
Website : www.kl-marathon.com

Nashata #hijabirunners at SCKLM 2019

In a couple of weeks the Standard Charted KL Marathon (SCKLM) will be back again. It is the biggest running event in Malaysia and the most anticipated marathon by runners from Malaysia and overseas. The event is held annually since 1989. It starts on 29th of September in Kuala Lumpur this year, with an estimated forty thousand participants.There are several categoriest: Full Marathon (FM) with a distance of 42.2km, Half Marathon(HM), with a distance of 21km, 10km and 5km.

We are very excited for this event this year as Nashata celebrates hijabi runners who are taking up the challenge be it the first time or repeatedly running a marathon. Here are the nine hijabi runners who will be running the FM at the SCKLM, InsyaAllah. Three of them will be running their very first full marathon and the other six – repeated marathon runners.

Meet the nine of the Nashata Runners who will be running the FM at #SCKLM2019.

1.  FARHATI

Farhati started running in year 2018. She loves running as she finds it as a free prescription for happy hormones. She is finisher of eight Half Marathon and she will be running her 1st Full Marathon at SCKLM 2019. She ran her personal best for 5KM and completed her recent Half Marathon in Nashata Sports Robe 

“Since it’ll be my very first FM, I hope that I would be able to survive it”, says Farhati

#prayforfarhati

She runs in Nashata : Sports Robe, Ultra Top and Hooda Sports Hijab

2.  INTAN SIZA

Intan Siza is a mother of two kids. An active lady since young, Intan started running in 2014. She loves running and stays active to catch up with her kids’ energy and also to gain back her stamina. She will be running her 5th Full Marathon at the SCKLM2019 and has finished running 50km races twice.

She said “This 5th FM will mean a lot to me because I will run together with my friend for her Virgin FM as a birthday gift for her. I will support her to finish the race within the cut of time”.

She runs in Nashata Ultra Top, Hooda Ellipse Sports Hijab & Fitness Leggings

3.  INTAN SURAYA

Intan Suraya is a veteran marathon and ultra runner. She started running at 33 and has been running over a decade. Other than running she supports and helps many runners too. SCKLM2019 would be her 12th Full Marathon and her 9th year running at the SCKLM. She runs to maintain her body weight, improve stamina and to stay fit and healthy.

“I am prepared and training hard for this event, I would like to finish the race before the cut of time but if I can break my personal best, it’s a bonus for me”, shares Intan who tries not to miss running at SCKLM.

She runs in Nashata Head to toe all the time

4.  LAILI MARDZIAH

Due to blood sugar test that indicates pre-diabetic condition, Laili chooses to practice a healthy lifestyle. So in 2018, she started running and will be running her first Full Marathon at the SCKLM2019.

“I am a very busy mom and running is the best workout for me. I can run alone, anytime and anywhere without involved with any team, it’s just myself for me time. SCKLM 2019 is very meaningful to me, because this would be my 1st Full Marathon. I will try my best to finish the race within the cut of time without any injuries”, says Laili.

She runs in Nashata Ellipse Sports Hijab

5. NOR BAIZATUL AKMAL

Nor Baizatul Akmal or better known as Apeng is a Ultramarathoner,  a six times finisher of 100km category.  She started running in 2011.  At first, she ran to lose weight, keep healthy and be fit.  Nowadays, she wants to challenge herself to run long distances races. 

“I wish to complete my FM at SCKLM 2019 within the cut of time since it’s been a while since the last time I race a full marathon”.

She runs in Nashata Ultra Tops

6.  NUR AZYAN

Nur Azyan is a mother of a lovely girl, loves to run for weight loss and  to keep her healthy and fit.  She said “When I run with my friends, I get some ‘me-time’ for myself away from work and home stresses”  She loves to challenge herself and for now her longest distance is 90km, and planning to achieve 100km races.

“SCKLM is very meaningful to me because my 1st race event was at SCKLM 2010 in 5km fun run category,  I broke my virgin full marathon at SCKLM 2011, and my still-holding personal best record for FM is at SCKLM 2012. SCKLM 2019 will be my 8th FM, I will try my best to finish the race within the cut of time without any injuries.”

She runs in Nashata Ultra Tops, Hooda Ellipse Sports Hijab, Crop Top

7.  SITI NOR ALIZA

Siti Nor Aliza is a mother of two daughters. She started running in 2014.  She loves to run as a way to stay fit and healthy and to inspire all mothers out there. “In my opinion, every mother should always be healthy and fit to look after their children. So, as a mother, we need to find time to exercise and live a healthy lifestyle”. 

“I broke my virgin full marathon last year at Malaysia Women Marathon but for SCKLM 2019, it would be my 1st full marathon as I signed up for half marathon category previous year.  I will try my best to complete the race within the cut of time without any injuries”, Aliza shares excitedly.

She runs in Nashata Ultra Tops, Hooda Ellipse and Riada Salasa Pants

8.  SYARIZA

Syariza, started running in 2017.  She loves running to maintain her body weight. She said “Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams”

InsyaAllah, she will break her virgin full marathon at SCKLM 2019.

Celebrating my 42nd birthday on the day by successfully completing the 42km run. It will be the best birthday gift that I could give to myself”, says Syariza

She runs in Nashata Leia Top, Hooda Ellipse Sports Hijab and Riada Salasa Pants

9.  ZAMZAMIAH

Zamzamiah, started running in late 2014. She also loves trail run and hiking to challenge herself. An ultramarathoner and finisher 100km in few races, she says “I dare to challenge myself and push myself beyond the limit. We are all the same, but the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra. If I can do it, so do you !”

She added, “Achieving a Personal Best timing is always a bonus for me. I hope I’m in the best form to run in SCKLM2019 with no injury and that I will be able to smile towards the finishing line. Apart from that, I look forward to see more competitive hijabi runners in SCKLM2019.”

She runs in Nashata Ultra Tops, Hooda Ellipse and Racerback Sports Hijab and Compression Skirt Pants

 

For those who will be running – All the best for your run and enjoy it.
If you see #NashataRunners and any other runners, smile and say hello. All runners are awesome!  So do support and cheer each other for trying the best and for finishing the race with alhamdulillah. See you on the 29th September 2019.

Follow #nashatarunners on Instagram to follow their updates