GEORGE TOWN: THE Penang Bridge International Marathon across the Second Penang Bridge, Jambatan Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, will be held on Nov 16.
Recognised as the country’s largest marathon for the past three years by the Malaysia Book of Records, it will be held over the longest bridge in Southeast Asia for the first time.
The signature event was to be held over the newly constructed brigde last year but because of uncertainties it was reverted to the first bridge.
Organising committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said attempts were being made to get the Guinness World Records to accredit the race as the “World Longest Bridge Marathon”.
He said the 42.142km race would be held on the 24km bridge and it would be the only event in the world where a marathon took place entirely on a bridge.
Besides the top lucky draw prize of a Honda City, the cash prize has been increased from RM126,400 to RM252,800 as women will receive the same amount as men in all categories.
“Last year, the event attracted some 47,500 participants. This year we are expecting some 65,000 to run in the full and half marathons, the 10km race and the 7km fun run categories.
“To date close to 60,000 have registered and expect to hit the target by the closing date on Sept 30,” he said after receiving sponsorships from Revive, Milo, Nestle Fitnesse, Salonpas, Sports Toto, Yakult and Keluarga drinking water at Traders Hotel here recently.
He said for the first time, race packs, which would include a
T-shirt, race guide and bib numbers would be distributed early in Taman Bukit Jalil and Taman Titiwangsa for participants from Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
In Penang, the collection point on Sunday will be at Botanical Garden and from Oct 30 till Nov 4 at Gurney Paragon.
The organisers would also conduct marathon running clinics at major towns in the country.