SEPANG: National runner, Lili Suhairi Md Yang Ghazali and Valentine Jepkemoi Serem of Kenya both emerged victorious as they won the Men’s Open and Women’s Open categories respectively at the 2017 KUL Marathon that was held around the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), earlier today.
Lili Suhairi showed he was in a class of his own when he finished first in the 42 kilometre category in a time of 3 hours, 9 minutes and 40 seconds, while Valentine took the Women’s Open category clocking 3’29:10s.
Their victories enabled each of them to take home cash prizes of RM1,500 each along with winners trophies.
Lili Suhairi, 34, a swimming instructor from Selangor, said he was excited with such a triumph, and he hopes to defend his title if he can take part in next year’s edition.
“I am very happy. This is the first time I’m running around the airport and it is a very special experience compared to running in other marathon’s at other locations.
“What makes this marathon so uniquely interesting is the running path which has more fresh air, and the fact that we’re running a marathon around a massive international airport far from the city.
“If the distance for this run (42km) remains for next year, I will most definitely be taking part,” he said while sharing the fact that he arrived at the marathon’s flag off point at about 1.30am from Petaling Jaya.
The KUL Marathon is Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad’s (Malaysia Airports) first time organising a marathon , which began at about 3am to mark the company’s 25th anniversary.
Apart from local participants who made up the majority of the runners, there were participants from other countries as well such as from China, the Philippines, Kenya, Brunei, Japan dan Singapore.
The first KUL marathon managed to attract 3,000 runners who took part in four categories which are 42 km, 25km, 10km and 3km around KLIA.
Malaysia Airports managing director, Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said that overall, he was satisfied with their first attempt in organising a marathon around the airport.
“We are very proud because this is a unique event held around an international airport and participants of the marathon were able to witness commercial aircraft landing and taking off while they were running.
“If all goes well we are planning on making this a yearly event, and we are also studying the possibility of organising a cycling event here as well,” said Badlisham when met here earlier today.
The 2017 KUL Marathon also saw The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad (NSTP) involved as the official media partner .
Here are the results for the 2017 KUL Marathon that took place around the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), earlier today.
42 kilometre Category:
Men’s Open:
1. Lili Suhairi Md Yang Ghazali, 3’09:40
2. Wilsen Singgin, 3’11:12
3. Lim Wenjia, 3’17:40
Women’s Open:
1. Valentine Jepkemoi Serem, 3’29:10
2. Syamemeliana Ruslan, 4’11:56
3. Puah Lay San, 4’32:18
Men’s Senior:
1. Calvin Tan, 3’23:43
2. Tan Song Hua, 3’42:08
3. Swee Hsien Ming, 3’46:43
Women’s Senior:
1. Kartini Ahmad Kamal, 4’10:41
2. Shirley Koh Pui Ling, 4’33:09
3. Lynil Martinez, 4’43:43
25 kilometre Category
Men’s open:
1. Charles Munyua, 1’30:14
2. Law Lip Hou, 1’53:36
3. Mohd Rahim Rahimi Ibrahim, 1’53:36
Women’s Open:
1. Tahira Najmunisaa Muhammad Zaid, 1’58:48
2. Jessica Tang Mei Lee, 2’08:55
3. Jasmin Lianne Kruger, 2’18:34
Men’s Senior:
1. Bakli Dul, 1’45: 34
2. LimBoon Kheng, 1’50:38
3. Lee Kui Seong, 1’58:37
Women’s Senior:
1. Carol Chan Yee May, 2’17:43
2. Lee Yin Yin, 2’20:11
3. Gng Wai Choo, 2’23:17
10 kilometre Category:
Men’s Open:
1. Anas Rosli, 36:47
2. Chen Kai Hao, 43:42
3. Willie David Christopher, 44:56
Women’s Open:
1. Daniella Nant, 44:26
2. Susan Merrie Swier, 47:29
3. Tan Li Hoon, 54:22
Men’s Senior:
1. Hillay Kipkeny Koech, 36:28
2. Nar Bahadur Shah, 39:47
3. Lim Khon Seng, 41:26
Women’s Senior:
1. Chin Chin, 51:14
2. Cheong Mey Ling, 56:57
3. Azaitulrimi Shamsudi
n, 1’00:43
42km category prizes:
First (RM1,500 and trophy), second (RM1,000 and trophy), third (RM700 and trophy), fourth (RM500 and trophy), fifth (RM300 and trophy), sixth to 10th (trophy)
25km category Prizes:
First (RM1,000 and trophy), second (RM600 and trophy), third (RM400 and trophy), fourth (RM300 and trophy), fifth (RM200 and trophy), sixth to 10th (trophy)
10km category prizes:
First (RM700 and trophy), second (RM400 and trophy), third (RM300 and trophy), fourth (RM200 and trophy), fifth (RM100 and trophy), sixth to 10th (trophy).