KUCHING: HSL Berhad is doubling down on community fitness initiatives this year, launching East Malaysia’s first Ekiden-style relay race alongside its popular annual marathon.
The announcement was made today (Feb 13) in a press conference by HSL Realty’s Director, Yu Ji, who has been working with event partner, City Jogger’s Club (CJC) Kuching, for the past four years to expand the state’s running calendar.
The new Raya Relay Race, scheduled for March 27 to 28, will complement the fifth HSL Samarahan Marathon on May 15 to 16, both taking place at La Promenade Mall in Kota Samarahan.
Modelled after Japan’s traditional New Year relay races, the Raya Relay challenges teams of five runners to complete a 15-kilometre circuit, with each runner tackling a 3-kilometre loop within the promenade area.
Limited to 100 teams at RM150 each, the event offers competitive and non-competitive categories.
A member of Sarawak’s elite running group, Team Haolian, Andy Yeo looks forward to the event.
“We’ve been pushing HSL to host an Ekiden for several years now.
“This is the only Ekiden in East Malaysia. It’s going to be exciting. A relay is a team effort, and it’s always full of adrenaline and fun,” he said.
Yeo, an HSL-sponsored athlete who ranks 30th nationally in marathon standings, helped design the competitive category format.
Teams in the competitive division must include either two females or three males, with a woman taking the first leg. The fastest team claims victory and a share of the prize pool.
“We want to continue promoting health, tourism, fitness and community events in Sarawak.
“The Ekiden format is extremely popular in Japan, and we’re excited to bring it to East Malaysia for the first time,” said Yu Ji.
The Samarahan Marathon has built a reputation as one of the region’s fastest and flattest courses, attracting elite runners, including Sally Yap, Dr Owen Tan and twin brothers Syahrullah and Hazarullah Safri.
This year’s marathon offers four distance categories: 21km, 10km, 6km, and 3km.
Entry fees range from RM55 for the 3-kilometre fun run to RM110 for the half-marathon.
HSL is offering RM50,000 in total cash prizes across both events, plus Best Dressed awards and discount codes for relay participants who register for the marathon.
HSL’s marketing and communication lead, Abraham Tiong said the pricing strategy aims to stand out in a crowded running calendar.
“There are so many runs these days, and to stand out, HSL is subsidising the cost to ensure our rates are the cheapest whilst still offering cash prizes,” he explained.
Responding to popular demand, this year’s marathon features a Malaysia-only prize category alongside the open category, ensuring local runners can win prizes even when competing against elite international athletes from Kenya, Singapore, Korea, Indonesia, China, Japan and the Netherlands.
The 6km and 3km categories will be held entirely within the promenade, whilst longer distances will utilise the newly resurfaced Tanjong Bako Road, avoiding ongoing ART construction along the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway.
The full 42-kilometre marathon has been excluded this year due to construction, with HSL exploring alternative routes via the Sejingkat Bridge for 2027.
Race kit collection will be available at the main venue at HSL sales gallery at Samarahan and another venue at Kuching to ease the collection process for Kuching residents.
The entire route has been resurfaced and streetlights repaired through collaboration between HSL, Kota Samarahan Municipal Council and the Public Works Department.
As of the press conference, 900 runners have registered for the marathon, with organisers targeting 3,000 participants.
The Ekiden has attracted 40 teams, where registration rates are outpacing last year’s figures.
Kota Samarahan Municipal Council Chairman, Abang Ismawi Abang Ali. praised HSL’s commitment to these events.
“This will be HSL’s fifth running festival since 2021 and every edition gets better.
“The council is particularly pleased with HSL’s close collaboration with the Red Crescent in ensuring every year’s safety is improved,” he said.
Hotel partners, Rume Hotel and Citadines Uplands Kuching, are offering special discounts and race-day transportation, whilst sponsors Red Bull, Milo and 100 Plus will provide refreshments for attendees.
This year’s theme features a retro game concept merged with the Year of the Horse, reflected in the medal and T-shirt designs.
The marathon will begin with staggered start times: 21 km at 4 am, 10 km at 5 am, 6 km at 6.30 am, and 3 km at 7 am.
The prize-giving ceremony is scheduled for 8.30 am.
