KOTA SAMARAHAN: A total of 2,800 participants from across Sarawak, West Malaysia and overseas took part in this year’s Hock Seng Lee (HSL) Samarahan Half Marathon.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah praised the initiative for promoting healthy lifestyles while contributing to the local tourism industry.
“This is a very healthy event. In some ways, it promotes healthy activities and also helps the tourism industry,” he said after officiating at the prize-giving ceremony held at La Promenade Mall, here today (May 16).
Abdul Karim, who is also Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP), said while the event is traditionally a full marathon, ongoing infrastructure developments required a temporary change to the format this year.
“This year they cannot do the full marathon because of so much road construction down here, so they just did the half marathon, and it was very successful,” he said.
HSL Realty director Yu Ji attributed the faster times recorded during the race to cooler weather conditions, stronger competition, and runners becoming more familiar with the Samarahan course.
“2025 was extremely hot and every runner suffered, from professionals to amateurs.
“This morning was cooler and everyone pushed harder from the start,” Yu Ji said.
He revealed that organisers are already looking ahead and planning to update the full marathon route next year to include the Sejingkat Bridge.
This year’s event offered a total prize pool of close to RM50,000.
In the men’s 21km category, Dennis Isika of Kenya emerged as the fastest runner after crossing the finish line in one hour, 16 minutes and 28 seconds, breaking the 2025 record of one hour, 20 minutes and 51 seconds set by Andy Yeo.
The women’s half marathon title was won by fellow Kenyan Abigael Jerop, who clocked one hour, 27 minutes and 26 seconds.
Meanwhile, the national category saw intense competition when Syahrullah Safri topped the national men’s half marathon field with a time of one hour, 16 minutes, and 31 seconds, while Jia Qi Chew won the national women’s division, clocking in at one hour, 33 minutes and 32 seconds.
HSL-sponsored athletes, including Sally Yap and members of Team Haolian also delivered strong performances, taking 13 spots in the 10 across various categories.
The HSL Samarahan Marathon, also known as #Samarathon, is jointly organised by HSL, City Joggers’ Club, and the Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS).
