BINTULU: Kenyan long-distance runners once again showcased their dominance in marathon by sweeping nearly all top positions in the 42KM Open and Veteran Men’s categories at the 2025 Bintulu Marathon held yesterday.
In the 42KM Men’s Open category, Ethiopian runner Tariku Abdi claimed a stylish victory with the fastest time of 2 hours, 24 minutes, and 23 seconds (2:24:23), ahead of main contender Kennedy Llan from Kenya, who finished in 2:25:38. Third place also went to a Kenyan runner, Joseph Mwangi Ngare, who clocked 2:28:01.
Kenyan athletes continued to dominate in the 42KM Men’s Veteran category, with Hosea Kogei taking first place in 2:30:20. He was followed by Samson Karesge Kamau (2:33:46) and Martin Onesmus (2:38:01).
The Kenyan dominance extended to the 42KM Women’s Open category, as Alice Koigi and Purity Jelimo Serem led the race with times of 2:54:33, and 2:59:39, respectively. Ethiopian runner Yesheemeebet Nguse took third place with 3:15:21.
In the 42KM Women’s Veteran category, Susan Jemutai Kosgei and Mercy Jelimo Too, both from Kenya, secured first and second places with times of 2:59:39 and 3:08:19, respectively. Malaysia’s Tiffany Lee Siok Chin finished third in 3:15:22.
In the 21KM Men’s Open half marathon, Kenyan runner James Kahura emerged champion with a time of 1:15:33, defeating compatriot Hillary Kipchumba Kmutai, who finished in 1:16:42. Third place went to Malaysian runner Ahmad Sayuti Abu Khuzafah with 1:17:04.
In the 21KM Men’s Veteran category, local runner Amirullah Bambang triumphed with a time of 1:25:16, ahead of Ling Tai Ming (1:28:29) and Yeo Khang Chuan (1:28:35).
In the 21KM Women’s Open category, Yu Hui Khing took first place, followed by Teck Bing Luk and Bong Siat Nyuk. In the 21KM Women’s Veteran category, Tho Siaw Khim, Lim Siet Fah, and Yunizer Suhaili finished first, second, and third, respectively.
In the 21KM Sarawakian Men’s category, Hazarullah Safri took the top spot, followed by Andy Yeo Jia Wei and Mohammad Ikmal. In the women’s category, Rwck Bing Luk emerged champion, with Bong Siat Nyuk and Tho Siaw Khim in second and third place.
In the 10KM Men’s Open category, Ruzaini Mahadi from Brunei Darussalam clinched first place with a time of 36 minutes and 31 seconds (36:31). Alif Zaini came second (38:54), and Benny Hu Jian Chun finished third (39:53).
Hii Win Nie dominated the 10KM Women’s Open category, finishing in 45:20 seconds, followed by Nur Hazwani Julaini (52:20) and Norassikin Junaidi (57:07).
Prizes were presented by Sarawak Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, accompanied by Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) general manager Datuk Muhammad Yakup Kari, Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad Group CEO and president Ruslan Abdul Ghani, and Bintulu Division deputy resident Abang Zainuddin Abang Turkey.
A total of 8,951 runners participated in the Bintulu Marathon 2025, jointly organised by BDA and the Bintulu Division Resident’s Office, with strategic partner Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd.
This year’s edition featured a unique highlight as the running route crossed the newly inaugurated Tun Taib Mahmud Bridge, officially launched by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on July 23.
