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| SCKLM2018 FM Start |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
More than 38,000 runners celebrate 10th Anniversary of SCKLM
Cosmas successfully defends title
KUALA LUMPUR, 8 April 2018: More than 38,000 runners descended on Dataran Merdeka to take part in and celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon (SCKLM) today. SCKLM has firmly cemented its position as the premier running event in Malaysia and its popularity continues to grow, as evidenced by its race slots selling out in a day when public registrations opened.
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| SCKLM2018 Aerial View |
Cosmas Matolo Muteti, from Kenya won the Full Marathon Men’s Open category for the second year running, successfully defending his title in a time of 2:16:47 to take home USD17,500 while the Full Marathon Women’s Open category was won by Elizabeth Chepkanan Rumokol from Kenya in a time of 2:38:48 also earning USD17,500 in the process.
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| Full Marathon Open Champions: Elizabeth Chepkanan Rumokol and Cosmas Matolo Muteti |
Kiprop Tonui from Kenya came in second in the Full Marathon Men’s Open with a time of 2:17:13 while Kennedy Kiproo Lilan from Kenya finished third in a time of 2:18:44. In the Full Marathon Women’s Open, Nancy Joan Rotich from Kenya took second place in a time of 2:58:25 and Susan Merrie Swier from USA had to settle for third place with a time of 3:29:53.
The Full Marathon Malaysian Men’s category lived up to its pre-race billing as a hotly contested affair as Muhaizar, Leo Tan and Nik Fakaruddin were neck-to-neck for a large portion of the race. Muhaizar reaffirmed his superiority on home soil when he won his fourth consecutive title in a time of 2:37:04. Nik Fakaruddin finished second in 2:37:26 while Leo Tan Huong Leong came in third in a time of 2:38:48. The Full Marathon Malaysian Women’s category saw a brand new winner this year when Loh Chooi Fern won in a time of 3:18:44 while Yap Yee Ling clocked 3:30:13 to come in second and Yee Pei Ni got third place in a time of 03:32:26
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| Full Marathon Malaysian Champions: Loh Chooi Fern and Muhaizar |
FM Open winner Cosmas was delighted with his second consecutive Standard Chartered KL Marathon win. “This event is becoming quite special for me. My first was last year and I recorded a personal best when I won” Cosmas said. “This year the course was slightly different and more challenging but my training was good and I just kept to my game plan to stay ahead of the others and thankfully, I managed to win again,”
Muhaizar was also thrilled to have retained his title, especially after the intense competition with Nik Fakaruddin and Leo Tan. “It was a tough race especially as all three of us recently competed in the Tokyo marathon which has affected our preparations for the Standard Chartered KL Marathon,” he said. “Still, I’m very happy to have won the 10th Anniversary edition and my fourth title,” he continued.
Rainer Biemans, Project Director of SCKLM and Director of Dirigo Events, said “It has been an amazing couple of days at SCKLM2018 and we couldn’t be happier with the turn-out, which has been our biggest yet, befitting our 10th Anniversary celebrations. We sincerely hope that everyone had a wonderful time and that this 10th Anniversary meant as much to you as it has done for us at Dirigo, as well as for everyone else who had a hand in organising and executing this event.”
The Full and Half Marathon were flagged off by Khairul Anuar Bin Mhd Juri, Director of Culture, Tourism, Arts and Sports, DBKL, along with senior executives from title sponsor Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia, led by their Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Abrar. A. Anwar, amid showers of confetti and pumping music to celebrate the event’s 10th Anniversary.
“As title sponsor for the last 10 years, Standard Chartered Malaysia is proud to be celebrating the 10th Anniversary of SCKLM with its biggest event yet. It is heart-warming to see so many running enthusiasts from all over Malaysia and the world come together,” said Abrar.
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| SCKLM VIP Flagoff |
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| SCKLM2018 HM Flagoff |
Abrar who also took part in yesterday’s Friendship Run, was happy to see growing competitive spirit within the race. “While SCKLM is largely a community event, there is a significant competitive element to it with local runners vying to come out on top of their respective categories. This can only be good for the sport in Malaysia,” he added.
The community element of the event is symbolised by SCKLM’s charity programme called Run For A Reason (RFAR), which aims to raise funds for deserving charities that assist underprivileged communities and those in dire need. This year the participating beneficiaries are Seeing Is Believing, the National Cancer Society of Malaysia, Dignity for Children Foundation and Hospis Malaysia. Being SCKLM’s 10th Anniversary, participation in RFAR was extended to all SCKLM Pacers, as well as media participating in SCKLM’s Media Challenge, courtesy of Dirigo Events. “With our initiatives, the total number of RFAR runners have increased and we hope to make this 10th Anniversary even more memorable by raising more money than we ever have before,” said Rainer. Donations can still be made until the closing date on 30 April.
The cut-off time for the Full Marathon was extended to 7 hours and 15 minutes this year to compensate runners who have to start from the back, who would take almost 15 mins to get to the Start Line. The continuous efforts to make the marathon more competitive have been embraced by runners who signed up in unprecedented numbers for the Full Marathon, with over 10,000 signing up. There were also over 1,800 running tourists from 70 countries and 79 nationalities involved, making SCKLM a truly international event.
The 10th Anniversary celebrations in conjunction with SCKLM2018 began with the Friendship Run yesterday morning, where over 180 runners took part in a 5km run which ended with a carbo-loading pasta breakfast. The event was meant to be a warm-up run for those taking part in the Full Marathon, as well as an opportunity for runners from around the world to meet and forge friendships.
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| SCKLM2018 Friendship Run |
The Friendship Run was followed by the Kids Dash categories on Saturday evening, which was also a first for SCKLM. This year, the 1km and 3km Kids Dash categories took place a day before the main event so that these categories would have their own prominence rather than be overshadowed by all the other categories on Race Day. For the first time, the kids who took part in these categories got to start under the main SCKLM Arch at Dataran Merdeka, which was pretty exciting for them.
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| SCKLM2018 Kids Dash 3km Start |
The objective of the organisers this year was to give back as much as possible to its loyal runners in appreciation of their steadfast support of the event over the last 10 years. One particular group of runners were accorded the special honour of having participated in all 10 editions of SCKLM thus far. The SCKLM Juggernauts were able to choose customised bib numbers and personalised Race Entry Tees, and were hosted by title sponsor Standard Chartered Bank in their hospitality Marquee.
SCKLM’s 10th Anniversary celebrations also incorporated new routes for the Full and Half Marathons which took in more of KL’s iconic landmarks but remained as challenging as usual with its route undulations. The hilly stretch beginning from Km32 was especially gruelling for a lot of runners, who thankfully had SCKLM Pacers encouraging and motivating them all the way. One of these Pacers was Kin K. Yum, a regular Pacer for SCKLM who ran his 100th marathon today. “Today I’m truly ecstatic as looking back, I have covered approximately 4,518 kms spanning 26 countries in this running journey of mine,” said KK.
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| Runners Costumes with Kin K. Yum and Kelvin Ng as two of the SCKLM2018 pacers |
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| Runner's costume as Stormtrooper |
The award-winning SCKLM mobile App was also given a cool update that incorporated a new photo feature that enabled runners to download photos of them taken by strategic cameras along the routes. The Apps seamless social media connectivity then allowed runners to instantly post their memorable running moments on their preferred social media channels.
To commemorate SCKLM’s 10th Anniversary, the last finishers to approach the Finish Line were given a rousing end with confetti blasts and cheering spectators urging the runners home.
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| SCKLM2018 Last Finishers |
Apart from the Full and Half Marathons, the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2018 also featured a 10km distance and a 5km Fun Run for social runners. There were also several categories like the Corporate Challenge, Media Challenge, Universities Challenge and Ministries Challenge to either raise money for charity or provide friendly competition and confer bragging rights to the eventual winners.
The Standard Chartered KL Marathon has grown to become the premier running event in Malaysia, drawing thousands of local and international runners to the country whilst firmly establishing Malaysia in the global running calendar. The 2018 and 10th Anniversary edition of the race once again saw Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia returning as title sponsor, along with a host of returning sponsors, including Seiko, Brooks, Lucozade and Pacific Regency. The event is owned and organised by Dirigo Events with co-organiser Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur.
Standard Chartered KL Marathon is sanctioned and supported by the Malaysia Athletics Federation (MAF), Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur Athletic Federation (FTKLAA), International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and Association of International Marathons, Distance Races (AIMS).
Winners of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2018
Full Marathon Men’s Open
Position
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Name
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Country
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Time
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1st
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Cosmas Matolo Muteti
|
KEN
|
02:16:47
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2nd
|
Kiprop Tonui
|
KEN
|
02:17:13
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3rd
|
Kennedy Kiproo Lilan
|
KEN
|
02:18:44
|
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| Full Marathon Men's Open |
Full Marathon Women’s Open
Position
|
Name
|
Country
|
Time
|
1st
|
Elizabeth Chepkanan Rumokol
|
KEN
|
02:38:48
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2nd
|
Nancy Joan Rotich
|
KEN
|
02:58:25
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3rd
|
Susan Merrie Swier
|
USA
|
03:29:53
|
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| Full Marathon Women's Open |
Full Marathon Malaysian Men
Position
|
Name
|
Country
|
Time
|
1st
|
Muhaizar Mohamad
|
MAS
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02:37:04
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2nd
|
Nik Fakaruddin Bin Ismail
|
MAS
|
02:37:26
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3rd
|
Tan Huong Leong
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MAS
|
02:38:48
|
Full Marathon Malaysian Women
Position
|
Name
|
Country
|
Time
|
1st
|
Loh Chooi Fern
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MAS
|
03:18:44
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2nd
|
Yap Yee Ling
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MAS
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03:30:13
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3rd
|
Yee Pei Ni
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MAS
|
03:32:26
|
Full Marathon Veteran Men
Position
|
Name
|
Country
|
Time
|
1st
|
Ngare Joseph Mwangi
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KEN
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02:38:27
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2nd
|
Oriuchi Kazuaki
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JPN
|
02:48:35
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3rd
|
Izumisawa Naoto
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JPN
|
03:14:05
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Full Marathon Veteran Women
Position
|
Name
|
Country
|
Time
|
1st
|
Margaret Njuguna
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KEN
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03:14:12
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2nd
|
Ruri Wakamatsu
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JPN
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03:21:57
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3rd
|
Tallam Rebecca Jerotich
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KEN
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03:24:20
|
Half Marathon Men Open
Position
|
Name
|
Country
|
Time
|
1st
|
John Muiruri Mburu
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KEN
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01:07:10
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2nd
|
Maregu Jame Munyi
|
KEN
|
01:09:00
|
3rd
|
Stephen Mugambi
|
KEN
|
01:09:08
|
Half Marathon Women Open
Position
|
Name
|
Country
|
Time
|
1st
|
Ndiritu Monica Watetu
|
KEN
|
01:19:47
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2nd
|
Purity Jelimo Serem
|
KEN
|
01:24:59
|
3rd
|
Agnieszka Najnigier Pierzynowska
|
POL
|
01:37:34
|
Half Marathon Malaysian Women
Position
|
Name
|
Country
|
Time
|
1st
|
Sheela a/p Samivellu
|
MAS
|
01:25:28
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2nd
|
Chua Kit Yeng
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MAS
|
01:32:18
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3rd
|
Sangeetha Subramaniam
|
MAS
|
01:36:38
|
Half Marathon Men Veteran
Position
|
Name
|
Country
|
Time
|
1st
|
Benard Kiplangat Kibilo
|
KEN
|
01:11:30
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2nd
|
Mark John Williams
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GBR
|
01:25:54
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3rd
|
Joakim Larsen
|
DEN
|
01:29:37
|
Half Marathon Women Veteran
Position
|
Name
|
Country
|
Time
|
1st
|
Wong Mei Yue
|
MAS
|
01:55:57
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2nd
|
Julianna Mikyung Won
|
KOR
|
01:58:42
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3rd
|
Jrene Clerc
|
SUI
|
01:58:57
|
10km Speed Men Open
Position
|
Name
|
Country
|
Time
|
1st
|
Elly Kiptarbei Yego
|
KEN
|
00:32:49
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2nd
|
Soh Wai Ching
|
MAS
|
00:33:38
|
3rd
|
Sivaneshwaran A/L Gunasegaran
|
MAS
|
00:35:42
|
10km Speed Women Open
Position
|
Name
|
Country
|
Time
|
1st
|
Joshua Kegina
|
KEN
|
00:36:10
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2nd
|
Danielle Nant
|
NZL
|
00:41:46
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3rd
|
Janice Loh Yinjin
|
MAS
|
00:42:26
|
10km Speed Men Veteran
Position
|
Name
|
Country
|
Time
|
1st
|
Jeffrey Ross
|
GBR
|
00:36:16
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2nd
|
Suresh A/L Muniandy
|
MAS
|
00:36:27
|
3rd
|
Lim Khon Seng
|
MAS
|
00:37:54
|
10km Speed Women Veteran
Position
|
Name
|
Country
|
Time
|
1st
|
Susan Khoo
|
GBR
|
00:44:43
|
2nd
|
Karen Geh Cheng Hoon
|
MAS
|
00:46:17
|
3rd
|
Rachel Ellen Pepper
|
NZL
|
00:46:33
|
For more information and updates on SCKLM, please visit:
Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/SCKLmarathon
Twitter : www.twitter.com/SCKLmarathon
Instagram : https://instagram.com/SCKLmarathon
Website : www.kl-marathon.com
For more information, please contact:
Suthan Narayanan | 03.7887.4717 | suthan@dirigo.com.my
For more information on Standard Chartered KL Marathon:
Gloria Ng | 603.7887.4717 | gloria.ng@dirigo.com.my
For more information on Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad:
Jennifer Kang | 03.2117.7770 | jennifer.kang@sc.com
Geraldine Tan | 03.2117.7821 | geraldine.tan@sc.com
### End ###
About the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2018
Back for the 10th year, the Standard Chartered KL Marathon takes place on Sunday, 8 April 2018. The marathon, owned and organised by Dirigo Events, will see participation from more than 38,000 runners, ranging from elite athletes to first-time distance runners. A truly international event, the Standard Chartered KL Marathon boasts participants from all over Malaysia and over 70 countries. The Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2018 remains Malaysia’s premier running event with top runners competing for a total of USD 125,000 in prize money.
For more information on the Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon, please log onto: http://www.kl-marathon.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/SCKLmarathon.
About Standard Chartered
We are a leading international banking group, with around 84,000 employees and a 150-year history in some of the world’s most dynamic markets. We bank the people and companies driving investment, trade and the creation of wealth across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, Here for good. Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges as well as the Bombay and National Stock Exchanges in India. For more information please visit www.sc.com. Explore our insights and comment on our blog, BeyondBorders. Follow Standard Chartered on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
About Standard Chartered in Malaysia
Standard Chartered Bank, a member of the Standard Chartered Group was established in Malaysia in 1875 and incorporated as Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad in 1984. As Malaysia’s first bank, Standard Chartered leads the way through product innovation, consistent and strong growth performance and sustainability initiatives. The Bank provides a comprehensive range of financial products and services to corporates, institutions, small and medium-sized enterprises and individuals through its network of branches across Malaysia.
In 2001, Standard Chartered PLC established its third global technology & operations centre, Standard Chartered Global Business Services (formerly Scope International) in Malaysia – the first international bank to do so in the country. It provides software development, banking operations, IT support services and customer service capabilities to the Bank in up to 70 countries. It now houses the biggest software development company in the country, International Software Centre Malaysia (ISCM) and has a total workforce of more than 4,500 people.
Price Solutions Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Standard Chartered PLC is also located in Malaysia. The company promotes and markets Standard Chartered’s financial products in Malaysia through a network of direct sales agents.
Standard Chartered Saadiq Berhad (Saadiq), Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia’s Islamic Banking subsidiary was established in November 2008. It offers a full suite of Syariah-compliant products and services to individuals and corporates through its dedicated branches.
Standard Chartered employs over 7,000 employees in all its Malaysian operations.
About Dirigo Events
The Standard Chartered KL Marathon is owned by Dirigo Events Sdn. Bhd, an award-winning event management company founded in 2011 by Rainer Biemans and Gloria Ng. The event not only draws a large number of Malaysian runners, but attracts runners from more than 70 countries around the world. Rainer Biemans and Gloria Ng have a combined experience of over 48 years in executing and creating world-class and impactful events for international clients around the world such as Europe, Brunei, India and Singapore.
Apart from owning the Standard Chartered KL Marathon, Dirigo also organises the Bursa Bull Charge and provides operational services for other mass participation events.
For more information on Dirigo Events, please contact +603 7887 1717 or email dirigo@dirigo.com.my
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