Full Marathon No. 40
Event Name: KL Marathon 2025 (KLSCM 2025)
Event Date: October 5, 2025
Distance: 42 km full marathon
Running Shoe: ASICS Novablast 5
Watch: Coros Pace 3
Net Time: 4 hours 12 minutes 27 seconds
Reason for running at KLSCM 2025 (Stadium Merdeka as finish venue)
Prior to this, I have completed 7 full marathons and 2 half marathons at KL Marathon since 2011.
My last participation was 3 years ago in 2022.
The reason I decided to participate in my 8th full marathon at KL Marathon this year was because of Stadium Merdeka being the finish venue.
In fact, this was the first time KL Marathon shifted its finish venue from Dataran Merdeka to Stadium Merdeka due to the ongoing renovation at Dataran Merdeka.
I thought, "How awesome and exhilarating it would be to finish a full marathon inside Stadium Merdeka. It would be a memorable running experience!"
Here is the 42 km route map:
Running in the heart of Kuala Lumpur (1st 10 km)
Starting at 3.30 am from Jalan Raja Laut near SOGO, we ran within the heart of KL for the first 10 km passing through KL skyscrapers and iconic landmarks Bukit Bintang and KLCC.
It was a hot and humid early morning. I noticed many runners including myself were already soaking wet with sweats standing at the start line.
As in any other previous races after covid pandemic, my strategy was to follow 4:00 hour pacers as far as possible. Only after I couldn't keep up with them that I would then run at my own pace for the remaining distance.
I started at Pen 3. I had a tough time catching up with 4:00 hour pacers due to human congestion and traffic. I tried my best to chase after 4:00 hour pacers until KM10 but they were still out of my sight. I finally gave up! After all, in my previous races, I could only keep up with 4:00 hour pacers until KM21; and I was on my own after that.
Therefore, I decided to change my running strategy to just run by feel, at my own pace, without the pressure and rush to finish in a good time. That turned out to be a liberated decision! My pressure was lifted, my shoulder was light, and I could enjoy the run even more.
"Yes! Run by feel all the way to Stadium Merdeka!"
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| Bukit Bintang |
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| Bukit Bintang |
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| I think around Jalan Ampang area |
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| Probably at Jalan Sultan Ismail |
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| Jalan Sultan Ismail |
DUKE and AKLEH Highways
Elevated highways are usually very challenging to run: boring and full of rolling hills. But as strange as it might sound, I somehow was glad to leave behind the humid and stuffy KL city, running onto elevated DUKE and AKLEH highways.
The air was cooler; road was wider; noise pollution was less; and I felt liberated running at closed highways. I could have more "me" time in my own running zone without the human congestion!
In fact, I throughly enjoyed the highway stretches - until I "hit the wall".
Oh well, who doesn't "hit the wall" running a full marathon, right? It's just part of the running journey!
I was glad though - because I hit the wall at KM36 instead of the usual KM30.
The delicious cendol drinks helped to crunch my thirst! The rub of counter pain on my thighs helped to numb my sore legs! The bananas helped to keep my from going bananas!
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| Feeling free and happy with a spacious runway despite rolling hills and boring route. I enjoyed it! |
Jalan Kuching
I couldn't quite remember at which kilo meter 42km runners joined together with 21km runners. I think around KM38? Despite getting more crowded at the route (as some 21km runners were walking), I enjoyed their presence nonetheless after spending 28 km of "me time" at DUKE / AKLEH highways.
I remember my most favourite sports brand ASICS had an awesome cheering team, shouting and screaming, encouraging runners. There was even a high school drum team, drumming upbeat energetic beats! Incredible!
As I ran closer to Stadium Merdeka, the beautiful morning rising sun shone on my sweaty face and body.
And the view of Merdeka 118 from elevated bridge near Selangor Club was breathtaking! My body fatigue was slowly fading away, and I was starting to smile more while running!
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| Stadium Merdeka - here I come! |
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| The thumb was for the photographer, not for me! lol! |
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| Most runners tried to run near photographers for some awesome shots! I decided to march on... |
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| I admire this runner... |
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| I was her photo bomb in this photo. |
Nearing Stadium Merdeka
With about 1km to go nearing Stadium Merdeka, the supporting cheering crowd went wild!
Some put up encouraging signboards; some cheered at the top of their lungs; some played upbeat music; and some danced too. I could see their smiles!
Some supporters got overly excited that they stood and blocked runners' way. For a certain stretch, the two lane runway turned into a narrow one lane runway.
Oh well! Did I mind? Not at all. I was already quite tired by then. I was not bothered by the narrow running path.
In fact, I was truly grateful for the cheering supporters for creating such an electrifying and mesmerising the running atmosphere!
You could see from the photos below - I just chilled! I was overjoyed! I was smiling!
The joy of running and the joy of seeing supporters cheering us took away runners' tiredness.
Knowing I would soon cross finish line inside Stadium Merdeka gave me the double energy boost and release even more happy hormones!
Yes, I should smile and be happy entering Stadium Merdeka!
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| Smiling with the cheering supporters! |
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| Yay! Just less than 1km, I would be in Stadium Merdeka |
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| Even uphill, I was still running and smiling. |
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| In life, despite uphills, we still could smile. |
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| Look! After u-turn in front, it would be entering Stadium Merdeka |
Crossing 42km Finish Line in Stadium Merdeka
Running into a stadium and finishing a 42km marathon was a memorable experience! And this was the reason I signed up for KLSCM this year.
I was overwhelmed by emotions and joy as I entered the stadium. Not because of achieving personal best time or anything like that, but because of the awesome stadium experience!
Seeing supporters and runners all inside one stadium melted my heart.
I could feel that everyone inside the stadium carried the same spirit, same mind.
Running brought all of us together!
Stadium Merdeka amplified that running spirit and mind!
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| Running on the running track inside Stadium Merdeka felt so cool! |
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| Just by looking at this photo, I relived the experience and I could see a smile on my face now! |
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| For the last dash! I felt like an Olympics athlete! haha! |
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| Yay! We all did it! We all beat the yesterday's versions of ourselves! |
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| Stopping my Coros Pace 3 watch after crossing finish line! |
Merdeka 118
I have always wanted to take a photo with Merdeka 118 in running attire. I tried to jump for joy for the photo. But my legs were too sore to jump. Anyway, I was very happy to have 2 shots for memory!
Beautiful Stadium Merdeka with runners
One spirit, one mind - togetherness inside the Stadium Merdeka! So awesome!
Finisher's medal, t-shirt, goodie bag
Finisher medal is beautiful. My 40th full marathon medal! Yay!
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| Race Pack |
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| Finisher goodies. |
Race result? It's only for my running record and memory nowadays.
I no longer chase after personal best times. I accept the fact that I'm way over my running peak years.
But I still train hard - because I try to keep myself as healthy as possible.
Nowadays, I run to feel happy and healthy.
I'm simply feeling grateful that I can still run at my current age.
I don't know how many more years I can still run.
But I truly love running.
And I hope to run as long as I can.
KLSCM participation history
Should I continue to run 2 more full marathons to reach 10 at KLSCM? (wink!)
My running journey / milestone
Race Milestone: Click here
Credit: Thank you to all the wonderful professional photographers for capturing all the memorable running moments! We appreciate you!
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