Jump to content

Penang Bridge International Marathon

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Penang Bridge International Marathon
Penang Bridge at sunrise
DateNovember or December
LocationPenang, Malaysia
Event typeRoad (mostly on a bridge)
DistanceMarathon
Established1984 (41 years ago) (1984)[a]
Course recordsMen: 2:19:47.1 (2014)
Kenya Alex Melly
Women: 2:46:44.9 (2017)
Kenya Margaret Wangui
Official sitePenang Bridge Marathon
Participants25,000 (all races) (2019)[1]

The Penang Bridge International Marathon (Malay: Maraton Antarabangsa Jambatan Pulau Pinang) or Penang Bridge Marathon is an annual marathon event held at Penang Bridge in Penang, Malaysia, since 1984.[a] It is organised by Penang State Tourism Development office (PETACH) and fully supported by the Penang State Government. It is known as the biggest run in the country.[citation needed] During the competition, participants run over the bridge and along a scenic coastal highway.[3]

History

[edit]

The event started in 1984[a] as a road race from Esplanade to Gurney Drive. With the completion of Penang Bridge in 1985, it is usually held there in late November annually since 1986, with the exception of 2014 and 2024 when the events were held at Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge which is also known as the Penang Second Bridge.[3] The 2014 edition began in Batu Maung, while the 2024 edition began in Batu Kawan.

In 2006, after a break for a number of years, the Penang Bridge International Marathon was revived as "a combination" of the Penang International Marathon, which was last held in 1999, and the Penang Bridge Run, which had been held from 1992 to 2003.[5]

In 2020, the competition was rebranded with the introduction of the new logo as well as the tagline "The Asian Challenge", reflecting the vision of making it into an internationally acknowledged marathon run event.[6]

Controversies

[edit]

In 2016, the event was rescheduled in order to accommodate requests from the parents of schoolchildren, causing trouble for runners who had already booked flights for the race.[7]

In 2017, there were a number of issues, including issuing shirts of incorrect sizes, running out of water, handing out expired chocolate bars, delaying the reporting of results,[b] and denying some podium finishers an onstage presentation.[c][8][7][9] In addition, some runners waited for two hours for finisher medals, and over three hours for food.[8][9]

Cancellations

[edit]

In 2018, the 10k race was cancelled for the first time "due to heavy rain and lightning", with all registered runners given finisher medals as a consolation.[10][d]

The 2020 in-person edition of the race was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, with all entries automatically transferred to 2021, and all registrants given the option of transferring their entry to another runner.[11][12]

Course

[edit]
External image
image icon Course map of full marathon in 2019[13]

The current version of the marathon, for most of the time since 2008, runs on a loop course that begins and ends at the outdoor car park of the Queensbay Mall.[13][14]

The course first enters Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, which runs along the eastern coast of Penang Island, with runners first running south and then back up north before turning back south to cross the 13.5 km (8.4 mi) bridge.[13][4] Shortly after crossing the bridge, runners turn around in Perai and run across the bridge again, before heading south to finish back at the Queensbay Mall.[13]

Year Bridge Start Finish Turning point
2003; 2006–2007 Penang Bridge Gelugor National Type Primary School[15][16][17] Universiti Sains Malaysia Main Campus, Gelugor Perai
2008–2013; 2015–2023 Penang Bridge Queensbay Mall, Bayan Lepas Perai
2014 Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge Batu Maung Interchange Ground, Batu Maung Batu Kawan
2024 Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge ASPEN Vision City, Batu Kawan Batu Maung

Other races

[edit]

The Penang Bridge International Marathon also incorporates a half-marathon event and a 10-km run event. The competition also had a fun run event which was introduced in 2007, but it was removed in 2018 as part of rebranding exercise.[18]

Winners

[edit]

Open category

[edit]

Key:    Course record

Year Men's winner Time[e] Women's winner Time[e] Rf.
1984  Budd Coates (USA) 2:29:59  Leslie Watson (GBR) 3:02:43 [2]
1985  Hiroaki Oyagi (JPN) 2:27:52  Fung-fan Wong (HKG) 3:01:08 [2]
1986  Shin Yen-ho (TPE) 2:28:14  Satsuko Hanafusa (JPN) 2:58:00 [2]
1987  Jimmy de la Torre (PHI) 2:29:52  Satsuko Hanafusa (JPN) 2:54:58 [2]
1988  Doug Kurtis (USA) 2:29:40  Satsuko Hanafusa (JPN) 3:10:24 [2]
1989  Amaram Raman (MYS) 2:35:09  Sunita Godara (IND) 3:03:02 [2]
1990  Trevor Scott (AUS) 2:34:13  Sunita Godara (IND) 3:00:56 [2]
1991  Hsu Gi-sheng (TPE) 2:29:29  Sunita Godara (IND) 3:01:29 [2]
1992  Trevor Scott (AUS) 2:31:15  Sunita Godara (IND) 2:55:06 [2]
1993  Daniel Shungea (KEN) 2:26:12  Karen Moir (AUS) 2:55:12 [2]
1994  Daniel Shungea (KEN) 2:28:59  Franca Fiacconi (ITA) 2:56:49 [2]
— not held from 1995 to 2002[f]
8 June 2003  John Kelai (KEN) 2:29:56  Yuan Yufang (MYS) 3:09:19 [19]
— not held from 2004 to 2005 [5]
30 July 2006  Samuel Tarus (KEN) 2:37:11  Devamani Sothie (MYS) 3:21:02
24 June 2007  Sammy Kurgat (KEN) 2:26:00  Devamani Sothie (MYS) 3:16:02
16 November 2008  Benjamin Metto (KEN) 2:24:50  Doris Chepchumba (KEN) 3:14:04
22 November 2009  Kennedy Melly (KEN) 2:23:55  Doris Chepchumba (KEN) 3:08:37
21 November 2010  Alex Melly (KEN) 2:24:30  Rose Chesire (KEN) 2:59:14 [2]
20 November 2011  Charles Kigen (KEN) 2:21:56.9  Margaret Wangui (KEN) 3:06:38.6 [2]
18 November 2012  Isaac Kimaiyo (KEN) 2:31:02  Monika Fischer (GER) 3:25:10 [2]
17 November 2013  James Cherutich (KEN) 2:24:42.8  Naomi Wangui (KEN) 2:53:03.7 [2]
16 November 2014  Alex Melly (KEN) 2:19:47.1  Fridah Lodepa (KEN) 3:04:09.6 [20][21]
22 November 2015  Julius Seurei (KEN) 2:22:04.9  Fridah Lodepa (KEN) 2:47:46.2 [20][22]
27 November 2016  Bernard Muthoni (KEN) 2:27:42.0  Margaret Wangui (KEN) 2:53:07.3 [20][23]
26 November 2017  Josphat Too (KEN) 2:23:30.2  Margaret Wangui (KEN) 2:46:44.9 [20][23]
25 November 2018  James Tallam (KEN) 2:24:22.0  Peninah Kigen (KEN) 2:46:52.9 [20][24]
24 November 2019  Moses Kiptoo (KEN) 2:20:05  Peninah Kigen (KEN) 2:51:50 [25]
– Cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic from 2020 to 2021 [11]
11 December 2022  Geoffrey Birgen (KEN) 2:14:35  Peninah Kigen (KEN) 2:46:07 [26]
17 December 2023  Anderson Saitoti Seroi (KEN) 2:18:43  Truphena Chepchirchir (KEN) 2:44:41 [27]
15 December 2024  Moses Mbugua Gaikarira (KEN) 2:18:34  Rita Jeptoo Busienei (KEN) 2:40:01 [28]

Veteran category

[edit]
Date Men's winner Time (h:m:s) Women's winner Time (h:m:s) Ref
16 November 2008  Lautredoux Jean-Pierre (FRA) 2:40:06 Not contested
22 November 2009  Lautredoux Jean-Pierre (FRA) 2:35:26 Not contested
21 November 2010  Phillip Chirchir Lagat (KEN) 2:45:36 Not contested
20 November 2011  Phillip Chirchir Lagat (KEN) 2:45:27 Not contested
18 November 2012  Phillip Chirchir Lagat (KEN) 2:58:07  Monika Fischer (GER) 3:25:10
17 November 2013  Phillip Chirchir Lagat (KEN) 2:50:55  Deborah Chinn (USA) 3:23:20
16 November 2014  Julius Rotich (KEN) 2:38:01  Margaret Njuguna (KEN) 2:58:41
22 November 2015  Caleb Chemweno (KEN) 2:30:07  Margaret Njuguna (KEN) 3:08:06
27 November 2016  Hillary Koech (KEN) 2:33:36  Yuan Yu Fang (MAS) 3:25:45 [29]
26 November 2017  Joseph Mwangi Ngare (KEN) 2:30:45  Julia Wangui Njari (KEN) 3:00:10 [30]
25 November 2018  Joseph Mwangi Ngare (KEN) 2:34:37  Julia Wangui Njari (KEN) 2:58:30 [31]
24 November 2019  Joseph Mwangi Ngare (KEN) 2:29:58  Margaret Njuguna (KEN) 2:52:19 [32]
– Cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic from 2020 to 2021 [11]
11 December 2022  Joseph Mwangi Ngare (KEN) 2:28:29  Margaret Njuguna (KEN) 2:58:30 [33]
17 December 2023  Joseph Mwangi Ngare (KEN) 2:24:16  Jane Wanjiru Muriuki (KEN) 2:58:23
15 December 2024  Geoffrey Birgen (KEN) 2:24:31  Mercy Jelimo Too (KEN) 2:59:06 [34]

Malaysian category

[edit]
Date Men's winner Time (h:m:s) Women's winner Time (h:m:s) Ref
20 November 2011 Shahruddin Hashim 2:54:46 Cheah Meei Meei 3:46:43
18 November 2012 Shahruddin Hashim 2:49:27 Ling Mee Eng 3:51:19
17 November 2013 Shahruddin Hashim 2:46:14 Ewe Bee Hong 3:45:12
16 November 2014 Fabian Osmond Daimon 2:47:03 Ng Sun Nee 3:38:12
22 November 2015 Muhaizar Mohammad 2:42:48 Loh Chooi Fern 3:29:16
27 November 2016 Nik Fakaruddin Ismail 2:40:03 Yuan Yu Fang 3:25:45
26 November 2017 Nik Fakaruddin Ismail 2:43:34 Loh Chooi Fern 3:28:14
25 November 2018 Nik Fakaruddin Ismail 2:45:54 Loh Chooi Fern 3:17:30
24 November 2019 Nik Fakaruddin Ismail 2:40:53 Noor Amelia Musa 3:18:51
– Cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic from 2020 to 2021 [11]
11 December 2022 Poo Vasanthan Subramaniam 2:37:59 Noor Amelia Musa 3:16:21 [35]
17 December 2023 Nik Fakaruddin Ismail 2:43:57 Noor Amelia Musa 3:14:36
15 December 2024 Muhamad Haziq Hamzah 2:46:19 Tiffany Lee Siok Chin 3:09:06

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c The Association of Road Racing Statisticians believes 1982 was the inaugural year, but does not have any details regarding the winners of that year.[2] Also, the first time the run was held on the bridge was 1986, since the bridge was completed in 1985.[3][4]
  2. ^ Runners complained that full results had not been posted by evening, with one runner complaining that the results had incorrectly stated that the runner had "withdrawn during [the] race".[8][7]
  3. ^ One 17-year-old girl, who placed second in her category, was left "sob[bing] uncontrollably" when she learned that she had to collect her prize at a booth.[9]
  4. ^ Yeoh Soon Hin, the organizing chairman, stated that the 10k race could not be postponed as the bridge had to be reopened by a certain time.[10] The full and half marathons, however, had begun hours earlier.[10]
  5. ^ a b h:m:s
  6. ^ The Star reports that the Penang International Marathon was held until 1999 and the Penang Bridge Run was held until 2003.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Penang Bridge International Marathon 2019 attracts 25,000 runners".
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Penang Marathon".
  3. ^ a b c "About - Penang Marathon".
  4. ^ a b "Penang Bridge turns 25 this year".
  5. ^ a b c "Bridge run returns as marathon event".
  6. ^ "Launching of new logo for Penang Bridge International Marathon". Penang Bridge International Marathon.
  7. ^ a b c "Handling of Penang Bridge International Marathon continues to draw flak | New Straits Times". 29 November 2017.
  8. ^ a b c "Penang Bridge marathon continues to draw flak, participants vent anger on Facebook | New Straits Times". 28 November 2017.
  9. ^ a b c Nambiar, Predeep (27 November 2017). "Penang Bridge run 'sia-sui', runners complain as medals run out". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  10. ^ a b c "Kenyans dominate Penang Bridge Marathon; 10km category axed over rain | New Straits Times". 25 November 2018.
  11. ^ a b c d "Penang Bridge International Marathon Turns Virtual".
  12. ^ "Exco: Penang cancelling year-end activities, celebrations | Malay Mail". 5 September 2020.
  13. ^ a b c d "Site Map & Route Map". Archived from the original on 19 October 2019.
  14. ^ "Full Marathon (42.195 km)".
  15. ^ "Penang Bridge International Marathon 2003 Route".
  16. ^ "Penang Bridge International Marathon 2006 Route".
  17. ^ "Penang Bridge International Marathon 2007 Route".
  18. ^ "No more fun run for Penang bridge marathon".
  19. ^ "Malaysian Yufang and Kenyan Kelai come out tops".
  20. ^ a b c d e https://web.archive.org/web/20200908231251/https://www.penangmarathon.gov.my/portal/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Marathon-2019-guidebook-web.pdf
  21. ^ "Kenyans in top form".
  22. ^ "Fridah Chepkite LODEPA | Profile | World Athletics".
  23. ^ a b "ARRS - Runner: Margaret Wangui Njuguna".
  24. ^ "Runners weather the storm".
  25. ^ "Married couple wins 2019 Penang Bridge Int'l full marathon | New Straits Times". 24 November 2019.
  26. ^ "Kenyans complete clean sweep as Penang Bridge International Marathon returns after two-year hiatus". Malay Mail. Bernama. 11 December 2022.
  27. ^ "A sea of determination". Buletin Mutiara. 17 December 2023.
  28. ^ "PBIM 2024: A milestone in Penang's global sports tourism journey". Buletin Mutiara. 15 December 2024.
  29. ^ "TOP 10 Result 2016".
  30. ^ "TOP 10 Result 2017".
  31. ^ "TOP 10 Result 2018".
  32. ^ "TOP 10 Result 2019".
  33. ^ "TOP 10 Result 2022".
  34. ^ "TRACX - PETACE Penang Bridge International Marathon 2024".
  35. ^ "Setting a higher dream for Penang Bridge International Marathon". Buletin Mutiara. 11 December 2022.
[edit]
Retrieved from "http://en.wiki.x.io/w/index.php?title=Penang_Bridge_International_Marathon&oldid=1275368071"