KOTA SAMARAHAN, May 12 (Bernama) -- The Samarahan Marathon needs to become an annual event as it is able to attract runners from various countries, Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performance Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said.
He urged the organiser to apply to the Association of International Marathon (AIM) so that the event can be an annual event, adding that the state currently has two marathons, the Kuching Marathon and the Miri Marathon.
"I think this (Samarahan Marathon) can be accepted as it’s well organised and well supported by many long-distance running fans.
“I salute them for being able to organise the event without government aid,” he said after the prize presentation ceremony here today, adding that if the marathon was recognised by AIM, his ministry could help financially as well as with its organising.
Meanwhile, the marathon organiser, Hock Seng Lee (HSL) Berhad said in a statement that the inaugural run, with men’s women’s, open and veteran category races for distances of 10 kilometres (km), 21 km and 42 km as well as total prizes worth RM60,000, managed to attract over 2,000 runners from countries such as Singapore, Brunei and Africa.
Kenyan Lukas Muteti emerged as champion with a time of 02:42:47 for the men’s category while Dorcas Tarus won the women’s category.
-- BERNAMA
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