THE upcoming annual Penang Bridge International Marathon (PBIM) 2023, scheduled for early Sunday, is set to garner a high number of participants, with more than 20,000 runners expected to take part.
With two days to go before this prestigious event, excitement is building up as local and abroad runners are set to challenge their endurance during the race.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said this annual event plays a crucial role in promoting the state’s tourism and fostering a healthy lifestyle.
“Apart from challenging their fitness, PBIM 2023 allows runners to make their breakthroughs by achieving their personal best.
“This record will be considered to be a lifetime achievement, which can be shared among family and friends.
“The sense of accomplishment is beyond our feel and words cannot adequately describe the amazing moment when you cross the finish line,” Wong, an avid runner himself, told Buletin Mutiara.
Wong completed the Full Marathon category last year.
On whether he would be participating in the upcoming event, Wong said he would instead be coordinating PBIM 2023.
“I need to assist with the coordination to ensure the event proceeds smoothly. We are glad that we received an overwhelming response from the runners.
“For the Full Marathon category, we attract 3,800 runners, 7,750 for Half Marathon, and the remaining is 10km category,” he said.
Addressing traffic concerns during the event, Wong emphasised that the Penang Bridge would be closed from midnight until 10am on Dec 17.
The Full Marathon category will start at 1.30am, followed by the Half Marathon category at 3am, and 10km at 6.30am.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Law Suun Ting