A COUPLE have been having a love affair with the Penang Bridge International Marathon (PBIM) for the past several years.
So, it was with sweet memories when police officer Nur Amelia Musa, 33, and her husband, army man Nik Fakaruddin Ismail, 34, emerged as champions for the Malaysian Best Full Marathon in their respective categories.
“I have been participating in the run since 2010 in the women half marathon category except last year when I switched to full marathon. I did not take part in 2016 and 2017.
“This is my second time taking part in the full marathon category.
“I was quite well prepared for this year’s run, doing some gym work consistently,” said Amelia, who clocked a winning time of 3 hours 18 minutes and 51 seconds.
In last year’s race, Amelia bagged second place with a time of 3:24:57 behind Loh Chooi Fern, who timed 3:17:30.
For Nik Fakarrudin, this was his fourth straight title as the Malaysian champion in the Penang Bridge International Marathon (full marathon category).
He recorded 2 hours 40 minutes and 53 seconds to emerge tops among the local athletes.
Both husband and wife won the top prize of RM5,000 each for Malaysian full marathon category.
Aside from that, Nik Fakarrudin, a corporal attached with the Kem Pusat Cemerlang Olahraga Tentera Darat in Sungai Besi, and Amelia bagged RM1,000 each for finishing ninth overall and eighth overall in the Open marathon category.
In the Open category, Kenyan athletes dominated with Moses Kiptoo Kurgat winning the men’s full marathon in 2:20:05 while compatriot Peninah Kigen took the women’s event in 2:51:50.
The weather was favourable for this year’s PIBM 2019, allowing some 25,000 participants to have a smooth run this morning.
Participants from various categories, namely Full Marathon (5,000), Half Marathon (8,000) and 10km Run (more than 12,000), enjoyed a fine weather throughout their run unlike last year in which the 10km event was cancelled due to bad weather.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was the guest of honour, at the prize-giving ceremony, said the state government envisions in creating a healthy community.
“The event, which is organised by the state government, is aimed at fostering the values of determination, courage, respect, fairness, positivity, consistency and self-control,” Chow said during his speech at the event.
“I am sure those marathon runners would know that a marathon signifies life, it is about the never giving up attitude.
“I believe the annual PBIM has popularised long distance run as a fun and accessible sport for both amateur and professional runners in Penang as well as in the region,” said Chow, adding that long distance running is also a test of patience and perseverance.
One of the highlights of the PIBM 2019 was that participants from all categories were entitled to receive a finisher tee upon completing the run within the scheduled time.
Penang Tourism Development, Heritage, Culture and Arts Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, who was also present, shared that the Experience Penang Run 2020 run would take place on March 15.
“Experience Penang Run will be held for the first time with the aim of providing a truly fun-filled and family-oriented run, open to participation from six years old and above.
“This is in line with the aspirations of ‘Experience Penang Year 2020’, whereby we hope to share unique experiences of Penang to all,” Yeoh added.
Also present were PBIM 2019 ambassador Bernard Lagat, Penang Amateur Athletics Association president Datuk Syed Mohd Aidid Syed Murtaza, Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry Penang office director Jonathan Freddy P. Bagang, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng and Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi.
RESULTS
Full Marathon
Men’s Open: 1. Moses Kiptoo Kurgat (Kenya) 2:20:05, 2. James Tallam (Kenya) 2:22:34, 3. Stephen Mungathia Mugambi (Kenya) 2:26:35.
Women’s Open: 1. Peninah Kigen (Kenya) 2:51:50, 2. Edinah (Kenya) 2:53:14, 3. Chirchir Linah Jerop (Kenya) 2:55:08.
Malaysian Open:
Men :
1. Nik Fakaruddin Ismail (2:40:53), 2. Mohamad Helmi Azri Suhaimi (2:47:32), 3. M. Suresh (2:57:47).
Women :
1. Noor Amelia Musa (3:18:51), 2. Tho Siaw Khim (3:30:08), 3. Wong Mi-Chi (3:36:03).
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Nur Afiqah Zainudi
Video by Chan Kok Kuan