THE Penang Bridge International Marathon (PBIM) Virtual Run 2021, which is open for registration from Oct 22, will feature brand-new challenges and conventional marathon categories.
State executive councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy Yeoh Soon Hin, who is also the PBIM chairman, said runners could opt to join the speed or distance category or both categories. For those who want to take part in both categories, he said they must register for two events separately.
He said the virtual run, with its race period commencing from 0000 (12am) of Nov 21 and ending at 2359 (11.59pm) of Dec 20 following GMT+8, is complimentary for all.
“Participants from more than 70 countries took part in last year’s PBIM 2020 Virtual Run. We want to continue this commendable momentum, so we have introduced brand-new challenge categories to encourage participation and sportsmanship, on top of adding excitement to the annual event.
“The PBIM2021 Virtual Run is themed #ARunTowardsNormalcy to remind runners and participants that we are still waging the global Covid-19 pandemic with hopes that normalcy will be reverted as soon as possible.
‘I hope that PBIM will be the beacon of hope to inspire everyone that a better future awaits,” Yeoh told a press conference in Komtar today.
Yeoh said the new challenge categories introduced this year are:
- 5 Largest Teams – Minimum of 10 members per team
The 5 largest teams in terms of member size (pax) will be awarded with a trophy. Every member must clock in a minimum of 5km in a one single activity. Each member must be 13 years and above.
- 10 Highest Mileage Runners – Male and Female Category
10 runners of each gender, with the highest mileage within the race period will be awarded with a special achievement medal.
- First 10 runners to achieve 100km, 300km and 500km – Male and Female Category
First 10 runners of each gender to clock in 100km, 300km and 500km respectively, will be awarded with a special achievement medal. Repeated winners are allowed (Eg, a runner can win the 100km, 300km and 500km simultaneously).
Yeoh added that the three conventional categories – the 10km, 21km (Half Marathon) and 42km (Full Marathon) – would be held as usual, with the addition of 5km fun run.
He said although there are no race packs or finisher medals, the participants would be eligible for the e-certificate if they manage to complete the race within the respective qualifying time of 1 hour 15 minutes (5km), 2 hours (10km), 3.5 hours (Half Marathon) and 7 hours (Full Marathon).
As per the usual PBIM, Yeoh said there is an age limit for participation, namely 13 years old and above for 5km fun run; 13 years old and above (10km); and 18 years and above (21km and 42km).
“As usual, runners must complete their registration and connect one tracking app or GPS wearables to Biib, and ensure that the tracking app, which has been successfully synced, is turned on before the run to record the distance,” Yeoh said.
He also expressed his appreciation to Brooks, Emico and Seiko for their unwavering support to PBIM even in times of pandemic.
PBIM2021 Virtual Run project manager Grace Teoh said in this year’s virtual run, participants do not need to be a speed runner but could run at own pace to complete a marathon.
“You can be a leisure runner and yet you can win prizes. That is the difference this time. Importantly is to run safe,” Teoh said.
Runners Unite founder Tan Chin Chin, whose company has been a timing partner with PBIM since 2014, said they would be using a Biib platform for detailed result verification for all award winners in speed and distance sharing.
She said the team race is only for the distance challenge, not for the conventional speed challenge.
“The distance challenge is an accumulative distance challenge. You can clock as many km as you can in 30 days and if you clock the highest mileage, you also stand to win the top 10 prize for men and women.
“Now you get to win award even though you are not the fastest runner out there.
“That is why it is called speed challenge and distance challenge. There is a difference between the two. One is really not looking at time at all, looking only at the km accumulated,” Chin Chin explained.
Also present at the press conference were Emico Penang Sdn Bhd director of sales and marketing Dan Tan and marketing manager Vincent Tan.
Latest updates of the race are available at Penang Bridge International Marathon Facebook page (@penangbridgemarathon).
For more information, runners can also visit www.penangmarathon.gov.my or email [email protected] or call 04-650 5133.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi