Kuching Marathon 2023

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The annual Marathon event in Kuching City is back this year with more than 10,000 participant from local and overseas. This is the 8th Series (Since 2014) of grand sport event that takes part around Kuching City, passing various historic and notable landmarks in Kuching. The Kuching Marathon is recognized by Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS).

This year, the event also features as part of the celebration of the Sarawak 60th Independence Day 2023.

Kuching Marathon 2023 Official Logo

Event : Kuching Marathon 2023

Date : 1st October 2023

Motto : Together, let’s run Cat City!

Venue (Starting and Ending) : Padang Merdeka, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, 93000 Kuching, Sarawak

Category :

Full Marathon of 42KM (Starts at 1:00AM)
Half Marathon of 21KM (Starts at 4:00AM)
Run of 10KM (Starts at 5:30AM)
Run of 5KM (Starts at 6:30AM)

Official Website : http://www.marathonkuching.com/

Official Event Guidebook : KM2023 Guidebook

Below are some of the previous Kuching Marathon that we had visited.

There is a break in the Kuching Marathon series during year 2020-2021 due to the pandemic.

The Kuching Marathon 2023 Route

The starting times for each category are as follows:

Kuching Full Marathon of 42KM: 1:00 am (Cut off time 7 hours)
Kuching Half Marathon of 21KM: 4:00 am (Cut off time 4 hours)
Kuching 10KM Run: 5:30 am (Cut off time 2 hours 30 minutes)
Kuching 5KM Run: 6:30 am (Cut off time 1 hour 30 minutes)

All categories will end on 8:00 AM.

The 42.195KM Full Marathon

The 42KM Full Marathon route meets the international standard of Full Marathon. The minimum age for the participant of Full Marathon is 18 years and above.

Similar to the previous years, the Kuching Marathon 2023 Route will take participants on a journey through Kuching’s rich history and various famous landmarks of Kuching City.

This route will take runners through both northern and southern administrative centers of Kuching City. This route will challenge the endurance of the runner to its maximum.

Along the route, runners will pass by several famous landmarks in Kuching City, including the Padang Merdeka, Astana and DUN (State Legislative Building) , The Cat Museum and DBKU (Kuching North City Hall), MBKS (Kuching South City Hall) , Jalan Padungan and the Cat statue.

The Route involves :

Jalan Tun Haji Openg
Jalan Muhibbah
Jalan Kulas
Jambatan Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’akub
Jalan Merdeka
Jalan Astana
Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’akub
Jalan Semariang
Jalan Sultan Tengah (with U-turn at the roundabout connecting Jalan Akses FAC and Jalan Sultan Tengah)
Jalan Semariang
Jalan Bako
Jalan Demak
Jalan Tun Salahuddin
Tun Salahuddin Bridge
Jalan Pending
Jalan Padungan
Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman

The Full Marathon starts off at 1:00 AM with the cut-off time of 7 hours (by 8:00 AM).

The official route of the 42Km Full Marathon. [Source: marathonkuching.com]

The 21KM Half Marathon

If Full Marathon test the runners endurance to its maximum capability, those who have lesser endurance can try out the Half Marathon (21km). It is half of the distance, but the route will still take runners through both northern and southern administrative centers of Kuching City. The minimum age for the participant of Half Marathon is 16 years and above.

Along the route, runners will pass by several famous landmarks in Kuching City, including the Padang Merdeka, Astana and DUN (State Legislative Building) , MBKS (Kuching South City Hall) , Jalan Padungan and the Cat statue.

The Route involves :

Jalan Tun Haji Openg
Jalan Datuk Ajibah Abol
Jalan Muhibbah
Jalan Kulas
Jambatan Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’akub
Jalan Merdeka
Jalan Hashim Jaafar
Jalan Astana
Jalan Tun Muhammad Salahuddin
Jambatan Tun Salahuddin
Jalan Pelabuhan
Jalan Pending
Jalan Padungan
Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman

The Half Marathon starts off at 4:00 AM with the cut-off time of 4 hours (by 8:00 AM).

The official route of the 21Km Half Marathon. [Source: marathonkuching.com]

The 10KM Run

This is the moderate endurance run that suits most of the average folks. The minimum age for the participant of 10KM run is 15 years and above.

With less than a quarter of a Full Marathon, this course will take runners around several famous landmarks along the waterfront of Kuching City.

The Route involves :

Jalan Tun Haji Openg
Jalan Satok
Jalan P. Ramlee
Jalan Khoo Hun Yeang
Jalan Market
Jalan Haji Taha
Jalan Kulas
Jalan Haji Mataiam
Jalan Muhibah
Jambatan Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’akub
Jalan Merdeka
Jalan Seruling
Jalan Tun Datuk Patinggi Hj. Abdul Rahman Ya’akub
Jambatan Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’akub
Jalan Kulas
Jalan Haji Taha
Jalan Market
Jalan Gambir

The 10KM run starts off at 5:30 AM with the cut-off time of 2 hours 30 minutes (by 8:00 AM).

The official route of the 10Km Run. [Source: marathonkuching.com]

The 5KM Run

The 5KM run is generally regard as fun run. This low to moderate endurance route is good for routine exercise for the family. They allow participants of 7 years old and above. Participants aged 7 years old or below must accompanied by parents or guardian who is participant of 21 years old or older.

The Route involves :

Jalan Tun Haji Openg
Jalan Satok
Jalan P. Ramlee
Jalan Khoo Hun Yeang
Jalan Market
Jalan Haji Taha
Jalan Kulas
Jalan Haji Mataiam
Jalan Muhibah
Jalan Kulas
Jalan Haji Taha
Jalan Market
Jalan Gambir

The 5KM run starts off at 6:30 AM with the cut-off time of 1 hour 30 minutes (by 8:00 AM).

The official route of the 5Km Run. [Source: marathonkuching.com]

The Kuching Marathon 2023 Gold Medal for 42KM runner that completed the marathon.

The Kuching Marathon 2023 Silver Medal for 21KM runner that completed the half marathon.

The Kuching Marathon 2023 Bronze Medal for 10KM runner that completed the run.

The committee ensuring the event runs smoothly.

The Race Day Event Program

Information extracted from the “KM2023 Guidebook”.

The Race Day Event Program

1st October 2023

Flag-Off Ceremony (Padang Merdeka, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg)

12:00 AM Arrival and gathering of Full Marathon runners at start point
1:00 AM Flag off for Full Marathon Categories (Men, Women for Open and Veteran)
3:00 AM Arrival and gathering of Half Marathon runners at start point
3:20 AM Estimated finishing time for Full Marathon runners (2:20 hrs)
4:00 AM Flag off for Half Marathon Categories (Men, Women for Open and Veteran)
4:10 AM Arrival and gathering of 10KM run runners at start point
5:15 AM Estimated finishing time for Half Marathon runners (1:15 hrs)
5:30 AM Flag off for 10KM Categories
6:05 AM Estimated finishing time for 10KM run runners (35 mins)
6:10 AM Arrival and gathering of 5KM run runners at start point
6:30 AM Flag off for 5KM Categories
6:48 AM Estimated finishing time for 5KM run runners (18 mins)
8:00 AM Cut-off time for Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10KM run & 5KM run

Prize Presentation Ceremony(Padang Merdeka, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg)

8:00 AM Arrival of Guest of Honour, VVIP, VIP and Guests
8:15 AM Speech by Guest of Honour
8:45 AM Prize Presentation Ceremony for winners of 10KM Run Category
9:00 AM Prize Presentation Ceremony for winners of Half Marathon Category
9:15 AM Prize Presentation Ceremony for winners of Full Marathon Category
9:30 AM Refreshment
10:00 AM End

Road Closure during Kuching Marathon 2023

For the safety of the participant, the Road closure for Kuching Marathon 2023 will be as follows :

2:00AM till 8:00AM Jalan Padungan, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Lebuh Temple, Lebuh Wayang
12:00 AM – 8:00 AM Jalan McDougall, Jalan Haji Taha, Jalan P Ramlee
12:00 AM – 9:00 AM Jalan Main Bazaar, Jalan Market, Jalan Gambir, Jalan Gartak, Jalan Khoo Hun Yeang, Jalan Market, Jalan Barrack, and Jalan Wawasan

The areas around Padang Merdeka and Plaza Merdeka (Starting and Ending point) will be closed as early as 11.30 pm on 31st September 2023.

Follow the orders of the local authorities and police officers at all times.

Car Parks for participant and visitors

Runners who are driving to the race venue are advised to park their vehicles on first come first served basis at :

Plaza Merdeka Shopping Mall
Plaza Aurora (Formerly Kuching Plaza)
Saujana Car Park
Pelita Car Park
Taman Budaya Car Park
Reservior Park Car Park
Green Hill Car Park
Car Park at Top Spot
Dewan Suarah Car Park
Jalan Masjid Polyclinic car park
Padang Jublee MBKS car park

The Kuching Marathon 2023 witness a number of 10,093 runners from near and far to join the event. Majority participants are from local Sarawak followed by Sabah and Peninsula Malaysia. Foreign participants runners from more than 20 countries including Australia, Brunei, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom and United States.

There are 1698 participants for the 42Km marathon category, 3271 participants for the 21Km half marathon category, 2194 participants for the 10Km run category and 2930 participants for the 5 km fun run category.

Early in the morning, full marathon runners are already waiting at the flag off area.

Preparation of the full marathon pacers.

Full marathon pacers that holds the 530hr balloon.

Everyone are very fresh and happy.

Friends gather together for the full marathon event.

The prize categories of the marathon includes :

Men’s Open (42km)
Women’s Open (42km)
Men’s Veteran Open (42km)
Women’s Veteran Open (42km)
National Men’s Open (42km)
National Women’s Open (42km)
Men’s Open (21km)
Women’s Open (21km)
Men’s Veteran Open (21km)
Women’s Veteran Open (21km)
Men’s Open (10km)
Women’s Open (10km)

The Kuching Marathon 2023 Full Marathon Flag Off

At 12.30AM , the invited guest of honour proceed to the starting line of the Marathon and have greetings to all of the Marathon 2023 participants. There is group photo session and then proceed to the flag off stage for welcoming speech, opening prayers and ready for the Marathon Flag Off. At 1.00AM, with the blow of the horns and wissles, the Kuhching Marathon 2023, full 42KM Marathon officially starts.

Full marathon runners waiting at the flag off area.

With the fire of the signal and the blow of the horn, the Kuching Marathon 2023 full marathon officially began.

The guest of honour for the Kuching Marathon 2023 full marathon flag off.

Guest of honour receiving the token of appreciation.

At 3.15AM, the finishing line is on full alert with media personels and supporters as the announcement of the first Full Marathon Runner is closing in the final kilometer. The first Full Marathon runner that cross the finishing line is David Kipkoech Kipsang, with time of 2 hours 20 minutes and 19 seconds. This breaks the time record of the previous Kuching Marathon full marathon completion timing. At the moment the finishing line is full of cheers and hand claps.

David Kipkoech Kipsang is the first full marathon runner passing the finishing line.

Bernard Muinde Matheka is the second full marathon runner passing the finishing line.

Edwin Kiptoo Yebei is the third full marathon runner passing the finishing line.

The Kuching Marathon 2023 21KM Half Marathon Flag Off

At 3.30AM, the Padang Merdeka is slowly filled with participant for the 21KM Half Marathon. This year the color theme is yellow, which makes the field and the surrounding roads filled with sea of yellow color. The participant for this year half marathon is more than the participant for previous half marathon.

The 21KM Half Marathon participants getting ready for the flag off.

Everyone is happy with friends and family at the flag off area.

Everyone is ready for the half marathon flag off.

Getting ready for the countdown of the half marathon flag off at the starting line.

Ready for the signal of the half marathon flag off.

With the fire of the signal and the horn at the flag off stage, the half marathon officially began.

At 4AM, the 21KM Half Marathon officially flag off and all participants start their journey along the 21KM route passing various parts of the Kuching City. The Half Marathon runner meet with full marathon route at half of the journey.

The Journey

Full Marathon and Half Marathon is not for the faint of heart. The long route across various city roads, hills and plains, crossing various landmarks of Kuching city.

Marathon runners passing by drinks station.

Running along the well lit roads.

Sun rise marks the nearing of the countdown and everyone still continue the marathon and never give up.

Half marathon runners cruising beside the roundabout.

Most Marathon Runners who join the event is for the enjoyment of runing along the scenic roads of Kuching City with friends and families. The enjoyment will pay off if they are able to be the finisher of the Marathon Event.

This year there are more runners than the past.

Everyone is eager to complete the marathon.

The marathon runners run across the city roads.

Marathon with a smile.

The full marathon pacer was happy when reaching the final few kilometers to the finishing line.

The marathon runners crossing the roads in front of iconic landmark of Kuching South City Hall.

The marathon runners in front of Kuching South City Hall.

The morning air is refreshing while marathon runners reaching the final kilometer. The pace move up when runners reaching the final kilometers as everyone wants to be at least a finisher of the marathon.

Marathon runners run along the old town of Padungan Road.

Running towards the final kilometer of road beside the Kuching Waterfront.

By 8.00 AM, the finishing line officially closed and it marks the ending of the Kuching Marathon 2023. All participants than manage to be the finisher of the event marks their way into the Padang Merdeka and chill up with everyone around. There are various refreshment stalls around the Padang Merdeka.

Finisher getting medals for completing the journey on time.

People crowded in front of the shopping mall.

The pos malaysia team.

Runners gathering at the padang merdeka after completing their run.

Runners gathers at the open field at Padang Merdeka.

Happy runners.

Queuing up for refreshment.

Friends gathering.

Runners gathering in front of the Kuching Marathon 2023 banner.

By 9:00 am, the winner tent and the prize giving stage became the main highlight as the annoucement of the winners of the Kuching Marathon 2023 will be officially announced and receive medals and awards.