Sarawak Health Marathon 2014 - Open for Registration!

Sibu's Longest Run

Yours truly isn't about to go into a debate on what constitutes a full marathon. The Sarawak Health Marathon 2014 is actually a half marathon, and this is the 14th edition. So, long before anyone else thought of it in Sarawak, the runners in Sibu have been running this event. This year it will be held on 5th May. As usual it either clashes, or is too close to the Borneo International Marathon,  which falls on 4th May 2014. From the information I have garnered, this means the Health Marathon will be run on a Monday! The event will yet again be held at Jubilee Park. It is now open for registration. According to Kelab Sukan Marathon Extreme (KSME) chairman Tang Ka Seng, there will be more than RM40,000 of cash prizes. The prize money has increased from last year by RM10,000. KSME is hoping to attract 2,000 runners. Last year I recall Kenyans took the top three spots. The first 800 runners who register will each receive a free t-shirt. 

The run is divided into six categories. Namely, 21km Men's and Ladies' Open, and Men's Veteran (48 years and above), 7km Men's Fun Run and Boy's Junior and 2.5km Girls' Junior. There is also a separate category for 2.5km Ladies Fun Run. The winners of the 21km Men's and Ladies' Open, and Men's Veteran will each receive RM900 plus a trophy. The first runner-up will get RM750 plus a trophy, while the second runner-up will get RM600 plus a trophy. As for the other positions, 4th prize is RM550, 5th prize is RM500, 6th is RM450, 7th prize is RM400 and 8th to 10th prize is RM300. The 11th to 20th placings will each get RM200, while the 21st to 30th placings will each get RM100. The 31st to 50th placings will each get RM50. In the Ladies' Open and Men's Veteran, only the 31st to 35th placings will receive RM50.

Entry fees are RM20 for Men's and Ladies' Open and Men' Veteran and Fun Run. As for the Boy's Junior and Girl's Junior, they only have to fork out RM10. The closing date for entries is 30th April 2014. Entry forms are available from KSME c/o Chai Lai Cafe at Sanyan Road. After 28th February, entry forms can be collected and submitted at the Grandstand of Sibu Town Square from 4pm to 6pm. Those residing in Sibu who are interested in knowing more about this run can contact Tang Ka Seng at 019-8181129 or Joseph Tang at 019-8178232. Those from Kuching can call Ngui Kiong (012-8881261), for Miri they can call Wong Siew Ming (019-8354321), and for Bintulu, Sarkawi Adenan (011-29978867). All those from Sarawak not planning to run in Kota Kinabalu that weekend should consider this half marathon.