Participants running on Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge during PBIM 2025. — Courtesy of PBIM
Running in the early hours among highlights for PBIM participants
RUNNING in the early hours pushes against the body’s natural rhythm and demands mental resilience.
That was part of the challenge faced by runners at Aspen-Klippa Penang Bridge International Marathon (PBIM) 2025, which attracted participants from 64 countries.
As most city dwellers were still in slumber during the wee hours of Dec 13, 25,000 runners laced up their sports shoes and set out into the darkness, chasing not just an improvement in their personal best but also an experience that would test body and mind.
Visitors enjoying a game as part of activities at PBIM 2025. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
For K. Thiruna from Ipoh, Perak, the experience began long before the blare of the starting horn.
The operations supervisor arrived nearly two hours early for the half marathon, giving himself plenty of time to warm up and mentally prepare for the 3am flag-off.
“I tried to sleep early, but I couldn’t because of the excitement,” he said, adding that running in the darkness felt vastly different from daytime races.
“The atmosphere was more intense. Crossing the bridge before dawn was unforgettable, especially with the strong winds.
Thiruna: Run over Penang Second Bridge was intense.
“It made the run tougher, but also more exhilarating as the city slowly came to life,” said Thiruna, who was taking part in PBIM for the second consecutive year.
Businessman Muhammad Harith Abdul Rahman made the journey to the marathon starting line with friends and family.
He drove from Sepang, Selangor, with his sister Arinah and two friends.
An avid runner, Muhammad Harith said PBIM marked his final race of the year before a well-earned New Year break.
Muhamad Harith travelled from Sepang to take part.
“PBIM holds a special place in the hearts of local runners because of its challenging route and festive atmosphere.
“It’s a fitting way to end my racing calendar,” he added.
For best friends Carey Lian and Lau Chy Yan, PBIM was a leap into the unknown.
“At first, we were hesitant about joining the event for the first time, but decided to give it a go,” said Lian, adding that the pair trained regularly at their neighbourhood playground.
Their effort paid off with finisher medals for the 10km event.
Lian (left) and Lau with their 10km finisher medals.
The race started and ended at Aspen Vision City, with the marathon flagged off at 1.30am, half marathon at 3am and 10km run at 6.30am.
This marks the second consecutive year PBIM is held in Batu Kawan, taking on Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge (Penang Second Bridge), following the move from Penang Bridge.
The event also continued its support for visually-impaired runners, while a host of activities including live music performances entertained visitors of all ages.
(From left) Ooi, Tan and Cham posing with their lucky draw prizes above, while below, balloons marking visually-impaired runners taking part in the 10km race.
The full marathon open categories were won by Kenyans Anderson Saitoti Seroi (men’s) and Eunice Nyawira Muchiri (women’s), taking the RM25,000 prize, trophy and medal each.
Full-time athlete Muhamad Haziq Hamzah and police corporal Noor Amelia Musa took the Best Malaysian Full Marathon Men’s and Women’s Open titles respectively, and the RM5,000 prize, trophy and medal each.
Engineer Cham Chiong Fook, who returned to PBIM after a six-year break, was handsomely rewarded with the lucky draw grand prize.
“When they announced my name, I couldn’t believe it,” he said of the Proton S70 he won.
The prize was reserved for race finishers under Proton’s collaboration with PBIM as official car partner and title sponsor of the 10km race.
Ooi Chew Hoon and Tan Xin Rou were drawn as winners of a Honda ADV160 SE and Honda Vario 160 SE respectively.
The prizes were given out by state tourism committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, alongside Proton deputy director (sales) Ong Chee Wooi and deputy director (product marketing) Kevin Zhang Wen Jun.
