(From left) Wong, Supt Zafri and officer Insp Aizad Muhaimin viewing the marathon route map. —ZHAFARAN NASIB/ The Star
A TOTAL of 23,000 runners will take part in this year’s Aspen-Klippa Penang Bridge International Marathon (PBIM), which returns to Batu Kawan with a fully certified race course spanning the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge.
The event will require the bridge to be closed from 11pm on Dec 13 until 10am on Dec 14.
Motorists are advised to use the first Penang Bridge as an alternative route between the island and mainland during this period.
Most participants are Malaysian, with a small but diverse international showing, said Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai.
“Out of 23,000 participants, 93.2% are locals while the remaining 6.8% are international runners from 51 countries,” he said at a press conference at Komtar in George Town.
“Of the 23,000, 18.6% are in the Full Marathon category, while 45.2% are in the Half Marathon and 36.2% are in the 10km Run.”
He added that PBIM was certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS).
“An AIMS-certified race course, PBIM is the longest bridge run in South-East Asia.
“The certification places PBIM among a select group of Malaysian marathons that meet global standards.
“For our runners, this ensures accurate distance, a professionally managed course and an internationally recognised race experience,” he said.
This is the second consecutive year PBIM is being held at Batu Kawan after the venue was shifted from the Penang Bridge.
Participants will start and finish at Aspen Vision City, with the full marathon flagged off at 1.30am, half marathon at 3am and 10km run at 6.30am.
Medical teams, water stations and traffic personnel will be stationed along the route, while shuttle buses will operate from key locations on both island and mainland to reduce congestion.
Wong was joined at the press conference by Penang Traffic Enforcement Department chief Supt Zafri Zolkapli and representatives from event sponsors.
Star Media Group is the official media partner.
