THE busy lanes of New Pantai Expressway (NPE) and Sungai Besi Highway (Besraya) were taken over by runners when both highways were temporarily closed to traffic for a highway run.
More than 14,000 runners participated in the IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge 2026.
The event is into its eighth edition this year, having been recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records in 2024 as the longest running event conducted on a highway.
Jointly organised by IJM Corporation and Allianz Malaysia, participants from Malaysia and 22 other countries, took part in four race categories – the 42.195km full marathon, 21km half marathon as well as the 10km and 5km runs.
The event brought together elite athletes, recreational runners and corporate teams.
IJM Corporation Bhd group chief executive officer and managing director Datuk Lee Chun Fai said the event had become a platform to unite communities through their shared passion for running.
“As such, we remain committed in ensuring every edition delivers an exceptional experience for our runners and stakeholders,” he said.
Expressing his delight at having the opportunity to support the run for the past eight years, Allianz Malaysia Bhd chief executive officer Sean Wang said the runners were also inspiring others to prioritise healthy living in their daily lives.
“Running is an excellent sport for the mind and body, and we encourage everyone to do their best, at their own pace of course,” he said.
EC Pixels Asia managing director Eugene Chan, who was responsible for directing the run, said his team was looking forward to creating even more memorable experiences and setting new benchmarks for highway running events in Malaysia.
“Every edition provides an opportunity for us to improve the race experience for our runners.
“The continued support from participants, volunteers and partners motivates us to keep innovating across every aspect of the event,” he said.
The event was officially flagged off by Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan.
“This is a commendable example of how two major highways in the Klang Valley can be temporarily closed and transformed into a vibrant space for the community and the public to participate in recreational and marathon activities,” he said.
This year, the event was made more eco-friendly with the setting up of recycling bins.
The organisers also used digital platforms for registration, updates and race information to cut down on paper waste.
