Kuching Half Marathon Heritage Run 2024: 3,500 runners to vie for RM42,000 in cash prizes

KHMHR2024 organisers and Wee (fourth right) pose for the camera at his office in MBKS on July 20, 2024.

By Dayak Daily Team

KUCHING, July 20: The Kuching Half Marathon Heritage Run (KHMHR) 2024, which offers cash prizes of up to RM42,000, has received 3,500 registered participants.

In a statement, its event director, Chan Boon Teck, said the KHMHR 2024
is organised by the City Jogger’s Club in what was meant to be a special event commemorating its 10th anniversary.

Chan said the objective is to showcase Kuching’s cultural and heritage richness, to attract global tourists interested in multicultural experiences to blend fitness with cultural exploration and to position Kuching as a unique travel destination.

He said KHMHR 2024 will see participants journey through 15 heritage sites and numerous landmarks, including the Kuching City Mosque, Sarawak Old Museum, the Astana, DUN, Borneo Cultural Museum, Southeast Asia’s tallest Flagpole, Darul Hana Bridge, and many more.

“Additionally, KHMHR 2024 coincides with the Kuching Food Festival, showcasing local and traditional fusion cuisine. The race offers a dawn-to-sunrise experience, starting at dawn and ending with sunrise.

“It is also crafted for the Kuching community as a fun way to learn and relearn the heritage and discover parts of Kuching that might have been overlooked,” he said after a courtesy visit to MBKS mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng, who would be the guest of honour at KHMHR 2024.

“We offer prizes for the top 20 winners of the half-marathon in the Men Open, Women Open, Men Veteran, and Women Veteran, and the top ten for the 10KM Men Open, Women Open, Men Veteran, and Women Veteran,” he said.

He added that the KHMHR is also crafted for the Kuching community as a fun way to learn and relearn the heritage and discover parts of Kuching that might have been overlooked.

“To date, we have 3,500 participants, which has exceeded our initial goal of 3,000. Out of the total participants, 20 per cent are from other states in Malaysia and 11 countries, including Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, China, Netherlands, Australia, England, USA, Philippines, and Kenya.”

Chan said the 21.1KM Endurance Competitive Run will be flagged off at 4am, the 10KM Speed Competitive Run at 6am, and the 5KM Fun Run at 6.45am.

Chan also thanked the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak for being their first collaboration and supporter, as well as their sponsors and partners. — DayakDaily