Kuching Marathon 2026 builds momentum with 8,000 sign-ups, aims for record participation

Abdul Karim (seated, third right) along with other distinguished guests and Kuching Marathon 2026 organising team during a photo call after a press conference at Sarawak Legislative Assembly Complex's Media Room on May 13, 2026.

By Dayangku Hidayatul

KUCHING, May 13: The annual Kuching Marathon 2026 (KM2026), set for Sept 27, has already drawn an encouraging 8,000 registrations, with organisers targeting more than 16,000 participants for what is widely regarded as one of Borneo’s premier sporting events.

Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the marathon, now in its 11th edition, will once again start and finish at Padang Merdeka.

“What makes the Kuching Marathon unique compared to other running events in Sarawak is that it is by far the largest mass participation marathon in Borneo.

“You can see that no other marathon event in Borneo has managed to attract up to 14,000 participants as we did last year,” he told a press conference held at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Complex’s Media Room today.

He expressed optimism that participation could eventually grow to 30,000 runners, placing the event in the league of globally recognised marathons such as Tokyo and Boston, which attract around 50,000 participants.

KM2026 will feature four categories: the full marathon (42.195km), half marathon (21km), 10km run and 5km fun run.

The full marathon will flag off at 1am, followed by the half marathon at 3am, the 10km run at 5am and the 5km event at 6.30am.

Recognised by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), the Kuching Marathon remains the first road race in Sarawak to receive international certification.

Abdul Karim also highlighted that it continues to stand as the largest mass participation running event in Borneo, noting that no marathon in Kalimantan has recorded participation exceeding 10,000 runners.

Over the years, the event has also attracted strong international interest, drawing runners from more than 40 countries.

This year’s edition will feature RM125,000 in prize money, improved and more spacious race-pack collection facilities at Plaza Merdeka Shopping Mall, as well as additional mosques and surau along the routes to accommodate Muslim participants for Subuh prayers.

All finishers will receive medals, while participants in the full and half marathon categories will also be awarded finisher T-shirts.

Registration closes on July 31, with race-pack collection scheduled from Sept 23 to 26 at Padang Merdeka.

Abdul Karim said the marathon continues to reinforce Kuching’s standing as a sports tourism destination while further elevating the city’s international profile. — DayakDaily