KLSCM 2025: NI JIA, MICHELLE EMERGE TOP MALAYSIANS AS KENYANS BAG OPEN TITLES

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- Yeow Ni Jia and Michelle Chua Khit Yeng emerged as the top Malaysian finishers in their respective categories at the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon (KLSCM) 2025 at Merdeka Stadium here today.

Ni Jia clocked 2 hours 36 minutes and 13 seconds to top the Malaysian men’s Open category, followed by Tan Huong Leong (2’37:05s) and 2024 edition champion and two-time SEA Games bronze medallist Muhaizar Mohamad (2’44:37s).

In the Malaysian women’s Open category, Michelle crossed the finish line in 3’05:40s, ahead of Noor Amelia Musa (3’09:03s) and Lee Siok Chin (3’11:07s).

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Ni Jia said that although the challenging route and humid weather tested his endurance, he was pleased to meet his race targets.

“Overall, it was quite a challenging course with rolling hills, and the weather was a bit more humid compared to the past few cooler days. I’m lucky to have managed and sustained through the race to finish with a very satisfying result.

“I would say that I'm very satisfied with this win. One reason is, of course, I hit my goal. It also gives me a performance check of the local scene - how well my body adapts and reacts to these kinds of conditions,” said the 25-year-old software engineer.

He said that this year’s route felt more demanding compared to last year’s, especially towards the end of the race at Merdeka Stadium.

“Compared to the typical ending at Dataran Merdeka, there’s a psychological effect. Last year, when you were arriving there, you knew it was almost the end. But this year, after passing Dataran Merdeka, there were still three to four kilometres to go. The ending was quite torturous,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Kenyan runners enjoyed a clean sweep in the men's Open category, with John Nzau Mwangangi winning in 2’17:28s, followed by Kiprotich Kirui (2’17:45s) and Vincent Kiprono (2’18:06s).

In the women’s Open category, Truphena Chepchirchir of Kenya took top spot in 2’41:36s, followed closely by Ethiopia’s Almaz Negede Fekade (2’41:50s) and Kenya’s Joyline Chemutai (2’42:34s).

As champions, Ni Jia and Michelle each took home a medal and a cash prize of RM20,000, while Mwangangi and Chepchirchir each received a medal and a cash prize of USD15,000 (RM63,090).

-- BERNAMA