The Kuala Lumpur StanChart Marathon (KLSCM) 2025 took place over the weekend.
As Malaysia’s premier distance running event, the race saw over 41,000 participants across six race categories throughout the two days of events. The numbers underscored the event’s reputation as Malaysia’s largest mass participation event and one of the most celebrated races in South East Asia.
I took part in the 21.1km half marathon category. This took place on Sunday together with the 42.195km full marathon. The half was flagged off at 4:45am. Despite trying to go to sleep early the night before, I couldn’t sleep and I was tossing and turning a lot. I eventually gave up on trying to sleep, tuned into the midnight English Premier League game, and then got changed and ready after the match was over. 
The start point was different to previous years due to the usual location, Dataran Merdeka, being closed off for renovations. The race this year started along Jalan Raja Laut.
The walk from our hotel to the start was less than 10 minutes. I reached at 4am. It was already bustling with throngs of half marathon runners hyped up and eager to start running.
There was lots of fanfare at the start, an eager emcee and lots of energy. 
The run was flagged off a minute earlier at 4:44am. The route for the first few kilometres was flat, then they eased us towards the hills. The city sights and sounds at the beginning was great, I was enjoying myself and soaking up the mood and energy and having a good time running out on the streets of KL before the city wakes.
The first half went by quite fast and I was having fun. The early stages took us around the city areas. There were water stations roughly at 3km to 4km intervals. With the high heat and humidity, I made sure I took a cup at every station. I also had my gels and salt which I was taking to ward off any cramp.
I remember the hills at around 12km. From this point onwards, there were nonstop hills as we ran out of the city for a bit before returning to finish at the Stadium Merdeka. It was challenging and my pace slowed. The last kilometre or so felt much more hilly compared to previous years.
But what I really liked was how friendly and encouraging fellow runners were here in KL. Despite this being a competitive race, everyone was so down to earth and trying to help each other to do our best. There was a runner who continuously was cheering on everyone as he ran and trying to motivate us all. Especially in the last kilometres, this can be very helpful in terms of maintaining pace and trying to hang on. Most amateur runners in Singapore, where I am from, tend to be more competitive and focus on themselves.
Running into Stadium Merdeka and finishing on the stadium track itself felt special. The place where Malaysia’s independence was first declared, Stadium Merdeka is steeped in history thus it felt so fitting for it to be the finish line of KL’s premiere marathon event. 
I crossed the line in an official time of 1 hour 56 minutes 48 seconds. Sub 2.
We were ushered along the track to collect our race finish entitlements which included our finisher medal, as well as a bottle of water, can of 100PLUS, a pear and a banana.
The finish line was quite happening, with several booths set up from the event sponsors such as Hi-5, Asics, Tudung People and more. There were a few freebies such as fruit juice and plenty of photo opportunities at the various standees. 
However it got hot and scorching very quickly, from around 7:45am onwards. The weather continued to increase in intensity throughout the morning and there was no shade at Stadium Merdeka. I take back anything I’ve said earlier about the KL weather being cooler than Singapore’s. They are exactly the same.
It’s hard to enjoy the race carnival when the heat was so intense. But it was definitely well put together, with everything run seamlessly and plenty of spectator areas for runners to wait around and cheer on their friends who were still running. The spectator stands which could be accessed from the outside provided a really great vantage point to see the finish line. 
Thank you once again to KLSCM for organising another fantastic event. The friendly, chill and very down-to-earth vibe here is always once that I look forward to and it never disappoints. I enjoyed the run and I definitely hope to be back again next year.
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