The Aspen-Klippa Penang Bridge International Marathon (PBIM) 2024 made history with its first mainland Penang event, earning widespread praise for its practical starting point at Aspen Vision City in Batu Kawan, near the second Penang Bridge, and its capacity to host over 22,000 participants from 65 countries.
WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news
SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar
LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline
WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news
SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar
LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00The Aspen Clipper Penang Bridge International Marathon, PBIM, 2024 made history by hosting
00:07its first-ever event on mainland Penang, a move that garnered widespread approval from
00:12participants.
00:13Runners praised Aspen Vision City in Batu Kawan as a practical starting point due to
00:17its proximity to the Sultan Abdul Halim Muazzam Shah Bridge, the second Penang bridge, and
00:22its capacity to accommodate over 22,000 participants and spectators from 65 countries.
00:28Penang Chief Minister Chow Kwon Yew, who flagged off the marathon events on Sunday, said the
00:33shift to mainland Penang aligns with the state's focus on developing the Batu Kawan area, a
00:39hub for growth, investment and tourism.
00:42Many runners described the experience of running on the iconic second Penang bridge as refreshing
00:46and memorable.
00:48Touted as Southeast Asia's longest bridge run, the PBIM 2024 marked a symbolic shift
00:55in promoting inclusive development across Penang.
00:58The marathon featured three categories, the Full Marathon 42km, Half Marathon 21km and
01:0510km run.
01:08Participation included more than 4,200 runners in the Full Marathon, close to 9,300 in the
01:13Half Marathon and over 8,500 in the 10km categories.
01:19Kenyan runners Moses Mbugwa Gaikarira and Rita Jeptu Busineh dominated the Full Marathon,
01:26winning the men's and women's titles.
01:2937-year-old Gaikarira clocked 2 hours 18 minutes and 34 seconds and called the experience memorable,
01:36as it marked his first race in the region after years of competing in Europe.
01:40Busineh, aged 36, described her victory as the best Christmas gift for her family.
01:46In the Best Malaysian Full Marathon categories, Muhammad Haziq Hamzah, with a time of 2 hours
01:5146 minutes and 19 seconds, took the men's title, marking his ninth marathon this year.
01:5743-year-old Tiffany Lee won the women's category and highlighted that age is no barrier to
02:03success.
02:04The runners, of course, I hope you have enjoyed the race and you will come back again.
02:13Your dedication and passion have made this event a resounding success and I would like
02:21to take this opportunity to thank every one of you.
02:27It is your enthusiasm and commitment that truly bring this event to life.
02:35The two-day event offered more than just races, featuring cultural performances, musical acts
02:41and a fireworks display.
02:44Prizes for lucky winners included two cars and three motorcycles.
02:49Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee Chairman Wong Hon Wai described the marathon
02:53as especially meaningful, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Second Penang
02:57Bridge.
02:59He emphasised rebranding the event with new venues and programmes to keep it fresh and
03:04exciting, ensuring its place as a premier sporting event.
03:09The marathon concluded with an exhilarating celebration, solidifying its status as a highlight
03:14on Penang's sporting calendar.