SCKLM New Route Tour 2014

Kuala Lumpur’s most iconic long distance running event has a new route for the second time in six years.

Runners and members of the media gathering at the Pacific Express Hotel before they were taken for a 42km 'Marathon' on a Bus.

The SCKLM Race Director gave a briefing to the media about the route

The traditional point of start. Dataran Merdeka.

Familiar faces. The organizers provided an open roof tour bus so that everyone get to feel the 42km ride to be as close as possible.

This year, from the starting line, runners will be running the opposite direction - into the city centre. The city can be quite hilly, so do conserve your energy accordingly.

After running about in the city, we turn into AKLEH. If you have participated in the recent Nike Run, its the same elevated highway. And in this picture get ready to experience some of the toughest 'uphills' you will face in the 2014 KL Marathon - ramps running up the expressway. This one is considered quite friendly.

The view in AKLEH. Runners will run on routes surrounded by the beautiful buildings and scenic city landscapes of Kuala Lumpur in the early morning. It should be still dark so please imagine the beautiful city lights here.

Along the elevated expressway - either AKLEH or DUKE highway, don't just run...look around. You might bump into Usain Bolt - the fastest sprinter in the world should be good enough to inpire you to run strong.

But as the road runs deeper into the Duke Highway, the view may be a bit boring for some...keep focus. But hey, on the brighter side, it will be traffic free, and there will be no angry drivers around to yell at you like the previous years.

But do pay attention to what is beyond the near....you will find the finishing line somewhere next to those skyscrappers in this picture.......alamak! that is quite a distance.

This is the moment to stay focus!

And should you start to question yourself why you are doing this in the first place, this is the sign that bears the answer: Menerokai Kemungkinan ; Kemenangan yang epik? PB baru? finisher of SCKLM 2014? So stay strong and go for it!

When you see the National Museum - the finishing line is closeby. So it is time to tidy up the hair, put up that beautiful smile for a strong looking Finish Line photo.

Finally. The bus ride 'marathon'  finishers taking a happy group photo after the ride.

THE OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Kuala Lumpur, 6 September 2014 – For the second time in six years, the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2014 will have a new route to test runners’ endurance and skills on more elevated roads.

Scheduled to be held on Oct 12, participants will start and finish as usual at Dataran Merdeka. However, the new route will take them along the Duta-Ulu Klang Highway and the Ampang Elevated Highway instead of the previous years when they ran mainly on city roads.

With the anticipated increase in the number of participants this year, the new route will be an added impetus to participate in the event, apart from helping it to stay ahead of the growing number of marathon events in Malaysia.

Rainer Biemans, Director of Dirigo Events, event owner and organiser of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon, said there were several considerations when designing the new route. 

“Our first consideration is always the safety of our runners. When designing the routes, we looked into various ways of leading runners onto roads that presented the least traffic hazards.”

“We also look into providing our runners with the best experience and therefore aimed at maintaining as much of the scenic landmarks such as the Kuala Lumpur Twin Towers, KTMB Station Kuala Lumpur, the National Monument and the Kuala Lumpur High Court to name a few.”

“Running on elevated highways means that runners get to enjoy the rare experience of a bird’s eye view of the city skyline plus traffic is more manageable and we are optimistic that the runners will enjoy the experience,” he said.

He also said special attention was paid to the Jalan Raja Laut and Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman turns, so collisions and congestion between Full Marathon and Half Marathon runners returning and 10km, 5km runners heading to their start points could be avoided this year.

Being the sixth edition and one of the longest-running marathons in the country, the new route is also believed to help further increase the number of participants. 

"We have grown from 33,800 last year to 35,200 as of Sept 1, 2014 and we are confident the new route with the highways, will be able to take on that number during the event.

“As the event organiser, our efforts have always been channelled towards making the race better and for our runners to constantly experience something new. I believe we have achieved this once again with the new route,” Biemans said. 

Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia’s Managing Director and CEO, Osman Morad, said the new route will be challenging, but he believed the Standard Chartered KL Marathon runners are Committed, Confident, Courageous, and they are up to the challenge. 

“I hope this will be an exciting run, one that will stretch the participants in achieving their goals. I wish them a fun and safe experience!”

Numerous precautionary measures have been taken to ensure the runners’ safety on Race Day. These include:

• Engagement of 400 traffic police and DBKL enforcement officers to ensure a traffic-free running route and pre-race road closures 
• Public conveniences such as 350 toilets, surau facilities and 28 water stations on the route as well as Dataran Merdeka 
• 450 medical personnel both on the route as well as Dataran Merdeka 
• 350 race officials both on the route as well as the start and finish areas 
• Public transportation services from as early as 3am 

The Honda Half Marathon Route

The MSIG 10km route.

For more information on the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2014’s new route, please visit www.kl-marathon.com or call +603 7886 1717.