KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 (Bernama)-- Kuala Lumpur is set to witness Malaysia's first Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009 (KL Marathon), the biggest race event in the country, to be held at Dataran Merdeka, this Sunday.A number of world-class runners are among 12,500 runners who have confirmed their participation to try and win a share of the RM350,000 cash awarded in the inaugural marathon.
Kenyan runner, Lawrence Kiptoo Saina, 28, with a personal best of 2 hours nine minutes, 52 seconds is expected to steal the limelight in the Men's Category which offers the winner USD20,000 (RM70,000).
The other contenders in the Men's Category are Ethiopian runner, Dogaga Haylu Abebe with a personal best of 2'10:41s and another Kenyan, Biwott Philip Kiplagat with a personal best of 2'10:30s.
In the women's Category, it will be tough call between 24-year-old Nigerian, Mary Akor who has a personal best of 2'33:43s and 30-year-old Russian runner, Margarita Plaksina with a personal best of 2'35:36s.
Joining the group of international elite runners will be home grown champion, Shaharudin Hashim who is aiming to beat his personal best of 2'34:21s to win the Malaysian Category.
"This race gives me an advantage as a local athlete and can be a platform for me to give my best and break the national record, especially with the support of local fans," Shaharudin said during a press conference, here Thursday.
The KL Marathon with its theme 'Run Your Race' is divided into five categories, namely Full Marathon (42km) half-marathon (21km), 10km ,5km, Family & Fun Run, as well as the Kids Dash (3km and 950m).
The route for marathon, sanctioned by the Malaysian Amateur Athletic Union (MAAU), covers some of the most popular tourist destinations in the city.
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