The Course: A Rolling Loop from Stadium Merdeka
The 10 km started and finished at Stadium Merdeka [1][2], with Merdeka 118 in view from the start line [1]. On the organiser's route map the loop runs from the stadium past the Pos Malaysia building to the Jalan Parlimen junction, and along Jalan Sultan Salahuddin to its far end, a turn near Jalan Bukit Tunku. It also winds through the streets around Jalan Sultan before finishing back at the stadium [2].
It is not flat. The organiser's elevation chart shows a route that rises and falls all the way round, with the biggest short climb just before 7 km [2]. The map warns that timing and route may change subject to the local authority [2], and the 2025 fee table said all distances were subject to change by the authorities [3].
The 10 km was run with timing chips; the 5.8 km fun run was not timed [3]. A Proton E.MAS electric vehicle led the 10 km, and marshals rode electric bikes [1].
The Weather: Humid, but Over Early
Subang airport, about 17 km west of the stadium, recorded 26°C at 6am, half an hour before the start, with a dew point of 25°C, 94% humidity and a 2-knot wind. It was still 26°C at 7am and at 8am, when the air was completely still, and 28°C by 9am [4]. Light rain fell at the airport around 2am and 3am and had stopped by 4am [4].
A dew point of 24°C to 25°C is heavy air to race in, but a 10 km is short: anyone finishing within 90 minutes of the 6.30am start ran the whole way at about 26°C [4]. The route map gave the 10 km's window as 6am to 9am [2].
Water, Rules and Cut-offs
The 10 km map marks three water stations: two near the Jalan Parlimen junction and one at the far turn near Jalan Bukit Tunku [2]. Reusable cups were used throughout the event [1], and every category got light refreshments after the run [3].
The rules required runners to stay on the marked route or be disqualified, and to keep to the left side of the lane. Pets, prams and skates were banned, and sweeper vehicles picked up runners after each category's cut-off [5]. The cut-off times were not in the rules; Pos Malaysia put them, with parking details, in a race-day guide on Facebook [6].
How Fast the Field Is
The front of the 10 km was very fast. Frankline Saitoti won the men's race in 27:56, ahead of Kamau in 29:36 and Hideyuki Kawada in 32:00; fifth place was 33:05. Nympha Kiteta Kivalo won the women's race in 31:34, from Esther Joy in 35:16; third place was 40:06, and fifth, 40:26 [7]. No course measurement certificate is published, so treat these times as a guide to where the prizes fall rather than as certified 10 km results.
Further down, the times are more ordinary. The women's veteran race was won by Saori in 40:26 [1][7], and the corporate relay by Chill Team, Tee Xin Wen and Nicolas Grandadam, in 52:52 [1][7]. Prizes went to the top five in each 10 km category, open and veteran, men and women: RM800, RM500, RM300, RM250 and RM200. The top three relay pairs won RM800, RM500 and RM300 [3], about RM10,000 in all [1].
Race Kits by Post
Pos Malaysia posted every race kit before race day, in batches by registration date, and there was no collection counter on the day [3][5]. Postage and personal accident insurance were included in the fee [5]. The kits went out on Pos Malaysia's electric vans and bikes [1]. The blogger who ran the 10 km found it really convenient, especially for anyone travelling from outside the Klang Valley [1].
Every finisher got a medal made by NatureLoop from recycled materials, each using about six zip ties from Pos Malaysia's operational waste [1], plus an e-certificate and a lucky-draw entry [3]. The 10 km cost RM65 early bird and RM75 normal; the relay RM140 to RM160 per pair; the 5.8 km fun run RM55 to RM65, or RM200 to RM240 for a group of four [3]. Entries could not be transferred, and changing category meant registering again [5].
Should You Enter the 2026 Race?
Yes, if you want a first 10 km or a family run in central Kuala Lumpur, or a relay with a colleague, and you like having your kit arrive by post. The fun run takes children from age five [1].
Think twice if you are after open-category prize money without elite speed, or a flat course for a personal best.
The 2026 race is different. It is on Sunday 29 November 2026 at Dataran Merdeka, with an event window of 4am to 12pm, and adds the run's first 21 km alongside the 10 km and a 5.5 km fun run [8][9]. Fees run from RM118 to RM138 for the 21 km, RM88 to RM108 for the 10 km and RM68 to RM88 for the fun run [8]. The top five in each 21 km category win RM1,000 to RM500, and in each 10 km category RM600 to RM100 [8]; the organiser puts the total at RM20,800 [9]. Only 21 km finishers get a finisher towel and finisher tee [8]. Kits can be posted or collected at eight post offices from 19 to 21 November [8][9], and the organiser is aiming for 10,000 runners [9]. The registration page gave no start times or route map for each distance when this was written [8], so check both before race week.
Nobody from this site ran the race. This review draws on the organiser's race information, rules, route map and post-race release, the results, airport weather records and one runner's own account.