SHAH ALAM - Over 10,000 runners will join the sixth IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge, featuring its first full marathon across the New Pantai Highway (NPE) and the Lebuhraya Sungai Besi (Besraya) highways on Sept 8.
For the first time, both highways will temporarily close from 12.01am to 11.00am to make way for the race, ensuring participants can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime running experience.
In a joint statement by IJM Corporation Berhad and Allianz, it was announced that this year’s edition will introduce a brand-new route for the 42.195km full marathon, with participants running along the interconnected NPE and Besraya highways, a course never featured before.
"Runners will begin and end their races near Sunway Pyramid, navigating through scenic routes like Templer and Kuchai Lama, while only the full marathoners will have the unique privilege of running both highways.
"Other race categories will include a 21km half marathon, 10km, 5km and a newly introduced 1.5km race tailored for younger participants.
"With runners of all ages coming together for a day of fun and fitness, the event promises to be one of the most diverse and inclusive races in Malaysia,” the statement read.
To facilitate a smooth event, several major sections of both highways will be temporarily closed to traffic.
On the NPE, closures will affect the stretch from Bulatan Kewajipan in Subang Jaya to Bangsar in both directions, as well as the area from Kuchai Lama Entrepreneurs Park to Pantai Dalam Toll Plaza.
For the Besraya highway, the closures will extend from the Kuchai Lama overpass to Jalan Pandan 1, leading to the MRR2, affecting both bounds of traffic. These measures are essential to ensure the safety of marathon participants and to manage traffic flow during the event.
Motorists are advised to plan their routes ahead of time, as the closures will last from 12.01am until 11.00am on Sept 8. Temporary alternative routes have been set up to accommodate local communities and ease traffic congestion.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of both NPE and Besraya highways, Wan Salwani Wan Yusoff said that the event has been approved by the Works Ministry and the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) for its scheduled date this Sunday.
"An estimated 12,000 participants and spectators will be present to enliven this event. To ensure the smooth flow of traffic, several alternative routes have been planned for traffic diversions to facilitate the mobility of the local communities following road closures along both highways.
"We work closely with the MHA, police, local authorities, the event organiser and other highway concession companies to ensure smooth traffic flow," she said.
Runners are encouraged to prepare early, and those planning to attend are reminded to arrive ahead of time to avoid delays. With over 10,000 participants, this challenge is expected to be a landmark event for Malaysia’s running community.