SHAH ALAM - The sixth edition of the IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge wrapped up with a remarkable turnout of over 10,000 participants, showcasing exceptional determination and perseverance.
This year’s event introduced an exciting new category, the 42.195km Full Marathon, Malaysia’s first full marathon on a highway. The race offered runners a unique challenge and an exhilarating experience across the interconnected NPE and BESRAYA highways.
IJM Corporation Berhad Group chief executive officer and managing director, Datuk Lee Chun Fai, expressed excitement about the return of the IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge for its sixth edition.
He highlighted the addition of the 42.195km full marathon category, which brings a new level of challenge and excitement to the event.
"For the first time, we have merged the NPE and BESRAYA highway routes into a single event, offering runners a unique and seamless running experience.
"We are also introducing a 1.5km Junior category to inspire young runners. This challenge reaffirms our commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle and creating memorable experiences for our runners,” he said.
The event was officially flagged off by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. This year, the NPE and BESRAYA routes were merged into a single event, a departure from the separate days used in previous editions.
The full marathon commenced at 3am from Sunway Pyramid, with runners navigating the NPE Highway through Templer and Kuchai Lama, then onto the BESRAYA Highway at Jalan Pandan 1 before returning to Sunway Pyramid. Participants enjoyed breathtaking city skyline views along the route, which motivated many to push their limits and achieve personal bests.
The IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge 2024 drew participants from diverse backgrounds, with 80 per cent being Malaysians and the remaining 20 per cent international runners. Additional categories, including the 21km, 10km, 5km, and a newly introduced 1.5km Junior category, ensured a wide range of participants, from seasoned marathoners to young enthusiasts.
"The recognition from the Malaysia Book of Records enhances the event's prestige, and we are grateful to our sponsors, partners, and the running community for their unwavering support,” Lee added.
A record-breaking event
One of the key highlights was the recognition by the Malaysia Book of Records, which awarded the IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge 2024 with two prestigious titles: ‘First Full Marathon on a Highway’ and ‘Longest Marathon Course on a Closed Highway.’
The certificate presentation took place during the Full Marathon prize-giving ceremony.
Organised in collaboration with IJM Corporation Berhad and Allianz Malaysia Berhad, the event ensured a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.
The organising team, including New Pantai Expressway Sdn Bhd, Besraya (M) Sdn Bhd (both subsidiaries of IJM Corporation Berhad), and EC Pixels Asia, worked closely with relevant authorities, such as the Malaysian Highway Authority and the Royal Malaysia Police, to secure the route and provide a smooth run.