Media Highlights - Record Times Posted at HSL Samarathon 2026
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The 2026 HSL Samarahan Marathon came to a close on Sunday with impressive performances across multiple categories, as participants made the most of the cooler weather and well-known race route to achieve personal bests and potentially new course records.
The HSL-sponsored community event offered a total prize pool of nearly RM50,000.
According to the organisers, this year’s faster finishing times were driven by the cooler climate, tougher competition, and runners becoming more familiar with the Samarahan route.
Here are the media highlights:
The Borneo Post, May 18
The Hock Seng Lee (HSL) Samarahan Marathon stands as one of the catalysts for tourism growth in Sarawak, said Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
According to the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, the event continues to attract participants from outside Sarawak each time it is held.
New Sarawak Tribune, May 17
A total of 2,800 participants from across Sarawak, West Malaysia and overseas took part in this year’s Hock Seng Lee (HSL) Half Marathon.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah praised the initiative for promoting healthy lifestyles while contributing to the local tourism industry.
DayakDaily, May 17
Sarawakian runner Syahrullah Safri and Kenya’s Abigael Jerop emerged champions in the men’s and women’s half marathon categories respectively at the HSL Samarahan Marathon 2026 today, as runners posted blistering times under cooler race conditions in Samarahan.
Utusan Borneo, May 17
Pelari berusia 29 tahun itu bersama abang kembarnya, Hazarullah Safri yang muncul naib juara, telah menyertai HSL Samarahan Marathon selama tiga tahun berturut-turut.
“Saya seronok dapat berlari bersama abang saya kerana saya tahu kemampuan daya tahannya,” katanya.
Syahrullah turut berkongsi bahawa beliau terpaksa menarik diri daripada perlumbaan tahun lalu akibat kecederaan, namun kembali bangkit pada tahun ini untuk muncul juara.
Sin Chew Daily, May 18
比赛由福胜利，City Jogger‘s Club及三马拉汉市议会联办，今届赛事总奖金接近5万令吉。
福胜利市场传播主管张亚伯拉罕说，福胜利未来将继续提升赛事，包括明年可能更新路线，计划将全马路线延申至新实仁甲桥。
See Hua Daily, May 18
主办单位指出，今年天气较为凉爽，加上选手实力提升及对赛道更加熟悉，让不少跑者创下个人最佳成绩，甚至有望刷新赛道记录。
男子公开组方面， Dennis Isika以1小时16分28秒率先冲线，打破Andy Yeo於2025年创下的1小时20分51秒记录。女子公开组则由来自肯雅的Abigael Jerop以1小时27分26秒夺冠，表现同样出色。
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