Record Times Posted at HSL Samarathon 2026

The 2026 HSL Samarahan Marathon concluded on Sunday with fast times across several categories, as runners took advantage of cooler conditions and a familiar race route to set personal bests and possible course records.

Dennis Isika crossed the finish line in a scintillating one hour 16 minutes and 28 seconds, beating the 2025 record by Andy Yeo at one hour 20 minutes and 51 seconds. The women’s title went to Abigael Jerop, who posted an equally impressive time of one hour 27 minutes and 26 seconds.

SPENT: Runners of the 21km gave it their all. This year’s 2026 Samarahan Marathon produces route records and plenty of Personal Bests.

In the new national category, Syahrullah Safri once again came first in the men’s race with a time of one hour 16 minutes and 31 seconds, while Jia Qi Chew won the women’s race in one hour 33 minutes and 32 seconds.

HSL-sponsored athletes, including Sally Yap and members of Team Haolian, also delivered strong performances, taking 13 spots in the top 10 across various categories.

Meanwhile, the Best Costume awards went to Joyce Nyupeh, for a Halloween bunny costume, as well as Adrian Harun and Voon Kim Choon.

In total, the prize pool for the HSL-sponsored community event was close to RM50,000.

BANG!: The 2026 HSL Samarahan Marathon started at 4am with a sprint off the line. Over 2,000 runners race 21km, 10km, 6km and 3km, competing for almost RM50,000 in cash prizes.

Organisers attributed the faster times this year to cooler conditions, stronger competition and runners’ growing familiarity with the Samarahan course.

EMOTIONAL: A moment to regroup after the finishing line, for some of the fastest runners.

“2025 was extremely hot, and every runner suffered, from the professionals to the amateurs. This morning was much cooler, and everyone pushed harder from the start,” said HSL Realty director Yu Ji.

“The final two to three kilometres, which were inside La Promenade’s gated community, were absolutely breathtaking. You could see the concentration and determination on the runners’ faces as they pushed towards the finish line.”

City Jogger’s Club president Elizabeth Wong agreed that familiarity with the route helped runners’ pace themselves better.

“For the third time, Samarathon used the Tanjong Bako route. It is quite straight, with only two U-turns, so runners who have done it before knowing where to hold back, where to increase their pace, and where to accelerate,” Wong said.

“I think it is possible for even faster times next year.”

One of the winners, Andy Yeo, told reporters that Samarathon had become one of the highlight races in the region.

“As avid runners in Team Haolian, we take part in many races across Malaysia. I can confidently say that many of us really like the Samarahan course,” he said.

“I also thank HSL for improving the route every year. I have heard that next year, the organisers hope to cross the Sejingkat Bridge, connecting the Samarahan race route to Kuching North. That would be very exciting.”

The guest of honour at the prize-giving ceremony was Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who returned to observe the Samarahan race for the second time.

PACERS: The event’s guest-of-honour Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (middle, white cap) meets with the pacers of the 21km half marathon.

Datuk Seri Abdul Karim, who is also Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister, called on the running community, tourism players and the public and private sectors to continue working together to grow sports tourism in Sarawak.

“If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together,” he said.

The HSL Samarahan Marathon began in 2021, when the construction conglomerate first organised the HSL Fitness Weekend. That year’s half marathon was the first major road race held in Sarawak and Sabah after the Covid-19 pandemic.

KIDS: The family-friendly event always has entire families joining.

“We were really caught unaware by the response. It was our first time organising a running event, and we hardly knew anything. But 2,800 people came. We were floored,” said HSL marcom lead Abraham Tiong.

“That gave us the motivation to grow the half marathon into a full marathon by 2023.”

Tiong said HSL intended to continue improving the event, including a possible route update next year.

“Next year, we fully intend to update the full marathon route to include Sejingkat Bridge. It is going to be beautiful,” he said.

HAPPY: A group shot with all the winners, from fastest runners to best dressed winners at the conclusion of the 2026 HSL Samarahan Marathon.

“We also encourage every runner to scan the QR code in their e-guide and fill in the feedback form.

Constructive feedback is very important. It helps us know what to prioritise and improve for next year.”

The HSL Samarahan Marathon, also known as #Samarathon, is jointly organised by HSL, City Jogger’s

Club and Samarahan Municipal Council, drawing runners from Sarawak, across Malaysia and overseas.

Its hotel partners include Citadines Kuching and Rume Hotel.

For more info, visit hsl.com.my, lapromenademall.com.my, or search #Samarathon.