11th Kuching Marathon targets 16,000 runners across 40 countries

During the press conference held earlier today at the Sarawak State Legislative Building.

KUCHING, 13 May 2026: The 11th edition of the Kuching Marathon will be held this September 27, 2026 at Padang Merdeka in Kuching, taking runners through an illuminating run through Kuching City’s rich cultural and colonial history expressed in its unique architectural buildings and landmarks.

A total of 16,000 runners across 40 countries are targeted for this year’s edition, and with members of the police, medical team, uniform bodies, volunteers and helpers, the total number of participants is expected to exceed 20,000. So far, 8,000 runners have signed up for the annual marathon, as announced by the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP), Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah in a press conference earlier today. 

(From left) Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Datuk Sebastian Ting checking out the new singlet and round-neck running apparel.

The first road race in Sarawak recognised by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), the Kuching Marathon was first inaugurated on August 17, 2014, and has become the biggest mass running and marathon event on the island of Borneo. The annual event has a total of 4 categories, namely the Full Marathon, the Half Marathon, as well as the 10KM Run and the 5KM Fun Run respectively.

For the first time ever, participants will be presented with options for their running attire – a round-neck tee or a singlet, available in both male and female cutting. The finisher medals and shirts were also unveiled during the press conference.

The 2026 Kuching Marathon is made possible thanks to car sponsor, Ghee Hua, venue partner Plaza Merdeka Shopping Mall, apparel sponsor SPIN, logistics partner Pos Malaysia, fitness wearable partner Garmin, event management partner T.E.E.M Event & Exhibition Management, creative hub Lee Ming Press and in-kind sponsor, Lee Fah Mee and Khong Huan Biscuit. 

Also present during the press conference, MTCP Deputy Ministers, Datuk Snowdan Lawan and Datuk Sebastian Ting, MTCP Permanent Secretary, Morshidi Fredrick, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak, Dzulkornain bin Masron, Kuching Marathon Association President, Wong Chen Yi and Race Director, Liew Tang Chieh. 

For more information, visit https://www.marathonkuching.com/

A total of 4 categories will be contested at the 2026 Kuching Marathon, namely the Full Marathon, the Half Marathon, as well as the 10KM Run and the 5KM Fun Run.