KL Marathon worst among global 42K races

The Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon scored just 3.69 over 10—the lowest score out of 81 marathons worldwide. (Facebook)

One of Malaysia’s biggest marathons, the Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon, has been ranked dead last in a global ranking of major marathons.

According to the ranking by The Sole Supplier, a UK-based trainer review and news site, the Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon held 29 September scored just 3.69 over 10—the lowest score out of 81 marathons worldwide.

This was largely due to air pollution, a hot climate, slow average finish times and a lack of medical aid along the course, it said.

Other marathons at the bottom of the list include IDBI Federal Life Insurance New Delhi Marathon (second-worst) and StanChart’s Singapore marathon (third-worst).

In an article published on 27 November, The Sole Supplier said the ranking considers factors such as air quality, altitude, average finish times, average temperature and rainfall, starting entry fees, refreshment stations, medical aid and toilets, among others.

All top 10 placers in the KL men’s race were Kenyans, led by Victor Kipchirchir who won in 2 hours, 19 minutes and 41 seconds.

The women’s side was also dominated by Kenya, which accounted for the top six placers. Gladys Jepkemoi Chemwono prevailed in 2:36:45.

It was the same story in the half-marathon event, with Kenyans dominating the men’s top five and women’s top two.

The Sole Supplier warned that the Delhi and Singapore marathons should “also be approached with caution.”

Singapore’s iteration of the Standard Chartered Marathon was most recently criticized for choosing to hold the race on one of the busiest nights of the nation’s year-end holiday season.

The Singapore marathon, held at night for the first time on 30 November, caused hours of massive traffic gridlock in the city center. Needless to say, Singapore’s road users were not pleased. (Business Insider, CNA)