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Syed Saddiq activates ballot winners selection for Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2019

A new chapter has dawned on the increasingly popular Standard Chartered KL Marathon when for the first time in its history, public registrations were conducted using a ballot system.

Successful applications were confirmed when Minister of Youth and Sports Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman officially activated the random computerised selection here today.

The Standard Chartered KL Marathon has seen phenomenal growth over the last decade with the 10th Anniversary edition in 2018 seeing the highest attendance to date of over 38,000 participants. Public registrations for the 2018 event were snapped up within 10 hours of opening, leaving a lot of disgruntled runners who didn’t get a chance to register due to a variety of reasons, such as network congestion and poor internet connections.

YB Syed Saddiq, Minister of Youth and Sports (center) activates the SCKLM2019 ballot selection process with Rainer Biemans, Project Director of SCKLM and Director, Dirigo Events (left) and Abrar A. Anwar, MD and CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia (right)

This year saw a significant increase in loyalty registrations, where returning 2018 runners were given the privilege of signing up and securing their slot before registrations opened to the general public. Almost two thirds of the available slots were snapped up during this period leaving slightly over 12,000 slots across all categories remaining for public registrations.

“Since 2016, the take-up during the loyalty registrations consistently yielded about 40-45% of overall slots available. This year we were caught by surprise when the loyalty registration period saw more than 60% of available slots snapped up, which is why we have had to implement balloting for public registrations,” said Rainer Biemans, Project Director of SCKLM and Director of Dirigo Events, the owners and organisers of the multi-award winning event.

“This way, everyone gets an equal chance to secure a race entry and will not be hindered by network or work issues.” said Rainer.  He also mentioned that moving forward, the balloting process would most probably be implemented right from the loyalty registration period.

Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman was given the honour to activate the random computerised ballot selection process whereby ballot winners were picked and immediately notified of their selection.

L-R Rainer Biemans, YB Syed Saddiq, Abrar, A. Anwar, and Dato’ Karim Ibrahim, President of MAF

“It’s certainly a privilege to be involved with the premier distance running event in Malaysia. I have truly been inspired by the hard work undertaken by SCKLM to develop the sport of distance running by consistently putting on a world class event that attracts more than 38,000 participants from Malaysia and around the world,” said theYouth and Sports Minister.

“While the competitive aspect of SCKLM has provided talented Malaysian runners like Leo Tan and Muhaizar Mohamad with the platform to perform alongside elite international runners and raise their game, the heart-warming aspect of SCKLM is the commitment placed on making a difference through the Run For A Reason charity initiative,” he added.

“In fact I have decided to accept Dirigo Events invitation to participate in the Half Marathon for SCKLM2019 and if my preparations go well, I hope to do something to be able to give back to the running community too.” said Syed Saddiq.

The 2019 edition of SCKLM was given a boost late last year when Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia renewed their title sponsorship of the event for a further four (4) years. The Bank has been a steadfast supporter of the event since its inception in 2009 and is a major factor behind its success.

“We are delighted to resume our title sponsorship of the KL Marathon. The past 10 years of our sponsorship has shown us the amazing power this event has to bring people from all walks of life together to do extraordinary things. SCKLM has grown from strength to strength and is now one of the most sought after events in Malaysia and the region,” said Abrar A. Anwar, Managing Director and CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia.

Charity programme Run For A Reason (RFAR) has been an integral component of SCKLM which has benefitted and improved the lives of thousands of Malaysians over the last 10 years. For 2019, the charity beneficiaries are the National Cancer Society of Malaysia, Hospis Malaysia and Dignity For Children Foundation.

SCKLM2019 will also see the inclusion of new sponsors Under Armour, Banana Boat, Jaybird and TudungPeople joining returning sponsor 100 PLUS and SCKLM stalwarts Seiko and Pacific Regency Hotel Suites.

For more information and updates on SCKLM, please visit:

  • Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/SCKLmarathon
  • Twitter : www.twitter.com/SCKLmarathon
  • Instagram : https://instagram.com/SCKLmarathon
  • Website : www.kl-marathon.com