A 16-year-old track prodigy has stolen the spotlight at this morning’s SCORE Marathon 2026 Presented by AIA Vitality, defying expectations to claim the overall 10KM title. Muhd Haziq Bin Mohd Hairol Izmi, representing SMK Bandar Baru Bangi, broke the tape with a blistering chip time of 35:31, outpacing a highly competitive field of senior runners.

Entering the race, the junior category athlete had modest expectations. However, maintaining an aggressive average pace of 3:23 per kilometre throughout the course, Haziq surged past older, more experienced competitors to secure the overall victory.

“I honestly didn’t target the overall win, just my age category. But it was my blessing today to finish first overall, and this is my personal best,” Haziq remarked following his decisive victory.

For Haziq, the victory was more than just a gold medal; it was a dish best served cold. At last year’s event, he suffered a heartbreaking finish when he was overtaken in the final stretch, forcing him to settle for second place overall.

This year, the script was flipped.

“First and foremost, I got my revenge on the runner who overtook me at the last minute last year,” Haziq said, revealing that he had managed to beat that exact same competitor to the finish line today. “Last year he cut me off at the very end. This year, I returned the favour. It was simply my day.”

The SCORE Marathon 2026 Presented by AIA Vitality serves as a critical milestone in Haziq’s athletic calendar. The teenager is currently gearing up to represent the state of Selangor at the upcoming Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA), where he will compete in the 5,000-metre track event.

“This is my final preparation before SUKMA,” he noted. “I am going to give my absolute best at the state level next. Since this is my first SUKMA, my target is primarily to gain experience. By the next SUKMA, I will be targeting a medal.”

Haziq’s rise in the distance running scene is no accident. He first laced up his running shoes seriously in Form 2. After facing a defeat at the district level, he made a firm resolution to improve and conquer the state level.

Running is also deeply embedded in his DNA. His father is a former athlete who represented the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and the state of Terengganu. Today, his father serves as a strict guiding force behind his son’s rigorous routine.

As a student-athlete, Haziq’s schedule is relentless. He trains six days a week, juggling academics, family responsibilities, and elite-level conditioning.

“After morning school and studying, I pick up my younger sibling around 5:30 PM, and then head straight to training,” Haziq explained. “I usually don’t get back until 7:00 or 8:00 PM. My dad is very strict; I have to maintain extreme discipline with my diet and my rest. I also only focus on this one sport, as my dad doesn’t allow me to play anything else.”

That laser focus has already yielded impressive results, including a gold medal in the 1,500m at the MSSM Athletics Championships and a silver at the MSSM Cross Country last year.

Looking ahead, the young champion, who counts national distance runners Haziq Hamzah and Muhaizar Mohamad as his idols, has his eyes set on an even bigger stage.

“My ultimate dream is to represent Malaysia in the 5,000-metre and 10,000-metre events at the highest international levels,” he said.

If today’s dominant 35-minute masterclass is any indication, Muhd Haziq is well on his way to turning that dream into a reality.