The Strategy of a Champion: Haikal Fauzi at Kangar City Half Marathon 2025
Haikal Fauzi approaches running as a process to be understood, not a performance to be flaunted. Each step is measured, each kilometre observed. Even when the rain fell and the course threatened rhythm, his focus remained on the fundamentals: pacing, breathing and the steady feedback of his own body.
At the Kangar City Half Marathon 2025, he transformed that focus into results. Covering 21.46 kilometres in 1:19:07, he finished first in the Men’s Open category and shaved a full minute off his previous personal best. “My feeling right after crossing the finish line was pure gratitude and happiness, because not only did I break my personal best, but I also finished strong unlike any other half marathon I’ve done before,” Haikal said.
For his third half marathon, preparation and course characteristics combined to unlock a new level of performance. “I think it’s probably because of the flat route and the full preparation in terms of recovery and training for this event,” he explained. The flat, steady course allowed him to maintain a consistent rhythm, reinforcing the deliberate control he cultivates in training.
Haikal ran the race alone, without a pack, relying on mental discipline as much as physical conditioning. “I just set my mindset to treat this race as a long run training, since I usually do my long runs on the 400m track sometimes even alone. Maybe that helped strengthen my mentality and kept me focused throughout the race,” he said. His strategy was equally methodical. “Basically, my strategy for this race was to start a bit faster in the first kilometre, then maintain my target pace of around 3:4+ until the finish line.”
Even when he glanced at the clock at the finish, he remained grounded in observation rather than triumph. “The first thing that came to my mind was surprise. I couldn’t believe I managed to go sub 1:20 while still feeling steady. Before this, even hitting 1:20 on a flat route would leave me completely drained. So, Alhamdulillah, I’m really grateful for the strength to finish strong and stay injury-free,” he said.
Physical preparation extended beyond training. Nutrition and recovery were integral to execution. “Yeah, that’s right. Before the race, I just took an energy gel and drank some electrolyte from DEVER. During the race, I took another gel at 8km and the last one at around 5km to go,” he explained. Environmental conditions demanded similar discipline. “Since the weather was really cold due to the rain, I had to take extra time to warm up properly before the race to make sure my body was fully ready. During the race, it was quite challenging because I had to run in the rain, so I just focused on keeping calm through the first 10km to avoid bonking later on.”
Haikal’s regimen is structured and deliberate, balancing the demands of athletics with professional life. “That’s right, as an athlete, we need to know how to manage our time well between training and studies. For me, I usually attend classes in the morning and train in the evening (just one session per day). On weekends, I train early in the morning, then spend the rest of the day with my family and friends,” he said.
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Looking forward, his goals remain precise and incremental. “For now, I want to focus on breaking my 10km personal best, aiming for a sub-34 and for the half marathon, hopefully to hit 1:16 next year, InshaAllah,” he said. Mental strength and self-awareness underpin this approach. “For me, mental strength and mindset are very important for an athlete to move forward, because the first battle is always within ourselves, not against others. We need to overcome our own limits to build positive progress and achieve success in the future.”
Even in reflection, Haikal distils the race to its functional essence. “Flat route. Because the course was smooth and steady from start to finish, perfect for finding rhythm and maintaining pace. The flat route made it easier to stay consistent, focus on breathing, and just enjoy the run without worrying about elevation.” In these words, the sport becomes a measured engagement with one’s own limits, an exercise in quiet observation and disciplined execution.
