Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon 2026

Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon (KLSCM) 2026 took place 3–4 October 2026 at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, for its 18th edition. Owned and organised by Dirigo Events Sdn Bhd and sanctioned by Malaysia Athletics, KLSCM attracted a record 43,800 registrations from 53 countries, including 3,600 international runners. It was awarded the World Athletics Elite Label, cementing its status as one of Malaysia's most significant running events.

Official race programme

Saturday 3 October featured the shorter distances. The IHH 10 km Speed, Cruise, Leisure and Corporate Challenge divisions started at 6:00 am Malaysia time; the 5 km Fun Run began at 7:45 am; the 800 m Kids Dash started at 10:00 am, and the 2 km Kids Dash at 10:20 am.

Sunday 4 October hosted the 42.195 km Full Marathon at 3:30 am and ASICS Half Marathon (21.0975 km) at 4:45 am. All events started and finished at Dataran Merdeka on Jalan Raja. The marathon allowed 7 hours 15 minutes, the half marathon 4 hours, the 10K Speed 1 hour 15 minutes, Cruise 1 hour 30 minutes, Leisure 2 hours, and the 5K Fun Run 90 minutes.

The city courses passed Kuala Lumpur landmarks, with the long course using central streets and sections of the AKLEH, MRR2 and DUKE expressways. Official 2026 route maps and the organiser's result archive remain available for runners to revisit their experience.

Major results and participation

The men's marathon was won by Ezekiel Kemboi of Kenya in 2:21:19, eight seconds ahead of defending champion John Nzau Mwangangi (2:21:27). Alemitu Ajema Lema of Ethiopia won the women's marathon in 2:39:29. Yeow Ni Jia topped the Malaysian men's category in 2:33:52, and Esther Joy Chen Hong Li won the Malaysian women's category in 3:05:22. KLSCM 2026 was also a preliminary qualifying event for Malaysia's 2027 SEA Games marathon selection.

On Saturday, the IHH 10 km Open winners were Muhammad Haziq Mohd Hairol Izmi (33:54) and Mercy Jebiwott (37:00). More than RM1.1 million had been raised for the event's Run For A Reason charities before race weekend, benefitting several community organisations.

Historical entry fees and participant arrangements

The main registration fees for Malaysian residents were RM150 full marathon, RM130 half marathon, RM100 IHH 10K and RM95 5K, plus RM55 for either Kids Dash. For non-Malaysian residents, these were respectively RM430, RM340, RM260, RM240 and RM110 per Kids Dash distance. Malaysian residency included eligible permanent residents and expatriates with permits; Malaysian citizens overseas were not included in the resident tariff. The Malaysian-resident 10K Corporate Challenge price was RM94.

Registration closed on 31 July 2026, or earlier when places sold out. The 2026 race is completed: fees are included as historical information only.

Race packs were collected at Hall 8, Level 2, Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) on 1–2 October, 11:00 am–9:00 pm, and 3 October, 10:00 am–7:00 pm (marathon and half-marathon runners only). They were not collected at Dataran Merdeka. Early morning LRT and MRT transport arrangements helped participants reach the venue. Eligible finishers earned event medals and downloadable certificates, and full marathon finishers received an additional finisher T-shirt.