The scenic boulevards of Putrajaya turned into a battleground of endurance and spirit as 33,000 runners from 48 countries gathered for the SCORE Marathon 2025 by AIA Vitality, Malaysia’s flagship mass-participation race.
And stealing the show in a jaw-dropping debut was none other than national track and field athlete Sivaneshwaran Gunasegaran, who claimed victory in the 42km men’s full marathon.
In an event themed “Conquer Your Next Challenge,” Sivaneshwaran did exactly that — pushing beyond his limits in what was his first-ever full marathon.
Clocking in at 2:48:08, he surged ahead in the final kilometres to finish ahead of experienced local contenders Lim Kok Leong (2:51:00) and Muhamad Naqib Haikal Abdul Rahman (2:51:28).
“This is the first time I’ve registered for a full marathon,” Sivaneshwaran shared. “All I wanted was to qualify for a race in Vietnam this December — they needed a sub-three-hour finish. I didn’t even think I’d finish the race, let alone win it!”
A bronze medalist in the 10,000m at the 2018 ASEAN University Games, Sivaneshwaran had trained hard for months — combining long runs with strength training. His reward? A powerful win on one of Malaysia’s toughest marathon courses.
“The route is tough and hilly. If it had been flatter, I could’ve done a 2:30,” he added, pointing to the endurance and strategy required to conquer Putrajaya’s undulating terrain.
Women’s Division Victory for Malaysia’s Lee Siok Chin
In the women’s division, Lee Siok Chin took top honours with a time of 3:17:17, comfortably ahead of Vietnam’s Vu Khanh Linh (3:21:54) and local runner Diana Qistina Redza (3:35:53).
Meanwhile, in the 21km half-marathon, Wan Izzul Syahrulyuzi Wan Rusley and Nur Amelia Musa were crowned champions. The event also saw thousands more participate in the 5km and 10km fun runs, attracting runners of all ages and experience levels.
One of the notable names in the half-marathon was Khairy Jamaluddin, former Minister of Youth and Sports, who clocked in at 2:44:17. Reflecting on his run, Khairy acknowledged the tough course. “It’s a challenging route with a lot of inclines. People think Putrajaya is flat — it’s not!”
He also praised the marathon’s continued growth: “SCORE Marathon is now on the international stage. With 33,000 participants, it’s one of Malaysia’s biggest and best.”
SCORE Marathon 2025 : A Record-Breaking Edition with Global Recognition
This year marked the SCORE Marathon’s first edition as a World Athletics Label Road Race, a significant achievement that aligns it with global race standards.
It also served as a qualifying event for the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Rankings, offering elite and amateur runners a chance to gain global recognition.
Patricia Tan, CEO of Score Sports Management, reflected on the event’s success:
“This year’s SCORE Marathon was a celebration of endurance, unity, and the courage to take on new challenges. From elite athletes to weekend warriors, every participant brought the theme ‘Conquer Your Next Challenge’ to life.”
She continued, “The camaraderie and energy we witnessed today are what keep us going year after year.”
Beyond personal milestones and competitive spirit, SCORE Marathon 2025 continued its push for sustainability. The event recycled over 1,150kg of plastic, the equivalent of more than 46,000 bottles.
Finisher T-shirts were crafted from bio-based yarns by Pressio, while medals were made from recycled materials in partnership with local eco-innovator Natureloop.
The race village featured fitness activations, food trucks, sponsor booths, and community vibes that extended the celebration of wellness throughout the day.
Powering the Race: Partners and Sponsors
The event was supported by a strong line-up of partners including:
- 100 Plus (Official Hydration Partner)
- Pressio (Official Apparel Partner)
- Brooks (Official Footwear Partner)
- N8 (Official Energy Gel Partner)
- ATF Sport Taping, Counterpain, and HeyJom
- EVA AIR (Silver & 5KM Category Sponsor – debut year)
Training the Nation: Pre-Race Running Clinics
Leading up to race day, SCORE Marathon’s Running Clinic Tour took place at various locations across Klang Valley. These sessions helped runners — both new and experienced — prepare physically and mentally under the guidance of certified coaches.
From a stunning debut win by Sivaneshwaran Gunasegaran to the record-setting 33,000-strong crowd, SCORE Marathon 2025 by AIA Vitality was more than just a race. It was a powerful reminder of human potential, the joy of movement, and the unity that sport can bring.
As the sun sets on this year’s edition, one thing’s for sure — Malaysians and global runners alike will be eagerly awaiting the next challenge.
For further information, visit scoremarathon.com or follow @scoremarathon on Instagram and SCORE Marathon on Facebook.
Keywords:
- SCORE Marathon 2025
- AIA Vitality Malaysia
- Sivaneshwaran Gunasegaran marathon
- marathon Putrajaya
- running events Malaysia 2025
- Malaysian marathons
- marathon race winner 2025
- SCORE Marathon results
