30,000 Expected For KL Runfest 2025 At Bukit Jalil To Unite Clubs, Brands And Community

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- The country's rapidly growing running sports scene marks another milestone with the staging of the KL RunFest 2025, the first lifestyle running festival of its kind in Malaysia.

Organised by Unikorn Events Sdn Bhd, the expo from Nov 6 (today) to Nov 9 brings together more than 200 local and international sports brands, as well as uniting running clubs, entrepreneurs, and the active community under one roof at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim said the inaugural event is expected to attract more than 30,000 visitors, marking a significant leap in the country's sports industry.

“This is also one of the catalysts in our efforts to make sports activity a lifestyle for Malaysians, and we envision that the event can also contribute to the economy. We know that the sports economy is growing, with a value of RM100 million or US$25 million this year.

“Marathons and running events often generate a lot of economic spillovers. The presence of athletes from various corners of the world not only showcases our country as a host, but also highlights our hospitality which is a key attraction,” he said after officiating the KL RunFest 2025 here today.

The KL RunFest 2025 features two main pavilions, the Business Pavilion as an industry networking hub, and the Community Pavilion which will gather more than 80 local running clubs, as well as 16 inspirational sharing sessions by leaders from the sports community.

On Saturday (Nov 8), the KL RunFest 2025 will be enlivened with a community event, the KL RunFest Together-Gather Shake Out Run, which is expected to attract the participation of about 800 elite and amateur runners.

The free event covers a run of 3.5 to 5 kilometres (km), to be flagged off at 6.30 am from the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

The four-day festival will conclude with its signature event, the Mizuno KL RunFest S/Ekiden Team Relay (6.30 am) on Sunday (Nov 9), a 30-km relay race with each team of five runners having to complete 21 laps of the Bukit Jalil National Stadium track.

Meanwhile, KL RunFest 2025 co-founder Niklas Yong said the running industry is growing rapidly and the organisers aim to play a major role in driving this extraordinary momentum.

“The KL RunFest 2025 is an inclusive platform that brings together every part of the running ecosystem, from commercial brands to grassroots running clubs,” he also said.

Niklas added that with its combination of exhibitions, races and community activities, the KL RunFest 2025 will become the largest one-stop hub for fitness enthusiasts, fans of an active lifestyle and the running community, further energising the growth of the sport in Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA