PUTRAJAYA — A record-breaking field of 10,000 participants gathered at Anjung Floria last Sunday as the ninth edition of the annual Skechers Friendship Walk and Run 2026 concluded its largest event to date. The mass-participation event registered a 25% surge in attendance compared to the previous year, expanding its competitive structure with the official introduction of a debut 21km half marathon category alongside established shorter-distance tracks.
The multi-category running program served a dual purpose as a community fitness gathering and a corporate social responsibility drive. Following the conclusion of the competitive brackets, the organizing committee presented a corporate financial contribution of RM10,000 to the National Cancer Council of Malaysia, or MAKNA. The funding is earmarked to directly subsidize medical treatment costs and provide essential welfare assistance to underprivileged cancer patients and their families across the country.
Expanded Distance Tracks and Podium Results
The weekend schedule featured three distinct race categories tailored to accommodate different endurance levels and running backgrounds. The newly minted 21km Half Marathon Individual Run provided long-distance athletes with a challenging endurance course around the federal administrative center, while the 10km Competitive Individual Run returned to test intermediate speed and pacing strategy. A 5km Leisure Walk served as the inclusive, non-competitive division, drawing families, recreational walkers, and younger participants.
The flagship 21km half marathon division drew an experienced field of local distance runners. In the men’s Open category, Mohamad Nur Radzman captured the overall champion title by crossing the finish line in a time of 01:15:45, finishing ahead of closest competitors Muhammad Asyraf and Ahmad Sayuti. The women’s Open division was secured by Chew Jia Qi, who clocked a winning time of 01:30:42, while Chan Anne Sze and Tea Su Hua claimed the remaining positions on the podium. In the 21km Veteran classes, Muhamad Haniff B.M.Z won the men’s absolute title, while Tiffany Lee Siok Chin secured the women’s veteran honors.
The 10km competitive division witnessed high-velocity pacing across the shorter circuit. National distance runner Prabudass Krishnan dominated the men’s Open category, securing the top spot with a finishing time of 0:32:58, followed by Muhammad Haikal and Isaac Tan Zhen Wei. The women’s Open bracket was led by Nurul Juliana Shakira, who registered a winning mark of 0:40:25, holding off podium challengers Corinne Gunn Huey Min and Howe Shan Rou. The specialized 10km Veteran division titles were claimed by Suresh Sanggeetha for the men and Chua Mei Yin for the women.
Top finishers across the competitive 21km and 10km classes received a comprehensive prize framework consisting of RM1,000 in direct cash, a RM1,000 brand voucher, corporate product hampers, and a complimentary one-year supply of meals from O’Brien’s Irish Sandwich Café.
Community Welfare and Main Stage Highlights
The corporate partnership with MAKNA formed the ethical core of the ninth edition. Senior management representatives from the footwear brand officially handed over the symbolic donation check to MAKNA project leadership during a dedicated main stage protocol. Welfare officers noted that navigating chronic cancer therapies places a substantial financial strain on low-income households, and the event helped generate critical public awareness regarding the council’s ongoing patient support operations nationwide.
The post-race village at Anjung Floria integrated structured recovery and lifestyle activities for the returning thousands. Technical fitness crews from the Windrunners led systematic, guided flexibility and stretching sessions at the main stage area to assist the 21km and 10km distance runners with muscle recovery. This was immediately followed by a high-tempo Zumba session designed to maintain a celebratory community atmosphere for the arriving family groups and leisure walkers.
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The event village featured an interactive commemorative photo wall displaying the names of all 10,000 registered participants across the three active divisions, acting as a public tribute to the collective community growth of the event since its early 8,000-person iterations. The weekend activities officially concluded with a grand lucky draw presentation, where participant Yap Meng Siong was drawn to receive the top prize of a one-year supply of brand footwear.
