KUALA LUMPUR — The 18th edition of the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon (KLSCM) has officially sold out its domestic registration slots. Public registration for the event opened at 10:00 AM on March 2, and in a demonstration of the event’s massive popularity, all available slots for Malaysian residents were claimed in just over five hours.
The rapid sell-out follows a priority registration period that began on February 23 for eligible runners, the Corporate Challenge, and participants in the “Run For A Reason” (RFAR) programme. Scheduled for October 3 and 4, 2026, the marathon continues to be the most anticipated fixture on the Malaysian running calendar.
Opportunities Remain for Charity and International Runners
While general domestic slots are exhausted, Dirigo Events, the owner and organizer of KLSCM, has confirmed that pathways still exist for those eager to participate. Individual runners can still secure a place by registering under the RFAR charity initiative, which allows participants to raise funds for five official beneficiaries: Standard Chartered Foundation, Hospis Malaysia, Kechara Soup Kitchen, Teach For Malaysia, and Yayasan Jantung Kongenital Malaysia.
Additionally, companies looking to foster team spirit can still enter the KLSCM Corporate Challenge, a competitive platform that also serves as a fundraising vehicle for the RFAR programme.
A Focus on Visit Malaysia 2026
In alignment with the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, the event is maintaining a strong focus on global participation. While local spots are gone, approximately 4,000 international slots remain available for non-Malaysian residents. These will remain open until July 31, 2026, or until the capacity is reached.
“We are grateful to the running community for their incredible response and support,” said Rainer Biemans, Director of Dirigo Events and Project Director of the KLSCM. “The running community’s standards have improved tremendously over recent years, and KLSCM is proud to provide an international platform to showcase that ability. We hope to see more runners raise their personal bars on their way to becoming champions.“
Event Support and Partnerships
The 2026 marathon is supported by a robust network of sponsors and government bodies. Standard Chartered Malaysia returns as the title sponsor, joined by Gold sponsors ASICS and IHH Healthcare. Official partners for the 18th edition include 100 Plus, Counterpain, High5 Nutrition, Seiko, and TudungPeople.
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The event also receives critical support from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Malaysia Athletics, World Athletics, and the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), alongside several federal ministries and highway authorities to ensure a world-class experience for the tens of thousands of participants expected in October.
