The Kuching Marathon returns for 2023 with major noticeable changes to its image and branding.
The Marathon will be held on Sunday morning, 1 October 2023 at the heart of Kuching City.
This will be the eight Kuching Marathon since it was organized way back in 2014.
New Kuching Marathon logo, brand and colour
Unlike previous years, Kuching Marathon 2023 will use a new logo and colours from 2023 onwards.
Kuching Marathon 2023 fees & categories
There are four vategories to choose from if you want to run during Kuching Marathon.
They include the 42KM Full Marathon category, 21KM Half Marathon Category, 10KM category and 5KM Category.
There is a minimum age limit for all categories, but those below 7 years old intending to join the 5KM category must be accompanied by a guardian above 21 years old or older.
Fees to participate in each category differ with the 42KM charged at RM130, the 21KM charged at RM110, the 10KM priced at RM90 and the 5KM charged at RM60.
Kuching Marathon 2023 tshirt and bip
The official tshirts for Kuching Marathon 2023 will come in three different colours.
The official running tee will be in yellow as seen below.
For those who complete the 42KM and 21KM, they will get the special black tshirt like below which will feature thei category they finished.
Meanwhile, the top 200 finishers for the 21KM and 42KM race will get green and terqoise shirts respectively as seen below.
These special edition tshirts have Top 200 21KM Finisher and Top 200 41KM Finisher emblazed on it’s front and back respectively.
The sizes of the tshirt are seen below.
Collection of the Kuching Marathon 2023 tshirt, bips and timing chips will be done at Majma Mall in Satok. All runners except those in the 5KM category will get a timing chip.
According to the organizers, tshirt sizes, BIP name as well as category cannot be changed once they have been ordered.
Bips and timing chips should be worn in front and replacements will not be entertained.
Collection of the tshirts, timing chips and bip will be at Majma Mall in Satok, Kuching, three days before the marathon. This puts it at 28 September 2023.
Representatives collecting on behalf of their friends must bring a copy of the person’s registration confirmation chit and present it at race pack collection centre. They will need to complete a Collection On Behalf Form before they can collect items on behalf of their friends.
The mall is seen below.
KM2023 running route map
The 2023 Kuching Marathon will cover both the Kuching North and Kuching South of the city.
The start point of all the categories will be at Padang Merdeka.
This full 42KM running route passes by plenty of Kuching’s attractions and landmarks.
Buildings and landmarks which could be seen through the route include the Satok Suspension Bridge, the iconic DBKU Headquarters, the Sarawak State Mosque, the Sarawak State Library and Park, the old State Legislative Building, the Sarawak Court House, the Darul Hana Mosque and Islamic Park, Kuching Park, MBKS Headquarters, Padungan road and the Kuching Waterfront.
The 21KM running route for Kuching Marathon 2023 goes through several villages, the Satok Suspension Bridge, the old State Legislative Building, the Sarawak Court House, the Darul Hana Mosque and Islamic Park, Kuching Park, MBKS Headquarters, Padungan road and the Kuching Waterfront.
The 10KM running routes only slightly goes over the Sarawak river enabling runners to go through a local village before it brings runners past the Satok Suspension Bridge.
From then on, the route goes through housing areas/village before returning back to Kuching’s commercial area, and passing the Kuching Waterfront, Kuching Floating Mosque and Sarawak Astana. This running route provides runners a rather average elevation.
The 5KM running route on the other hand doesn’t cross the Sarawak river, but keeps to the nearby village.
Despite that, it still passes through the Kuching Waterfront, Kuching Floating Mosque and Sarawak Astana.
All routes will take you through Kuching’s urban and semi-urban community, giving runners a peak at life in Kuching.
Kuching Marathon 2023 cut off time
For those wanting a finishers t-shirt, the cut-off time is as follows.
- 42KM Full Marathon – 7 hours
- 21KM Half Marathon – 4 hours
- 10KM Run – 2 hours 30 minutes
- 5KM Run – 1 hour 30 minutes
Kuching Marathon 2023 medals
For winners, they will receive specially designed medals for finishing and winning the race.
The medals were shown off by the KM2023 on their social media account and can be seen below.
Where to stay during Kuching Marathon
Five hotels come highly recommended if you are planning to run the Kuching Marathon.
These accommodations are recommended because they are less than 5 minutes from the flag off of the marathon (Padang Merdeka)
- The Waterfront Hotel Kuching (Located at the start/finish location)
- The Ranee Boutique Suites (A couple of minutes to by foot to start/finish)
- Merdeka Palace and Suites (5 star hotel by foot to start/finish)
- QuiikCat (Hostel stay about 5 minutes by foot to start/finish)
- Harbour View Hotel (About 5 minutes by foot to start/finish)
- Hornbill’s Nest (Hostel stay about 5 minutes by foot to start/finish)
Technically most hotel within Kuching City isn’t too far from Padang Merdeka where the marathon is flagged off.
Padang Merdeka is located in the centre of Kuching City. The full list of Kuching hotels (including budgets ones) can be found here.
More information on KM2023
For more information on KM2023 or related items, feel free to check the links below.
