SCORE Marathon 2026 by AIA Vitality Releases Additional 300 Slots as Partner Lineup Takes Shape

Kuala Lumpur, May 4 - SCORE Marathon 2026 by AIA Vitality continues to build on its rise as Malaysia’s largest running event, with its upcoming edition in Putrajaya set to welcome 50,000 participants following strong demand. In response to the overwhelming interest, organisers have released an additional 300 race slots, with the announcement made during a press conference where the event’s key partners were unveiled ahead of its biggest edition yet this July.

Held at Lumi Tropicana in Petaling Jaya, the press conference was attended by Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation YB Datuk Chang Lih Kang, alongside key partners, event ambassadors and members of the media. The session also highlighted the event’s growing ecosystem, with organisers and stakeholders reinforcing their roles in powering what is set to be Malaysia’s largest running event, with a bid submitted to the Malaysia Book of Records.

AIA Vitality, which marks its fifth year as Presenting Sponsor, continues to play a central role in shaping the event’s growth while inspiring Malaysians to live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives. Among the key highlights is the addition of global sports brand adidas as the event’s Official Sportswear Partner, marking a significant step forward as the race continues to grow in both scale and overall experience.

The race will be held over two days for the first time at Dataran Putrajaya, with the 5km and 10km categories taking place on Saturday (July 18), followed by the 21km and 42km races on Sunday (July 19). Beyond its scale, the 2026 edition reflects a broader shift in Malaysia’s running landscape, with participation rising across all levels — from first-time runners to seasoned competitors.

Among those stepping up this year is YB Datuk Chang, who will be attempting his first half marathon after completing his longest distance of 10km last year. The competitive field will also feature notable names such as Singapore’s two-time SEA Games marathon gold medallist Soh Rui Yong, Malaysia’s Muhaizar Mohamed, a two-time SEA Games bronze medallist, and national half marathon record holder Prabudass Krishnan.

SCORE Sports Management chief executive officer Patricia Tan said the milestone reflects not only the growth of the event, but also the evolution of the running community. “Reaching 50,000 runners is a major milestone for us, but more importantly it reflects how the running culture in Malaysia has evolved. What we are seeing now is not just growth in numbers, but a shift in how people approach the sport — from first-time runners to those pushing for performance,” said Patricia.

“Delivering a race of this scale goes beyond just the organisers. It is very much a collective effort, and the strength of our partners plays a key role in shaping the overall experience for runners. Our long-standing partnership with AIA Vitality as our Presenting Sponsor continues to anchor the event’s purpose in promoting healthier lifestyles, while bringing adidas on board at this stage allows us to further elevate the overall race experience. We are equally grateful for the support of all our partners, whose contributions have been instrumental in shaping the event and championing a more active and healthy lifestyle. From our early days as a small-scale community run, to reaching 50,000 participants this year, the growth of SCORE Marathon reflects how the running community has evolved over time.”

SCORE is also placing a growing emphasis on technology and innovation to enhance the overall race experience and strengthen its ecosystem, with initiatives already being implemented across event operations and community engagement. “What we are building is not just a race, but an ecosystem that supports runners before, during and after race day — and strengthens the community. We also see technology and innovation playing a bigger role in shaping the future of sports, with AI elevating the overall runner experience. At SCORE, we are already progressing in this area — from seamless race pack collection using our HeyJom system to AI-powered face recognition, where runners can instantly retrieve their photos instead of scrolling through thousands of images. Beyond that, participation data and insights can also contribute towards building healthier, more active communities, in line with the vision of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.”

YB Datuk Chang said he is looking forward to taking on a new personal challenge at this year’s event. “Last year, completing a 10km race was already a personal milestone for me. This year, I am stepping up to my first half marathon at SCORE Marathon, which reflects how the event continues to inspire more Malaysians to challenge themselves. What is encouraging to see is how running is becoming part of everyday life for many Malaysians. Events like SCORE Marathon play an important role in making it accessible and motivating people to stay active. It is also good to see how SCORE Marathon continues to evolve, not just in scale, but also in how it integrates technology and innovation to enhance the overall experience. The use of digital platforms and data-driven solutions reflects how sports can benefit from advancements in technology.”

AIA Vitality anchors a strong lineup of supporting brands, alongside adidas, EVA Air, Etika Sdn Bhd, Aminovital, ATF Sports Taping, Hoe Pharmaceuticals (Counterpain), 7 Days Bread and Le Minerale, forming a comprehensive ecosystem that supports runners across performance, recovery, nutrition and overall race experience.

Chai Tze Siang, Chief Marketing Officer, AIA Malaysia said: “As Presenting Sponsor for the fifth consecutive year, we are proud to see SCORE Marathon continue to grow into a landmark event that unites Malaysians through the shared pursuit of healthier living. The milestone of 50,000 runners this year speaks not only to the scale of the event, but to the strong momentum behind Malaysia’s evolving health and wellness movement. Through AIA Vitality, we aim to make healthier choices more engaging, rewarding and sustainable, and SCORE Marathon remains a powerful platform to inspire positive lifestyle change at every stage of life. We look forward to continuing this journey with SCORE and our partners as we encourage more people to live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.”

The 2026 edition will also introduce the SCORE Double Challenge, allowing participants to compete in two races across two days, as well as a High Performance Category for runners targeting podium finishes. From a modest community run in 2014 with 3,674 participants, SCORE Marathon has grown into one of Malaysia’s leading running events, welcoming more than 159,000 runners across the past decade and steadily building its presence on the regional calendar.

SCORE Marathon 2026 by AIA Vitality is also a World Athletics Road Race Label event for the second consecutive year, with its course officially measured to AIMS standards, reinforcing its adherence to international benchmarks of accuracy and quality. With runners from over 55 countries expected to take part, SCORE Marathon 2026 by AIA Vitality continues to grow in stature as one of the region’s emerging destination races.

For updates, visit scoremarathon.com or follow @scoremarathon on Instagram and SCORE Marathon on Facebook.