Kuching Marathon 2020 cancelled

KUCHING: The Kuching Marathon 2020 (KM2020), scheduled for Aug 16, has been cancelled due to concerns over Covid-19 pandemic.

The Kuching Marathon Association (KMA) said the decision was made after careful consideration and in the best interests of all stakeholders, adding that there was still much uncertainty surrounding the health crisis.

“The health and safety of our participants, volunteers, officials from the Sarawak Government, sponsors, partners, service providers, Police, Malaysian Army, Rela, DBKU, MBKS, medic team consisting of Sarawak State Health Department, Sarawak General Hospital, Military Medic, Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia, Angkatan Pertahanan Awam, St John Ambulance and Malaysian Red Crescent Society are our top priority.

“All registered participants of KM2020 in the categories of Full Marathon, Half Marathon and 10KM run will have their registration automatically deferred to Kuching Marathon 2021 ( KM2021) which will take place on August 8, 2021,” it said on its official Facebook page yesterday.

Those Full Marathon participants of KM2020 registered via GBS2020 online registration portal will also have their registration automatically deferred to KM2021.

“We are unable to accommodate any request for refund but when KM2021 is open for online registration, participants will be allowed to transfer registration should they not be able to take part in KM2021.

“Participants will also be allowed to upgrade category (by topping up the differential sum between the two different categories) or downgrade category (with no refund of the differential sum) and change of other details,” KMA added.

In the event that the organising of GBS2021 is confirmed by GBS partners, the Full Marathon participants of KM2020 will be allowed to upgrade to GBS2021 by topping up the differential sum.

KMA also thanked all those concerned for their great understanding and support.

For more information, visit KMA official Facebook page at https:// www. facebook. com/ KuchingMarathonAssociation.

Meanwhile, the participants supported the decision to cancel the event and were not surprised by the move.

“Thanks for the official announcement since we already expected the outcome of the event,” said Pete Bujang.

“It’s tough for everybody but then public health is number one priority at the moment. In 2021 we shall see each other,” he added.

“Alhamdulillah. Good decision by KM organisers. See you next year,” said Faizul Samat.

Another participant Erul Reza felt that the cancellation of the event was for the best and hoped that everything will be alright next year.

File photo shows participants before the start of the Kuching Marathon 2019 at Padang Merdeka.

— AFP photo Players vie for the ball as fans are streamed live on to the screens on the sidelines during the 3F Super League football match between AGF and Randers FC at Ceres Park in Aarhus, Denmark as the season resumed following a two-month absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic.