Event was approved

Kuantan district police chief ACP Mohd Noor Yusof Ali said the 28-year-old driver lost control of her car during the “Run Out Pahang Marathon 2018”.

The injured runners were identified as Ahmad Fakhri Sulaiman, 31, Chua Yennie, 21, Nurul Huda Ahmad Razali, 33, and Haslinda Othman, 41.

Ahmad Fakhri suffered injuries to his head and left leg, Chua had injuries to her face and head, Nurul Huda was reported to have broken her right leg and Haslinda suffered injuries to her head, legs and left arm.

Ahmad Fakhri, Chua and Haslinda were sent to the International Islamic University Hospital while Nurul Huda was taken to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital.

The incident happened just three months after a similar crash claimed the life of runner Evelyn Ang.

Ang, 44, succumbed to her injuries on March 1 after she and two other runners were hit by a car during the Klang City International Marathon on Dec 10 last year.

The driver in Ang’s incident, identified as Teoh Thiam Lim, 28, was initially charged with reckless and dangerous driving on Feb 20, but later had his charge amended to causing death by reckless or dangerous driving on March 9.

Commenting on the latest case, runner Aaron Rogers said marathon organisers should tighten safety guidelines and security.

Another runner, Law Yi, said the organisers of the Kuantan event had not placed safety cones on some parts of the route.

The race, held in collaboration with the Pahang Athletics Association and Pahang Tourism Office, was reportedly organised by a Kuantan-based company that has been running similar events for the past five years.

Sports Commissioner Datuk Zaiton Othman said her office had approved the event, but added that her office has blacklisted a number of marathon organisers for failing to obtain permits or provide adequate safety measures at their events.

“We won’t approve a permit for organisers who fall in these categories.

“The organisers are responsible for the safety of the participants. They must be mindful of that.”

She said the Sports Commissioner’s Office will ensure organisers comply with a checklist to obtain a permit.

“Section 34 of the Sports Development Act ensures health and safety measures are put in place for participants, officials and spectators.

“It also sets the standards and qualifications for all participants and officials, and ensure they are in accordance with recognised rules and guidelines of all international governing and regulatory bodies for the particular sport,” she said.