Sustainability plays huge role in upcoming KL marathon

The race has already received the prestigious Road Race Label by World Athletics, making KLSCM the first running event in Malaysia to receive such recognition.

To reduce carbon footprint and waste, runners will be encouraged to use reusable water bottles rather than paper cups, and raise awareness of the value of recycling and waste reduction.

The event's new apparel partner had also guaranteed that every item of clothing it produces is from the greenest materials and technologies, including recycled yarns, non-dying and biodegradable fabrics, and complete with traceability.

As is the norm for KLSCM, runners can choose a charity for its ‘Run For A Reason (RFAR)’ programme.

Among the official charity partners for this year's edition are Dignity for Children Foundation, Hospis Malaysia, Kechara Soup Kitchen Society and Reef Check Malaysia (RCM).

RCM is part of the worldwide Reef Check network -  an NGO that monitors 323 coral reefs around the country and is actively involved in reef management and conservation.

In its 2022 annual report released last month, RCM said it removed 36,664kg of trash from beaches and underwater environments. Of that number, 7,221kg were ‘ghost nets’ – fishing nets abandoned, lost, or discarded.

It also collected an additional 112,878kg of waste from island communities. It managed to recycle 43,330kg of that amount.

Sources: Twentytwo13 & KL Marathon