By Amanda L
KUCHING, Dec 13: A group of Sarawakian elite marathon runners heading to the Taipei Marathon on Dec 21 say their bid to surpass Miri-born Mohd Jironi Riduan’s two hours 39 minutes marathon record is motivated by inspiration rather than rivalry.
Andy Yeo described Jironi’s 2016 record in the Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon (SCKLM) as a long-standing benchmark for Sarawak distance runners and a standard they continue to aspire to.
“For us, the record is not a target but a source of inspiration. It motivates us to see how far Sarawak runners can go,” he said at a press conference announcing Hock Seng Lee’s (HSL) sponsorship of Sarawak’s elite runners at HSL Tower in Kota Samarahan today.
He added that merely attempting to challenge the time already holds significance for the team.
Yeo noted that Mohd Jironi’s achievement continues to inspire younger runners, particularly after the former Miri Sukma coach openly shared his marathon history and personal best times.
Returning to the Taipei Marathon where he previously recorded a personal best, Yeo said this year’s race carries added meaning as he and his teammates prepare to test their limits together under more favourable conditions.
Dr Owen Tan, who has been running competitively for about a decade, stressed that marathon running extends beyond physical training and demands strong mental resilience.
“Marathon preparation is not just about running long distances. It involves discipline, recovery, nutrition and mental conditioning, all while balancing work and daily commitments,” he explained.
Tan added that his training regimen includes weekly mileage of between 110 and 120 kilometres, with close attention to pacing and physical cues. He believes Taipei’s cooler climate could give Sarawak runners, who typically train in hot and humid conditions, an advantage.
“The key challenge will be controlling the early pace and sustaining it over the full 42 kilometres,” he said.
Another elite runner, Alpha Lim, shared that competing in Taipei has long been an ambition, citing the race’s reputation for cool weather, flat routes and strong crowd support.
“With these conditions, I hope not only to achieve a personal best but also to see everyone on the team perform at their best,” she added.
The runners emphasised that regardless of the outcome, the attempt itself reflects Sarawak’s growing presence in long-distance running and their collective respect for the legacy set by Jironi’s record.
Also present during the press conference were HSL’s marketing and communication lead Abraham Tiong, as well as runners Jeremy Yeo and Sunny Jong.
According to World Athletics, Mohd Jironi is an accomplished athlete who has participated in international competitions, including the SEA Games, Asian Championship, and Universiade (now known as the FISU World University Games). — DayakDaily
