AdminDataran Putrajaya was once again the epicenter of endurance sports as it hosted the 19th edition of the World’s Biggest Duathlon, POWERMAN Malaysia 2024, now presented by JAECOO. This year’s event was particularly notable for its record-breaking international turnout and the introduction of JAECOO as a new presenting partner.
Over 4,000 athletes, both hobbyists and elites, from more than 30 countries converged on Malaysia’s administrative capital to compete in the iconic run-bike-run duathlon. Participants tackled various distances, including the Classic category (10km run, 60km bike, and 10km run) and the Short category (5km run, 30km bike, and 5km run). The event also featured three POWERKIDS categories, catering to young athletes aged 6 to 15, and included 20 children with physical disabilities and special needs, who were enthusiastically supported by the crowd.
The flag-off for the POWERMAN Elite, Classic, and Short categories was officiated by YB Hannah Yeoh, Minister of Youth and Sports of Malaysia, alongside other dignitaries including Y.Bhg Dato’ TPr. Fadlun Bin Mak Ujud, President of Putrajaya Corporation, Emily Lek, Vice President of JAECOO Malaysia, and En. Mohammad Isa Abdul Halim, Director of Meeting & Support Incentives at Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB).
Elite Winners
John Leerams Chicano from the Philippines triumphed in the Elite male category with a time of 02:41:48, while Rendy Williams from the USA secured first place in the Elite female category, finishing at 03:09:34. Among the Malaysian competitors, Esther Joy Hong Li Chen, Muhammad Rabani Bin Hashim, and Nazri Muhamad finished in 2nd, 5th, and 6th place in their respective Elite categories, with times of 03:13:35, 02:58:41, and 02:59:24.
“This year, the event was taken to a new level as we welcomed JAECOO as our presenting partner,” said Jeffrey Ross, General Manager and Race Director of POWERMAN Malaysia. “POWERMAN Malaysia is known as one of the most popular and successful annual sporting fixtures in the country, and we were proud to share the stage in 2024 with JAECOO. We had over 30 nationalities who participated in the 19th edition of the event, in what was a fiercely competitive race for the title of The World’s Biggest Duathlon, and we were thrilled to showcase the beauty of Putrajaya and its surroundings to all of our participants.”
Emily Lek, Vice President of JAECOO Malaysia, added, “The JAECOO brand embodies the traits of today’s fearless, trailblazing, and ambitious individuals. We were thrilled to have amplified this same spirit through our collaboration with POWERMAN Malaysia. Just as every athlete is fuelled by a desire to stand out in the most challenging conditions, JAECOO similarly stood out with its distinct design and performance for fans with active lifestyles who love the outdoors.”
JAECOO J7 Premium SUV debuts as race starter vehicle
Participants and visitors were also treated to a display of JAECOO’s latest vehicle, the JAECOO J7 premium SUV, which functioned as the race starter vehicle. Attendees had the opportunity to experience both the All-wheel Drive (AWD) and Two-wheel Drive (2WD) variants of the SUV.
The event wasn’t just about the races. POWERMAN Malaysia 2024 by JAECOO also featured a bustling three-day industry Expo, with over 50 exhibitors including Kahf, 100PLUS, Shimano, PURPOSE Performance Wear, Therabody, and Garmin showcasing their products. This made the event a must-attend for all stakeholders in the Malaysian running and biking communities.
As the dust settles on another successful edition of POWERMAN Malaysia, the event continues to cement its status as a premier fixture in the global duathlon calendar, celebrating athleticism, community, and the spirit of competition.
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