Yoma Yangon International Marathon sees mass turnout

20 January 2019
Yoma Yangon International Marathon sees mass turnout
Photos: Yoma Yangon International Marathon

Myanmar’s largest participatory running event, the Yoma Yangon International Marathon (YYIM), was held for the seventh time this morning in Myanmar’s commercial capital. 

More than 8,000 local and international runners took part across four categories – 42km Full Marathon, 21km Half Marathon, 10km Challenge and 3km Fun Run-Walk, according to a press release 20 January.

YYIM is jointly organised by Yoma Strategic Holdings Ltd., First Myanmar Investment Public Company Limited and Yangon City Development Committee. Race participants were spurred on by members of the public and YYIM volunteers along the race route, as well as at the start and finish line at Thuwunna National Indoor Stadium.

The first of the four race categories, the 42km Full Marathon, was flagged off at Thuwunna National Indoor Stadium at 5am by Guests of Honour U Maung Maung Soe, Mayor of Yangon City Development Committe, Dr. Mya Lay Sein, Deputy Minister for Health and Sports Ministry, U Zaw Aye Maung, Rakhine National Affairs Ministry, Labour Affairs Ministry and Immigration Ministry, U Tun Tun, Chief Operating Officer, First Myanmar Investment and U Linn Myaing, Director of First Myanmar Investment.

In the Men's Full Marathon, Peter Ket (Kenya) finished first with a time of 2 hours 30 minutes 13 seconds (02:30:13). Close behind in second was Hillary Kipkering (Kenya), with a time of 2 hours 31 minutes 36 seconds (2:31:36) while Enockkipchirchir Kigen (Kenya) came in third with a time of 2 hours 33 minutes 37 seconds (02:33:37).

In the women’s Full Marathon, Margaret Wangui (Kenya) took home the title after clocking 2 hours 52 minutes 35 seconds (2:52:35) to clinch gold. Finishing behind her in second place Mercy Jelimo (Kenya) with a time of 3 hours 2 minutes 12 seconds (3:02:13).  In third was Myint Myint (Myanmar) with a time of 3 hours 5 minutes 5 seconds (3:05:05).

The second race category, the 21km Half Marathon, was flagged off by Guests of Honour U Zaw Aye Maung, Rakhine National Affairs Ministry, Labour Affairs Ministry and Immigration Ministry, U Kyaw San, Deputy Director General of Health and Sport Ministry, Daw Hlaing Maw Oo, Secretary of Yangon City and Minister for Development and U Linn Myaing, Director of First Myanmar Investment.

In the Men's Half Marathon Challenge, Joseph Mwangi (Kenya) came in first place with a time of 1 hour 6 minutes 23 seconds (01:06:23).

The Women’s Half Marathon saw Julia (Kenya) finish first with a time of 1 hour 19 minutes 58 seconds (01:19:58).

The 10km Challenge was flagged off by representatives from the Ministry of Health and Sports, Myanmar and representatives from Yoma Group.

In the Men's 10km Challenge, James Jkahura (Kenya) led the field and claimed first place with a time of 30 minutes 59 seconds (30:59). Nan Mon Kyi (Myanmar) came in first in the Women's 10km Challenge, recording a time of 40 minutes 38 seconds (40:38).