Penang Bridge Marathon 2026: Date, Venue & Route

The Penang Bridge International Marathon returns on 13 December 2026, and registration has already closed. Whether you are gunning for a personal best or simply want to tick off one of Southeast Asia's most memorable race experiences, here is everything you need to know before race day on 13 December 2026.

Key Takeaways

• Penang Bridge Marathon 2026 takes place on 13 December 2026 at ASPEN Vision City, Bandar Cassia, Batu Kawan.
• The race runs on the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge (the second Penang bridge), starting and finishing at Batu Kawan.
• Four categories are available: Full Marathon (42KM), Half Marathon (21KM), IHH PBIM 10KM Run, and Fun Run.
• The full marathon flags off at 1:30am, the half marathon at 3:00am, and the 10KM run at 6:30am.
• Finisher medals and tees are awarded on cutoff times: 7 hours for the full marathon, 3 hours 30 minutes for the half marathon, and 1 hour 30 minutes for the 10KM.
• Race pack collection now runs across three venues between 27 November and 12 December.
• Registration closed on 31 August 2026, with entries already past 21,000 by early August.

Penang Bridge International Marathon History

The Penang Bridge International Marathon (PBIM) has been part of Malaysia's sporting calendar since 1982, when it first ran as a road race from Esplanade to Gurney Drive. The race made its way onto the iconic Penang Bridge in 1986, shortly after the bridge opened, and the full marathon category was added in 1998. Since then, it has grown into one of the largest mass-participation sporting events in the country, drawing runners from over 70 countries.

From 2024, the marathon entered a new phase. The race relocated to Batu Kawan and now runs across the second Penang bridge, with ASPEN Vision City as the start and finish point. In 2025, PBIM drew about 23,000 runners, and organisers set a 2026 target of 23,000 to 25,000. Organisers have also said the race is likely to stay on the second bridge for the foreseeable future because of Mutiara Line LRT construction on Penang Island.

2026 also brings a step up in status. PBIM joined the Abbott World Marathon Majors Age Group World Rankings this year, and its full marathon distance is AIMS certified. In August, the organisers signed an agreement with Malaysia Athletics and the Penang Amateur Athletic Association to work toward a World Athletics Label Road Race designation.

The event is organised by the Penang State Tourism Development office and fully supported by the Penang State Government, as part of the broader Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.

Penang Bridge International Marathon 2026 Event Details

Race Date: 13 December 2026 (Sunday)

Venue: ASPEN Vision City Central Park, Jalan Vervea 6, Bandar Cassia, 14110 Batu Kawan, Penang

Race Pack Collection:

• 27, 28, and 29 November 2026: 11:00am to 7:00pm at Klippa Shopping Centre (IKEA Batu Kawan)
• 4, 5, and 6 December 2026: 11:00am to 7:00pm at Aspen House, Jalan Macalister, George Town
• 10 & 11 December 2026: 11:00am to 7:00pm at Aspen Vision City, Batu Kawan
• 12 December 2026: 9:00am to 2:00pm at Aspen Vision City, Batu Kawan

Registration: Register here. Limited slots available.

Race Categories

Penang International Bridge Marathon 2026 have four categories to accommodate runners at every level:

Runners in these three categories receive a running vest, and a finisher tee and medal if they finish within the cutoff. The finisher shirt was developed with Brooks Malaysia, and the medal was made by Penang-based EMICO.

New for 2026 are two Elite Runners categories: the Full Marathon Challenge, capped at 500 runners, and the Half Marathon Challenge, capped at 1,000. They come with stricter qualifying times, and cash prizes are reserved for these categories only.

By early August, entries stood at more than 5,000 for the full marathon, over 10,500 for the half marathon, and more than 6,000 for the 10KM.

Source: penangmarathon

The Route

The race starts and finishes at ASPEN Vision City in Batu Kawan. Runners cross the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge, which at 24km is one of the longest bridges in Southeast Asia, with the turnaround point located at Batu Maung on Penang Island.

The race starts and finishes at ASPEN Vision City in Batu Kawan. Runners cross the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge, which at 24km is one of the longest bridges in Southeast Asia, with the turnaround point located at Batu Maung on Penang Island.

The course is largely flat, but the open bridge stretch leaves you fully exposed to wind, particularly in the early morning hours. Organisers say water stations will be placed every two to three kilometres this year, and medical coverage involves the Malaysian Red Crescent, St John Ambulance, CDERT and Penang Hospital, backed by Pantai, Gleneagles and Island Hospital. Runners who cannot make the cutoff will be picked up by sweep buses.

Running Tips for Penang Bridge Marathon

• Train for the bridge. The Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge is long and flat, so your training should include long stretches of flat road running. A hilly programme will not carry over here.
• Prepare for the wind. Running across an open bridge in the early morning hours means unpredictable headwinds. A light long-sleeve layer for the full and half marathon categories is worth considering, particularly for the first hour before temperatures rise.
• Collect your race pack early. With three collection venues, pick the one closest to where you are staying. Avoid leaving it to 12 December, when collection closes at 2:00pm and queues can be long.
• Know your cutoff time. Finisher medals and tees are only awarded within the qualifying time for your category, so plan your pacing in advance.
• Sort out race morning transport now. Parking at Batu Kawan fills up fast, and official parking details are still to be announced. Do not leave your plan until the week of the race.

FAQs

When is the Penang Bridge International Marathon 2026?
The Penang Bridge International Marathon 2026 takes place on 13 December 2026 (Sunday). The race starts and finishes at ASPEN Vision City in Bandar Cassia, Batu Kawan.

Where does the Penang Bridge Marathon 2026 start and finish?
The start and finish area is at ASPEN Vision City Central Park, Batu Kawan. Runners then cross the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge, also known as the Second Penang Bridge.

What time does the Penang Bridge Marathon start?
The full marathon starts at 1:30am, the half marathon at 3:00am, and the 10KM run at 6:30am. Because the full marathon starts in the middle of the night, runners should arrange their transport to Batu Kawan well in advance.

Is Grab available at night for the Penang Bridge Marathon?
Grab operates in Penang, but availability can be harder to find during the early hours of the morning, particularly when large numbers of runners are travelling to the same starting area. The 1:30am full-marathon start also means demand may be concentrated around race time. Runners relying on ride-hailing should plan ahead and allow extra time rather than assuming a car will be immediately available. If you want more control over your departure time and transport throughout race weekend, renting a car in Penang is another option to consider.

How do I get to Batu Kawan for the Penang Bridge Marathon?
The race starts at ASPEN Vision City in Batu Kawan. Your transport options will depend on where you are staying, but runners should allow additional time for race-day traffic, road closures and parking arrangements. If travelling with family or a running group, a rental car can also provide flexibility for getting to the race, carrying equipment and travelling around Penang after the event.

What can I do in Penang after the marathon?
If you're staying beyond race day, you can explore George Town, Penang Hill, The Habitat Penang Hill, Entopia, Escape Penang, Tropical Spice Garden and other attractions around the island. Staying an extra day can give you time to recover before sightseeing.

Getting Around Penang for PBIM 2026

Transport is one of the practical details worth sorting out before Penang Bridge International Marathon weekend. The race starts and finishes at ASPEN Vision City in Batu Kawan, while race-pack collection is spread across Batu Kawan and George Town. For runners staying on Penang Island, that means crossing between different parts of Penang before race day and potentially making a very early journey to Batu Kawan on marathon morning.

Public transport and ride-hailing can work for some parts of the trip, but the 1:30am full-marathon flag-off makes race-morning transport a different proposition. You need to reach the starting area early, allow time for parking or drop-off arrangements, and have enough flexibility to deal with road closures and changes to access around the event.

For runners travelling with family, running groups, luggage or race equipment, a rental car can make the logistics considerably simpler. You can choose where to stay, collect your race pack when convenient, leave for Batu Kawan on your own schedule and use the same vehicle for sightseeing after the race.

What to Do After the Race

Eat well first. Yusuf Restaurant Vervea is about 2km from the ASPEN Vision City starting point and serves some of the best nasi kandar in Penang, which is exactly what you want after burning through several thousand calories on the bridge. Go early before it gets busy.

Explore Penang. Race day falls on a Sunday, so stay through Monday if you want a full day of sightseeing. Georgetown is less than 30 minutes from Batu Kawan, and its heritage zone has street art, pre-war shophouses, and hawker stalls that are hard to find elsewhere. Penang Hill takes about an hour each way. These Penangbook attractions are also worth adding to your list:

Planning to drive around Penang during your race weekend? Explore Penang car rental options with Penangbook and arrange your vehicle before you arrive. If you're continuing your trip to another destination after PBIM, you can also look at one-way car rental from Penang for greater flexibility with your onward journey.

Car Rental for Penang Bridge Marathon

If you're staying in Penang for PBIM weekend, Penang car rental is worth considering as part of your race-day planning. A rental gives you one vehicle for the full trip rather than arranging separate rides for the airport, race-pack collection, race morning and sightseeing. With Penangbook, you can [check car rental options in Penang] before your trip and choose a vehicle based on your group size, luggage and itinerary.

For PBIM runners, the main advantages are flexibility and control:

Race weekend need and How a rental car helps

• Race-pack collection: Travel to the Batu Kawan or George Town collection venue on your own schedule
• 1:30am full-marathon start: Leave for Batu Kawan when you need to rather than waiting for a ride
• Family or running group: Keep everyone and their race gear together in one vehicle
• Luggage and equipment: Avoid carrying bags between multiple transfers
• Post-race sightseeing: Continue around Penang without arranging another ride
• Staying outside Batu Kawan: Have more flexibility when choosing accommodation

Conclusion

PBIM 2026 is shaping up to be the biggest edition yet, now carrying Abbott World Marathon Majors ranking status and a push toward a World Athletics Label. Registration is closed, so the focus now is preparation: collect your race pack early, settle your race morning transport, and give yourself at least one extra day to see Penang