In the true spirit of “Malaysia Boleh” and “Celebrating 50 Years of Nationhood”, Malaysian athlete, Mohd Hanizam bin Harun from the Malaysian Armed Forces became the first Malaysian to win the Malaysian International 24 Hours Walk, since it began in 2001. In the first three editions of the 24 Hour Walk, the winners were all from Europe. In addition, Malek bin Redone also of the Malaysian Armed Forces was placed second, with another Malaysian walker, Jagjit Singh finishing fourth. In the women’s section, Yap Wai Mun, the best Malaysian woman walker finished fifth. The above results were the best ever achieved by Malaysian walkers in the Malaysian International 24 Hours Walk event.

The Malaysian International 24 Hours Walk was first held in 2001 and is held biennially. The first three of the International 24 hours Walk were held in Genting Highlands. For 2007, the Race Walkers Association of Malaysia, decided to change the venue by organizing the 4th Malaysian International 24 Hours Walk event in Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur. The event was held from 8.00 a.m. on 11th August to 8.00 a.m. on 12th August 2007.

Dataran Merdeka or Independent Square is one of the oldest part of Kuala Lumpur, where the Secretariat Building is located. Opposite the Secretariat Building is the Royal Selangor Club, which was established in 1884. The course of the Walk was Jalan Raja, which is in front of the Secretariat Building and the former General Post office, to the road along the bank of the Klang River, which is behind the two buildings, a distance 0.625 km per lap.

The Hon. Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui, Minister of Plantation Industries & Commodities Malaysia and also the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the 4th Malaysian International 24 hours Walk, fired the starting pistol at 8.00 a.m. on 11th August 2007, thereby setting off the walkers for the 24 hours walk competition.

At exactly 8.00 a.m. on 12th August 2007, 24 hours after the start of the event, the Hon. Dato’ Liow Tiong Lai, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Malaysia fired the pistol to declare the 4th Malaysian International 24 hours Walk officially ended. He also presented the prizes to the winners.

A total of 290 walkers from 16 foreign countries and Malaysia participated in the Walk. In the Men’s section, Mohd Hanizam bin Harun and Malek bin Redone of the Malaysian Armed Forces were placed first and second, thus winning the prize money of RM10,000/= and RM6,000/= respectively. Vandenhoeck Alexander of Belgium, was third, winning RM3,000/=, Jagjit Singh of Malaysia was fourth, winning RM1,500/= and Peter Bennett was fifth, winning RM1,000/=.

In the women’s section, Leah Jepkirui Mitei from Kenya was first, Dominique Alvernhe of France was second and Funice Jelagat of Kenya was third. Yap Wai Mun was the best Malaysian woman walker finishing fifth, behind another walker from Kenya, Susan Jemutai Chepkwony. The prize money won by the women was the same as those for the men.

In the Men’s Team events, Race Walkers Association of Malaysia was first, followed by the Malaysian Armed Forces team in second position, the Kuala Lumpur Association of Veterans Athletes was third, the Singapore Athletic Association in fourth position, the 50 Merdekan Race Walkers in fifth position and the Iron man Team in sixth position.

The winning teams won RM4,000/=, the second teams winning RM2,000/=, the third teams winning RM1,000/=, the fourth team winning RM500/= and the fifth team winning RM300/=.

In the Women’s Team event, Hong Kong’s Sahn Hahng Tai Bo finished first, Race Walkers Association of Malaysia was second, Singapore Athletic Association was third, RWAM B Team was fourth, Road Surfers Team was fifth and Funtastic 4 was sixth. The prize money for the women’s teams was the same as those for the men’s teams.

Overall, the 4th Malaysian International 24 hours Walk was a great success. It was a great sport for all event, as almost all the walkers participated to challenge themselves to the limit of their endurance. The Walk itself was physically very exhausting and at the completion of the 24 hours, most of the walkers suffered from lack of sleep, blisters and leg cramps.

Congratulations to the Hon. Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui, Minister of Plantation Industries & Commodities Malaysia and also the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the 4th Malaysian International 24 hours Walk, Y.Bhg. Datuk Eddy Chen, Deputy Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Encik Khoo Chong Beng, Race Director and all the members of the Organizing Committee for the successful organization and conclusion of the 4th Malaysian International 24 hours Walk 2007.

Results - Men’s Individual

1st – Mohd Hanizam bin Harun of the Malaysian Armed Forces completed 173.40Km
2nd – Malek bin Redone of the Malaysian Armed Forces completed 172.15 Km.
3rd – Vandenhoeck Alexander of Belgium completed 169.02 Km.
4th – Jagjit Singh of Malaysia completed 165.89
5th – Peter Bennett of Australia completed 165.26 Km.

Results – Women’s Individual

1st – Leah Jepkirui Mitei of Kenya completed 145.86 Km.
2nd – Dominique Alvernhe of France completed 144.61 Km.
3rd – Funice Jelagat of Kenya completed 143.35 Km.
4th – Susan Jemutai Chepkwony of Kenya completed 142.10 Km.
5th – Yap Wai Mun of Malaysia completed 138.97 Km.