Aziph Mustapha (left) and Nik Nazmi aim for the double win as they run to strengthen their personal well-being, along with raising funds for Malaysian charities (Photo: Patrick Goh/The Edge)
Every year comes a day when the city of Kuala Lumpur wakes up differently. Rumbling engines are replaced by the steady rhythm of pounding feet as streams of people fill the streets. The surreal sight of runners on the highway against the backdrop of the city easily makes for a picturesque, cinematic shot.
The annual Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon (KLSCM) is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated races in Malaysia. Securing an entry is akin to the strenuous current-day battle for concert tickets. Local slots for the 18th edition this October sold out in just over five hours after public registration opened.
It is also one of the most prestigious events for the running community, having been the first and only race in the country to be awarded the distinguished World Athletics Elite Label. This recognises KLSCM’s high standards across components such as the involvement of professional athletes, safety and anti-doping compliance, among others. Known as the “Hari Raya of running”, the hype surrounding KLSCM warrants a fair question: Why exactly is this race so popular?
For starters, the course weaves through the cityscape, taking runners past iconic buildings and lesser-known spots, allowing for a different view and experience of the metropolis. Second, the event is inclusive — six primary distance categories enable people of all ages to participate, regardless of athletic performance. Competitive runs include full (42.195km) and half (21.1km) marathons as well as a 10km distance. On top of that, there are family-friendly categories such as the Fun Run (5km) and Kids Dash (2km or 800m).
Another standout characteristic of KLSCM is its charitable impact. Run For A Reason provides the opportunity for participants to champion an initiative while competing in the race and raising donations online. Charities of choice comprise five official partners — Standard Chartered Foundation, Hospis Malaysia, Kechara Soup Kitchen, Yayasan Jantung Kongenital Malaysia and Teach For Malaysia (TFM).
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For two participants in particular, some causes are definitely worth running for.
“Education is something that has been very close to my heart for a long time,” says Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, when met at the Perdana Botanical Garden after his light morning jog. The former Member of Parliament for Setiawangsa conveys his excitement in combining the activity for health and something meaningful as he prepares to complete KLSCM’s half marathon for the second time.
Though not his first race, Nik Nazmi takes humble steps. He credits his introduction to the sport to its accessibility and claims that he is still an amateur. Looking back, he recalls a lack of strategy and second-guessing himself.
“You do start to question, why am I forcing myself to do this? But ultimately, the moment you see the finish line, you know that it’s been worth it. Meeting the time is not super difficult, but now that I’ve done it once, I have to do better,” Nik Nazmi resolves.
This year, he has chosen to compete for TFM, a non-profit organisation focusing on education inequity. While he has not set a target, he plans to raise as much as he can before the deadline closes on Oct 12. At the time of writing, Nik Nazmi is leading with the most donations at RM25,800.
Running alongside him for the same cause is Muhammad Aziph Mustapha Kamil, whose journey differs but is no less inspiring. The 58-year-old head of culture and engagement at CelcomDigi Bhd is attempting his first full marathon ever. His campaign “42.195 For Malaysia” aims to raise RM1 for every metre.
Denoting his passion for education, Aziph recounts the story of Zaini Mohamad Said, his Bang Long (oldest cousin) who had run away from school. Through the intervention of and motivation from Aziph’s late father, Bang Long finished his studies and joined the army, eventually earning the rank of lieutenant general. Subsequently, Zaini was awarded the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa — Malaysia’s highest award for gallantry — and is now retired.
“He keeps telling me, if it wasn’t for my father he would have been a nobody. Instead, he became top of his profession,” reveals Aziph. “As a dad and now a grandfather, the cause resonates even more with me.”
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In an exploration of limits, vulnerability and growth, Aziph candidly shares glimpses of his training process on social media. To him, running is the perfect avenue for challenges as it puts one in positions of discomfort, both physically and mentally. “Although I’m running alone at four in the morning [but would rather be in bed], once it’s all over, I look at myself a bit differently. I tell myself, ‘I can get past this and I’m better’.”
A natural extrovert, Aziph was surprised to find that he could be self-motivated and enjoy spending time on his own. More importantly, as a beginner, he was able to reach milestones he never thought was possible.
“I couldn’t imagine completing 20km. That’s already gila because it is like running to the next town. What’s going on? Take the car,” he jests.
Through it all, he upholds authenticity in his content, in hopes of inspiring others to step out of their comfort zone and push themselves to their greatest potential.
Echoing his sentiments, Nik Nazmi says, “While running, you start to reflect because you have so much time. You are able to think about everything and anything. It is a luxury,” he pauses, “as long as you are aware of what’s happening on the road.”
The benefits are endless. What’s more, skills gained from such physical activity can be directly transferred to the workplace and other professional settings. Running, like many other forms of sport, requires constant discipline and resilience.
For the two family men, though, the biggest obstacle lies in time management. “We need to find intervals that do not eat into our children’s time. For me, that is usually late at night or early in the morning,” says Aziph.
Nik Nazmi admits that he struggles with this too. “I prefer morning jogs, but find difficulty in being consistent especially if it is raining or I wake up late. I realised these were all just excuses and there are so many ways to go about it.”
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In preparation for the race weekend taking place on Oct 3 and 4, both Nik Nazmi and Aziph have each curated their fitness regiments to suit their particular needs. Since resigning from his position as minister of natural resources and environmental sustainability and vacating his parliamentary seat, Nik Nazmi has had more breathing room to focus on his side gig as Lebih Masa’s podcast host. He plans to hit the track three times a week, slowly increasing the intensity as KLSCM approaches. Right before the event, he will indulge in a moment of relaxation, ensuring his body is in optimum condition to perform.
Aziph has been applying similar tactics, gradually adding more distance to his daily sessions as he continues to beat his personal record. He recently completed his first 21.1km at the Terengganu Marathon that took place in early May.
Fortunately, as tough as it is to keep their legs going, having a higher purpose does act as an extra push. “Most people will focus on their pace, but for me, it is all about completing the mission. If you are running for a reason, you have targets to meet so reaching a figure I am happy with is my end goal,” states Nik Nazmi.
Aziph adds, “I know I am not just running for me, and again, because we are fundraising publicly, it makes it harder to just give up.”
The pair intend to take full leverage of their individual platforms, utilising their reach to spread awareness of their collective ambition. Recognising that those of influence hold power in shifting public perception, it is worth noting that many individuals out there are also seeking ways to contribute.
“You’d be surprised because these days, people do not just want to be entertained. They also want to do good and play a part,” explains Nik Nazmi. “We need everyone to lend a hand. For me, this time around, I’m running.”
Proceeds channelled to TFM will help close the gap for equal access to education, targeting niche areas especially where the government is unable to accommodate. With public service being embedded in his life from an early age — his father too was a civil servant — Nik Nazmi commends all official initiatives and efforts, but acknowledges that some issues require nimble and flexible approaches. This further solidifies the significance of non-profits in the road map of change towards the nation’s holistic development.
“TFM is an example of what can be done. Rather than competing against one another, they are able to work with authorities and link with the private sector, especially with the limitations brought about by laws and regulations,” Nik Nazmi discloses.
Aziph highlights the charity’s Fellowship programme, which empowers graduates and young professionals to tackle educational disparities in high-need schools across the country. “Most of my peers from boarding school are doing very well, but only a few chose to go into teaching. A structured programme like this provides a guarantee that those applying will be taken care of, making it easier for them to gain experience that, otherwise, the best trained, qualified and talented will never do.”
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In the long run, the path towards KLSCM has transformed into something bigger than just wellness and healthy competition. As momentum picks up in pace and campaign, both participants are already looking forward to the serotonin boost that comes with hitting the final stretch — a “runner’s high” culminating from the energetic surroundings and exhilaration of achievement.
Prepared for an emotional finish, Aziph has recorded a track of his youngest son coaching him with mantras of encouragement through the last few kilometres.
Nik Nazmi, on the other hand, is ready to reward himself — a few cheat days filled with Netflix, a massage and a nice family dinner are his ideal wins. Remembering the cause, he chuckles, “Yes, I’ll think about Teach For Malaysia but probably just after being selfish a little bit.”
Donations to Run For A Reason are open until Oct 12, 2026.
This article first appeared on June 1, 2026 in The Edge Malaysia.
