Penang Bridge International Marathon 2026: Date, Registration & Runner’s Guide

The Penang Bridge International Marathon (PBIM) brings together runners who want to experience Penang in a different way: on foot, alongside thousands of other participants, with a major bridge crossing at the heart of the event.

For visitors, it is also a reason to turn a race weekend into a longer Penang trip, combining running with local food and time exploring the state.

The 2026 Penang Bridge International Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 13 December 2026, with the official registration portal identifying the event as the Aspen–Klippa Penang Bridge International Marathon @ Penang 2nd Bridge 2026.

This guide covers the latest published race details, registration, race pack collection and practical advice for planning your visit.

Penang Bridge International Marathon 2026 at a Glance

Detail	Information
Date	Sunday, 13 December 2026
Event name	Aspen–Klippa Penang Bridge International Marathon
Bridge	Second Penang Bridge
Main categories	Full marathon, half marathon and 10km
Registration	Through the official PBIM website
Detailed route and site maps	Awaiting publication on the official map page when checked

Race arrangements can change. Check your runner account and the organiser’s latest instructions before travelling.

What Is the Penang Bridge International Marathon?

PBIM is an annual running event supported by the Penang State Government. Its identity is closely connected to the bridges linking Penang Island with mainland Penang, giving runners a distinctive setting for a road race.

For experienced runners, the appeal may be a new course or a personal milestone. For others, it is the shared experience of arriving before dawn, joining the starting crowd and working towards the finish line.

If you are visiting for the first time, our guide to where Penang is explains the relationship between the island and mainland. That distinction matters when arranging accommodation and race transport.

Which Bridge Is Used for PBIM 2026?

The official 2026 registration portal specifies the Second Penang Bridge, also known as the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge.

This is a different crossing from the original Penang Bridge. The Second Penang Bridge connects Batu Kawan on the mainland with Batu Maung on Penang Island.

When planning race travel, check the exact assembly point in your current runner instructions rather than navigating simply to “Penang Bridge”.

Race Categories, Start Times and Cut-Offs

The organiser currently lists:

Category	Start	Finish deadline	Qualifying time
Full marathon	1:30am	8:30am	7 hours
Half marathon	3:00am	6:30am	3 hours 30 minutes
10km	6:30am	8:00am	1 hour 30 minutes

All times are Malaysian time. Recheck the final race instructions for changes.

Choose your distance around your preparation and a realistic finishing time. A shorter category still requires planning, particularly when it involves an early start and an unfamiliar venue.

Registration and Entry Fees

Start at the official Penang Bridge International Marathon website and follow its registration link.

Published normal entry fees are:

Category	Malaysian	Non-Malaysian
Full marathon	RM150	RM300
Half marathon	RM140	RM280
10km Open	RM120	RM240
10km Junior	RM90	RM180

Check availability, eligibility and the final payable amount in the registration portal. Early-bird and elite categories have separate pricing.

Before paying, check your chosen category, personal details, collection arrangements and the organiser’s entry terms. Keep the confirmation somewhere you can access easily during your trip.

Race Pack Collection 2026

The published collection schedule is:

Location	Dates	Time
Klippa Shopping Centre, IKEA Batu Kawan	27–29 November	11am–7pm
Aspen House, 300 Jalan Macalister, George Town	4–6 December	11am–7pm
Aspen Vision City, Jalan Vervea 6, Bandar Cassia, Batu Kawan	10–11 December	11am–7pm
Aspen Vision City	12 December	9am–2pm

Check collection requirements in your confirmation. Avoid assuming that race packs can be collected on race morning.

For runners arriving from outside Penang, build collection into the itinerary before booking transport. A late Saturday arrival may leave too little time.

PBIM 2026 Route Map

The official route and site map page had not published detailed maps when checked on 10 October 2026.

Wait for your category’s current map before planning viewing points or assuming how much of the bridge your race covers.

Once published, check the starting area, turning points, aid stations, toilets, finish area and any intermediate cut-offs. Save the map on your phone so you can consult it without relying on mobile reception.

Getting to the Race

Plan the journey to the assembly area before race weekend. The early starts mean ordinary daytime travel arrangements may be unsuitable.

Driving

Use the organiser’s designated parking and approach routes once announced. Allow time for traffic, walking from the car park, toilets and reaching your starting area.

Choose a parking location based on official access instructions. A nearby space on a map may be inaccessible once race barriers are installed.

Shuttle Services

The official website has a transport page, but it also contains a promotion dated 2025. Confirm a specific 2026 shuttle timetable, fare and booking process before relying on any displayed service.

E-Hailing

If using e-hailing, identify a permitted drop-off point and plan the return journey too. Agree on a practical meeting place with anyone collecting you after the race.

Road Closures and Traffic

Check the organiser’s notices, police announcements and relevant highway updates close to race day for closure hours and alternative routes.

This is useful even if you are not running. Airport journeys, hotel transfers and travel between the island and mainland may need extra planning.

Do not use a previous edition’s closure schedule as the current timetable. Check which crossing and approach roads your own journey requires.

Where to Stay for Marathon Weekend

Choose accommodation around your race transport first, then your sightseeing plans.

Batu Kawan is worth considering for runners who want a mainland base near the Second Bridge’s mainland approach. Confirm access to the actual race assembly area before booking.

Other mainland areas may suit visitors driving into Penang, provided they have a workable race-night transfer.

Penang Island may suit runners combining the event with a holiday. Staying in George Town gives you a base for exploring, but requires careful planning for the journey to the race.

Ask about late arrival, breakfast arrangements, checkout times and whether any advertised race transfer applies to the 2026 edition.

A Practical Race Weekend Plan

Before travelling: complete registration, check collection requirements and arrange race transport.

Friday or Saturday: collect your pack within the published hours, organise your kit and confirm the latest access notices.

Before your start: leave enough time for the journey, entry checks and finding your starting area.

After finishing: meet your companions at an agreed point, collect your belongings and allow time to rest before beginning another journey.

If your schedule allows, leave sightseeing for the following day rather than filling the hours immediately after the race.

What to Bring

Prepare a simple checklist:

Race bib and required identification.
Familiar running shoes and clothing.
Any race nutrition you have already practised using.
Charged phone and transport details.
Dry clothes for after the finish.
A bag that meets the organiser’s baggage rules.

Check official guidance on permitted equipment and baggage facilities before packing.

Extending Your Penang Trip

The marathon can be the centre of a weekend without being its only activity. Arrive early enough to settle in, keep the pre-race itinerary manageable and give yourself time afterwards to enjoy Penang.

Use our Penang location and travel guide to decide whether an island base, mainland base or a split stay works best for your visit.