Next race
Sunday, 6 December 2026
5:30 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Bridge and coastal road
Elevation
Rolling · 150 m gain
150 m climbing
Race profile
The Penang Bridge International Marathon draws approximately 6,000 finishers each December on a bridge and coastal road in Penang, Malaysia. The bridge crossing gives the event one of the most memorable structural landmarks in Asian road racing. The course passes the long Penang Bridge, island-side roads, and night-race views over the strait. Rolling terrain with bridge climbs is a feature of the course.
Penang Bridge International Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 6,000 finishers
Course & terrain
Starts and finishes near the Penang bridge complex. The course passes the long Penang Bridge, island-side roads, and night-race views over the strait. Moderate terrain throughout. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
The Penang Bridge International Marathon course is rolling over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 150 metres of climbing and 140 metres of descent, with a net climb of 10 metres from start to finish.
Rolling · 150 m gain — approx. 182 m above sea level
↑ 150 m · ↓ 140 m · net +10 m
Registration
The Penang Bridge International Marathon accepts entries through penangmarathon.gov.my, using open registration when places remain and a lottery when demand exceeds the roughly 6,000-runner cap for the December race. Sign-up typically opens mid-year. International runners apply through the same official portal for this iconic bridge-crossing course.
Getting there
Penang International Airport (PEN)
9 km / 6 mi
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to Penang.
The Kuala Lumpur Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers on an urban road in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The course starts and finishes at Merdeka Square. The route passes the Petronas Towers, KL Tower, and Lake Gardens. Mostly flat with short rises on highway ramps.
Next race: Sunday, 3 October 2027
The Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon draws approximately 5,000 finishers each December on an urban road in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is one of Vietnam's most international full marathons. The route passes District 1 boulevards, Saigon River sections, and modern bridges across the fast-growing city. The course is very flat throughout.
Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.
How major marathons allocate places — open entry, lotteries, charity bibs, tour operators, and what to check before you commit to a trip.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
