KANGAR, Dec 21 — The 2025 Perlis Ultra Marathon (Putra 3.0) has successfully reinforced Perlis’ reputation as a prime sports tourism destination after more than 1,000 runners from Malaysia and several foreign countries converged in the state to compete in its third edition, held from December 19 to 20.
Jointly organised by MEP21 together with the Perlis Forestry Department and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Perlis Office, the highly anticipated biennial event featured three race distances — 103km, 50km and 23km. The main highlight, the 103km category, is now officially recognised as the longest ultra-running route ever organised in Perlis.
Participants were treated to more than just a competitive running experience. The route was specifically designed to showcase the beauty, culture and geographical uniqueness of Perlis. Throughout the race, runners travelled through diverse landscapes such as forest surroundings, village environments, hilly terrains and eco-tourism attractions like Wang Kelian View Point, Sakura-themed parks and various scenic countryside locations.
The flag-off ceremony took place at Bukit Air Resort with staggered start times to ensure smooth race management. The 103km runners began at 12.05am, followed by the 50km group at 1.05am and the 23km runners at 2.05am. Running through the night and early morning required stamina, discipline and focus, further intensifying the endurance challenge.
Putra 2025 Race Director, Ku Hasrin Ku Abd. Rahman, described the event as not only a sporting competition but also an influential tourism catalyst. He said the ultra marathon is currently recognised by Malaysia’s running fraternity as the final ultra-running event for 2025, cementing its significance in the national race calendar.
He also revealed that the race highlighted at least seven major tourist locations in Perlis, contributing to local economic visibility while boosting interest among visitors. “This event truly embodies ultra-endurance racing. It introduces participants to the beauty of Perlis and strengthens community involvement through tourism-based sports initiatives,” he added.
International participation further strengthened the prestige of Putra 3.0. United Kingdom runner Chris Timms emerged champion in the 103km category with a finishing time of 9:51:25, showcasing exceptional athletic resilience and strategic running ability.
Since 2015, MEP21 has consistently contributed to organising high-impact tourism sporting events and has pledged continued collaboration with government agencies, local authorities and running communities to expand Putra’s influence locally and internationally.
