Muhaizar Mohamad - One Of The Country's Fastest Marathoners

Malaysia's Muhaizar Mohamad is not only one of the country's fastest marathoners, but also one of the most humble.

- Lionel Kong

When Singaporean Soh Rui Yong won his second consecutive SEA Games marathon gold medal in Putrajaya in 2017, there was another major milestone achieved that day: Malaysian Muhaizar Mohamad finished in third position, and won Malaysia’s first SEA Games marathon medal after a 44-year drought. He tells us his story in this exclusive interview.

The 34-year-old armed forces regular had a late start into the competitive running scene, despite being a cross-country runner in school. He says, “I was competing in long distance events for a few years when I was in school. I represented my school and district in a few events, but my involvement was not significant. After I graduated, it became all about building a career and looking after my family, so I did not think about sports seriously for a long time.”

Muhaizar grew up in Gurun, Kedah, in a rural village. Being the eldest of four siblings meant that he had to help out at home as soon as he was old enough to. “I had to juggle between school and work, in order to lessen my father’s financial burden to support our family. During this time, we had no luxuries and sport was just part of my school activities, and a way for me to blow off steam,” he says.

Immediately after graduating from high school, Muhaizar joined the Malaysian Armed Forces and underwent the necessary training to become a competent soldier. He attributes his army training as the base for his overall fitness development. When he was based in Melaka, hehad the opportunity to represent his unit in the Armed Forces Athletics Championships. He won first place in the 3000m steeplechase, and from there he started to give some serious thought to running competitively.