The day finally came when Shaharudin Bin Hashim, Muniandy Ramadass and Subramaniam Rangar - the Top 3 Full Marathon Malaysian Men Open Winners of the recent Penang Bridge International Marathon (PBIM) were sent by the PBIM Committee to run in the 2010 C&D Xiamen International Marathon held on 2nd January 2010.

Accompanying the runners to Xiamen, China was Penang Bridge International Marathon Chairman YB Danny Law Heng Kiang who was also there to attend the 2nd Xiamen Marathon Forum. This is the very first time that winners of a marathon in Malaysia were sent to participate in any overseas marathon as part of a bonus to their win. The main objective of the Penang Bridge International Marathon Committee in doing so was to encourage the marathon runners by gaining the experience of running in an overseas international marathon such as the Xiaman International Marathon in order to improve their running performance. It is also to show the PBIM Committee's support to the organiser of the Xiamen International Marathon in hope that they too will support the Penang Bridge International Marathon by sending some of the Xiamen runners to participate in the coming PBIM event on 21st November 2010. By making this effort, the committee wishes to establish a solid relationship with Xiamen which is the Twin Sister City of Penang.

The morning of the 2010 C&D Xiamen International Marathon was filled with high spirits of the runners, spectators, perfomers and officials alike. This year, the Xiamen International Marathon managed to attract 53,000 runners; 20,000 runners more than the previous year of 33,000 participants! Dancers in colourful cultural silk costumes can be seen and the loud beating of drums can be heard over the excitement of the crowd. PBIM Chairman YB Danny Law was invited up on stage for the gun-off session together with representatives from Greece, Prague, South Africa and Korea to officiate the grand start of the 2010 C&D Xiamen International Marathon at 8am China time. After the start, all VIPs proceeded to the 2nd Xiamen International Marathon Forum where YB Danny Law was invited to give a 15-minute presentation on the Penang Bridge International Marathon in which he shared with the audience which includes the media, officials, VIPs and the Xiamen International Marathon Committee on the strength of the Penang Bridge International Marathon and also Penang, as a wonderful destination to visit. The video of the recent Penang Bridge International Marathon was also shown during this presentation which drew numerous praises for the event especially on the Lion Dance, Chingay, Rebana Drums and the PBIM Lucky Draw.

The Top 3 Malaysian runners had finished their run with Muniandy Ramadass completing the marathon in 2:40hrs, Subramaniam Rangar in 2:47hrs and Shaharudin Bin Hashim in 2:50hrs.

Muniandy Ramadass related his experience by saying, "I'm happy that for the first time after earning a top placing in any marathon in Malaysia, the Penang Bridge International Marathon have sent us to participate in an overseas marathon. For that we feel very appreciated in a marathon event. I am thankful to be here to have a wonderful experience of the well-organised Xiamen International Marathon."

Subramaniam Rangar also shared his experience by commenting, "I would like to thank the Penang Bridge International Marathon Committee for supporting me to run in the Xiamen International Marathon and I am very grateful that PBIM has taken such initiative to help us improve our performance."

Shaharudin Bin Hashim also stated, "I am happy to have been sent here to experience the Xiamen International Marathon running route which has been considered one of the best marathon routes known for its almost straight roads and cool chilly weather which is just nice to run a marathon in. I have been to many marathons such as in Taiwan and North Korea. But by far, I am very satisfied to have been sent to participate in the Xiamen International Marathon."

Throughout the trip, the Xiamen International Marathon Organiser were very accommodating towards PBIM Chairman YB Danny Law and the top 3 Malaysian as they even brought them on tours to the Xiamen Olympic Museum, Tennis Complex and Wu Lang Yu Island.

With that, we wish to thank the Xiamen International Marathon Organiser for their kind hospitality and we will see you again in Xiamen on 1st January 2011!