Organized by PT Bank Maybank Indonesia Tbk, the Maybank Marathon offers arduous course full of uphill climbs in the tropical heat, and has earned the designation of Indonesia's first Elite Label road race from World Athletics.

The coming challenge did not dampen the enthusiasm of runners, who remained upbeat and enjoyed their every step, though some participants expressed surprise at the steep incline of this year’s route. Many runners deemed the Maybank Marathon’s 2025 edition to be extremely strenuous.

This sentiment was shared by Kenyan runner Evans Nyakamba Mayaka, who emerged as the champion of the Open Male Marathon category with a time of 2:17:01.

"The Maybank Marathon in Bali was amazing. Safety-wise, it was very well organized, but the course was incredibly difficult," Evans told a post-event press conference to announce the winners.

Odekta Naibaho, who came in first in the National Female Marathon category with a time of 2:47:28, also acknowledged the challenging route this year, which she found thrilling.

"For me, the 2025 Maybank Marathon was very memorable, especially from kilometer 8 to 34, which were full of uphill climbs. It was very exciting, and it was a new experience for me and a great way to prepare for next year's marathon," Naibaho said.

Robi Syianturi, who won the National Male Marathon, emphasized the importance of strategy and extra preparation ahead of joining the Maybank Marathon.

"This is an extraordinary competition, so runners must maintain their rhythm, not miss water stations and even use the restroom occasionally to maintain a good mood," said Robi.

Maybank Marathon project director Widya Permana admitted that this year’s route in Bali, which once again received certification from the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and World Athletics, was steep, but also scenic.

"The Bali route has many climbs, coupled with extreme weather conditions. Therefore, runners need optimal preparation through consistent training, such as hill training and proper rest management, to achieve optimal performance," Widya said.

Maybank Indonesia president director Steffano Ridwan expressed his gratitude for the Maybank Marathon 2025 in successfully holding an international-standard running event as it continued to improve safety, comfort and quality standards each year.

"This year marks a new milestone for the Maybank Marathon. Not only has the number of participants increased compared to last year, with more than 13,600 runners, but our preparations have also enabled us to provide a better experience for runners, thanks to the support of various parties," Steffano said.

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