Molina Masters Tough Terrain to Capture Pro Sky 30km Title in Penang Skyrace
PETALING JAYA, April 27 — Spain’s Nicolas Molina showcased tactical discipline and endurance to emerge champion in the men’s 30km Pro Sky race at the Penang Skyrace held in George Town.
Starting from Youth Park, Molina paced himself carefully through the early sections before launching a decisive push in the latter stages, pulling clear of the field to secure victory.
The race, part of the Merrell Skyrunner World Series, challenged runners with a demanding 30.31km route featuring a total elevation gain of 2,354 metres. Competitors had to navigate slippery forest trails, steep ridgelines and humid conditions that tested both physical and mental resilience.
Molina completed the race in 3 hours 34 minutes 10 seconds, attributing his success to disciplined energy control, proper hydration and consistent nutrition throughout the run.
Japan’s Shoma Otagiri finished second with a time of 3:41:58, while Iceland’s Kristjan Chapman secured third place in 3:55:18.
“I focused on maintaining patience early and staying on top of hydration. Once I settled into rhythm, I increased my pace,” Molina said after the race.
The women’s race produced a thrilling finish as Russia’s Svetlana Nurmukhametova surged late to win in 4:09:37, edging out North Macedonia’s Elena Karanfiloska by just three seconds.
Karanfiloska, who led much of the race, settled for second in 4:09:40, while Belgium’s Vanja Cnops completed the podium with a time of 4:26:10.
Among Malaysian participants, Daved Simpat delivered the best local performance, finishing sixth overall in 4:06:47. Ang Yee Mei was the top local female finisher, clocking 5:38:28.
The third edition of the Penang Skyrace drew more than 1,500 runners from over 30 countries, reinforcing its growing status as a premier international trail running event.
Race director Ahmad Azri said the event’s continued inclusion in the global series reflects its rising reputation.
“We are encouraged by the strong international turnout and remain committed to promoting Malaysia’s trail running landscape to a wider audience,” he said.
-wilayah.com.my
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