Malaysian Runner Completes Full Marathon in Baju Melayu & Sets Guinness World Record
During this Hari Raya Aidilfitri season, while some of you may have been busy eating ketupat and lemang in your Baju Melayu, Mohd Syahidan Alias was busy setting a new Guinness World Record for being the fastest full marathon runner in a baju Melayu.
While most of the 48,000 participants of the London Marathon on 23 April donned shirts and shorts, Edan Syah, as he is better known, stood out from the rest in his red baju Melayu, blue kain sampin, songkok, and yellow sport shoes that represented the colours of the Jalur Gemilang. The outfit was sponsored by local brand Bulan Bintang, who specialise in traditional outfits.
Edan broke his own previous marathon record and posted his accomplishment to his Instagram page saying, “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! We achieved the mission below 3-hours; as the Guinness World Record Holder : the Fastest Full Marathon (42.2km) in Traditional Malay Dress (Male) with a time of 2 hours 49 minutes 22 seconds!”
He has previously set a record for the fastest marathon run with a national flag costume with a time of 2 hours and 54 minutes at the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival in 2019. He is also the first Malaysian to complete six marathon majors under three hours.
The project was called Bulan Bintang Road to London: Make Baju Melayu Great Again and Edan shared the behind the scenes process of how they tailor made the outfit for him.
As congratulations poured in for Edan for his achievement, he stressed that it was not a fashion show but his mission was to complete the marathon wearing the traditional outfit and to get the world record. He also thanked all the Malaysians in London who waited for him and supported him through the heavy rain and cold weather.
What a fantastic way to elevate our traditional attire on a global level and continue making Malaysia proud, Edan!
Image credit: edansyah