PENANG, Malaysia, Aug. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading professional sportswear brand Xtep hosted a mass-participation "10KM TIME TRIAL" race in Penang, Malaysia on August 17th, with He Yong claiming victory in the Elite Category with a time of 34:29 and Ang Chee Yiang winning the Mass Category in 39:38. Leveraging its position as a leader in performance running footwear, Xtep established this event as Southeast Asia's first large-scale timed trial designed specifically for advanced runners seeking to break their personal records(PBs). This unique format attracted fierce competition, drawing elite athletes not only from across Malaysia but also from Indonesia, Singapore, Uganda, Kenya, and Taiwan, China.
Amidst a growing global focus on healthy living and a surge in younger running enthusiasts, the sport is evolving from casual participation towards the pursuit of personal bests (PBs). This trend sees more people engaging deeply with professional athletics, where professionally timed trials are crucial. The Penang 10KM TIME TRIAL perfectly embodies this shift, providing a premier platform for runners to challenge their limits .
Prior to the race, distinguished guests including Penang State Exco for Youth, Sports, and Health YB Daniel Gooi Zi Sen fired the starting gun to commence the competition. After all runners completed the course, YB Daniel Gooi Zi Sen delivered an inspiring speech, stating: "Penang is a land that nurtures sports talents, having produced world-class athletes including Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei and Datuk Nicol David, proving that dreams fueled by hard work know no bounds." The race featured a highly competitive field with participants ranging in age from 20 to 48, including professionals from various fields, among them five athletes capable of running sub-34 minutes for 10km, as well as national-level triathletes and ultramarathon champions. A large contingent of passionate recreational runners also took part, experiencing the thrill of competition.
This intense pursuit of PBs and breakthroughs highlights the current surge in sports enthusiasm and the growing demand for professional gear that helps athletes perform their best. To meet runners' evolving needs, Xtep uses innovative technology to develop high-performance gear for athletes of all levels aiming to break their limits and achieve PBs. The shoes worn by He Yong were Xtep's new flagship product – the 160X7.0 Championship Edition Collection (featuring the high-performance 160X7.0 PRO and the standard 160X7.0). Equipped with a GT700 or T700 carbon plate and ACE+ midsole technology delivering over 85% energy return rate, this series provides explosive power for peak speed. To honor the outstanding performances of the top seven finishers, Xtep presented each athlete with a pair of 160X7.0 Championship Edition running shoes – recognizing elite performance with elite gear.
This grand event was the highlight of Xtep's meticulously planned Malaysian activities for the global launch of its 160X7.0 Championship Edition Collection. The campaign began on August 16th with an exclusive Elite Appreciation Gathering at Xtep's first store in IOI Mall Puchong, Kuala Lumpur, where key opinion leaders and elite athletes had been among the first to experience the new products in depth. The following day (August 17th), the highly anticipated "10KM TIME TRIAL" large-scale competitive race took place in Penang.
From the technological showcase in Kuala Lumpur to the real-world validation on the Penang course, the Xtep 160X7.0 Championship Edition Collection was successfully launched in Malaysia. This event demonstrates Xtep's growing expertise in road running and commitment to supporting athletes through professional technology. It highlights Xtep's focus on serving the road running community and promoting professional competition. Moving forward, Xtep will remain steadfastly focused on road running, leveraging its professional technology to help runners worldwide break through their limits.
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