Aisyah Affan’s journey into running did not begin with passion.
What was once a sport she disliked has since evolved into a defining pursuit, pushing her onto the international running stage.
Like many, the Universiti Kuala Lumpur Business School (UniKL BIS) student once struggled to find joy in running.
She could not even complete 1KM without stopping. However, everything changed in 2022 when she began running consistently, gradually building both her endurance and confidence.
Her turning point came from a personal source, which is her father. Watching him complete a half-marathon inspired her to take on the challenge herself.
“I had never done a marathon before, but seeing my father complete a half-marathon made me want to try,” she shared.
By 2024, she made her debut in the half-marathon category and soon transitioned into competitive running. Now 23 years old, Aisyah is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) in International Business, while steadily building her profile as a competitive distance runner.
Her latest achievement came at the Ho Chi Minh City Marathon 2026, where she secured a fourth-place finish in the Women’s Age Category (21–29) and placed 11th overall in the Women’s Open category.
More impressively, she broke her personal record with a time of 1:38:40.
“My race plan was to maintain a 10KM pace for the first 12KM, then ease slightly for the remaining distance. But surprisingly, my legs could sustain the pace even after 12KM. My body felt strong, and my heart rate stayed at threshold level.
“At KM18, I realised I wasn’t just hitting 1:40. I was on track for 1:38. That’s when I pushed harder and finished strong,” she said.
The result marked her first podium finish in the half-marathon category.
“I cried at the finishing line. I did not even know I had secured a podium until Arena Malaysia came and told me,” she added.
Aisyah was among the Malaysian students selected by ArenaMalaysia Asia to compete in the event, making it her first international race. While the opportunity brought excitement, it also came with pressure, especially as she was in her off-season at the time of selection.
“I only had three to four weeks to train properly and get my fitness back. It was a short preparation period, but I was grateful for the opportunity and wanted to make the most of it.”
Balancing training with academic responsibilities proved to be one of her biggest challenges. As a final-year student taking seven subjects, Aisyah had to manage her time carefully to keep up with both her studies and her intensive training schedule.
“There are 24 hours in a day and it is about how bad you want it. I would run as early as 5 am and continue with my day,.
“There were moments I doubted my training, wondering if it was enough. But I chose to believe in myself. The support from my family, my partner, and my running community meant everything to me,” she noted.
Representing UniKL BIS on an international stage also gave her a strong sense of purpose.
“It is truly an honour to represent UniKL and make the university proud, especially in a sport that is not widely recognised. I felt that responsibility, and it pushed me to aim for a personal best and even a podium.”
She also acknowledged the encouragement she received from her lecturers, particularly Dr Sharina Osman, who supported her journey despite running not being widely recognised within the university’s sports scene.
Looking ahead, Aisyah is preparing for her next international race, Hatyai21 in May 2026, where she hopes to achieve an even better timing.
“I used to hate running, but now it has become part of my life. It made me more confident and helped me discover my passion,” she said.
