The Race is On: Registration Opens for RedRun in Penang

Penang is set to welcome runners from around the world, with the debut of the AirAsia RedRun. Scheduled for Sunday, 28 September 2025, the event will take place at Gurney Plaza and is expected to draw thousands of participants and spectators, adding a vibrant new attraction to the island’s tourism calendar. 

Organised by AirAsia, the RedRun is open to runners of all levels, with distances of 3 km, 5 km and 10 km available. Registration is open now until 18 August (but may close earlier if all slots are filled). Each participant will receive a race bib, an official RedRun jersey and a finisher’s medal, with additional entertainment and family-friendly activities scheduled at the start and finish zones. 

For Penang, the RedRun offers more than just a sporting spectacle; it forms part of AirAsia’s wider strategy to use community events to boost destination branding and showcase the island as an attractive leisure hub. The airline expects the race to bring a surge of visitors to the Pearl of the Orient, creating new opportunities for hotels, restaurants and local attractions to benefit from increased footfall. 

AirAsia’s RedRun series has already proved successful in other Southeast Asian cities, where it has combined mass participation sport with tourism promotion. By bringing the event to Penang, the airline is highlighting its own routes and services, while also reinforcing its position as a key supporter of Malaysia’s tourism growth. 

For B2B partners, the event provides multiple avenues for engagement. Hotels and resorts can offer packages tied to the race weekend, combining accommodation with runner perks such as early breakfast or transport to the start line. Restaurants and cafes can run themed promotions, while tour operators can target visiting runners with short excursions before or after the event. With Penang’s reputation as a food and heritage destination, the potential for extended stays is high. 

The RedRun also highlights the growing role of sports tourism in Southeast Asia. Health-conscious travellers are increasingly seeking events that combine fitness with travel, and Penang is well placed to capitalise on this trend. With scenic routes, historic sites and culinary offerings, participants in the RedRun will find the race is just a first step towards discovering all that Penang has to offer.