KL road closures Aug 23: Merdeka run 2026

Kuala Lumpur’s city centre had road closures and traffic controls on Sunday, August 23, 2026, for the Merdeka Half Marathon 2026 and LLG Fun Run 6.0, with major routes around Dataran Merdeka, Jalan TAR, Jalan Tun Perak and Jalan Ampang affected during the events.

The two running events brought thousands of participants into central KL, making route planning especially important for motorists travelling through the city early that morning.

Key takeaways

• Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026.
• Merdeka Half Marathon: 21 km, 10 km, 5 km and 3 km categories, with flag-offs beginning from 4:30am.
• LLG Fun Run 6.0: Flagged off from Padang Merbok at 7:00am and followed a smaller route around Bank Negara and Taman Tugu.
• Major affected areas: Jalan Raja, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan TAR, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Sultan Ismail and surrounding roads.
• Motorists: Check live traffic conditions before entering central KL and allow extra travel time around event routes.

What happened on August 23?

Two major running events took place in central Kuala Lumpur. The Merdeka Half Marathon 2026 was the larger event, featuring 21 km, 10 km, 5 km and 3 km categories starting from Dataran Merdeka.

The 21 km category flagged off at 4:30am, followed by the 10 km category at 6:15am, while the 5 km and 3 km fun-run categories started at 7:15am.

The LLG Fun Run 6.0 started at 7:00am. Unlike the larger half-marathon route, the LLG event remained around the Bank Negara and Taman Tugu area, with organisers keeping the two events separate.

DBKL's Kuala Lumpur Command & Control Centre (KLCCC) also listed the Merdeka Half Marathon on its weekly traffic-event schedule, with the event running from 4:00am to 9:00am on August 23.

Which KL roads were affected?

The Merdeka Half Marathon route covered a wide section of central KL. According to the published route, runners travelled through Jalan Raja, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Perak, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Munshi Abdullah, Jalan Dang Wangi and Jalan Sultan Ismail.

The route also extended towards Langgak Tunku, Dalaman Tunku, Persiaran Tunku, Jalan Bukit Tunku, Jalan Sultan Salahuddin, Jalan Dato Onn and Bulatan Dato Onn.

For motorists, this meant that even roads that were not directly part of the running route could experience slower traffic because of diversions and increased traffic volumes.

Key event timings

The event timings above are based on information published by the event report and KLCCC.

How motorists can avoid KL traffic disruptions

Plan before you leave home. Instead of waiting until you reach a closed or congested road, check traffic conditions before entering central KL.

The Motorist App provides real-time traffic cameras and traffic updates, while allowing drivers to set favourite routes to help anticipate congestion, roadworks and other disruptions.

Check the route, not just your destination. A navigation app may show your final destination, but knowing where event-related traffic controls are concentrated can help you decide whether entering the city centre is worthwhile.

Leave extra time for alternative routes. If you had to travel through Jalan Raja, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Ampang or Jalan Sultan Ismail during the event period, checking live conditions first could help you avoid unnecessarily long delays.

Motorist's AutoConcierge can also provide personalised assistance through in-app chat for motoring-related questions, giving drivers another way to get help when planning their journeys.

Old way vs Motorist App

Motorist says its app combines real-time traffic cameras, favourite routes, vehicle reminders and other ownership tools in one platform.

Expert tip: For major KL events, check traffic conditions before starting your engine, then check them again immediately before entering the affected area. Conditions can change quickly as road controls and diversions are implemented.

Common mistake: Do not assume a road is completely unaffected simply because it is not listed as part of the running route. Nearby roads can become congested because motorists are diverted away from closed sections.

What should drivers remember for future KL events?

Central KL frequently hosts runs, parades and national celebrations. The August 23 events are a useful reminder that early-morning road closures can affect normal driving patterns even before typical weekend traffic becomes heavy.

KLCCC provides traffic information and live CCTV feeds for Kuala Lumpur, making it a useful source for checking conditions around the city.

Motorist App adds another layer of convenience. Its traffic-camera feature lets drivers see current conditions and plan around congestion, while its AutoConcierge provides in-app assistance for motoring questions.

The Merdeka Half Marathon 2026 and LLG Fun Run 6.0 caused significant traffic-management activity around central KL on August 23, particularly around Dataran Merdeka, Padang Merbok and surrounding major roads. Checking live traffic conditions before travelling remains one of the simplest ways to avoid unnecessary delays during large city events.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When were the KL city centre road closures for the Merdeka Half Marathon 2026?

The road closures and traffic controls took place on Sunday, August 23, 2026, in conjunction with the Merdeka Half Marathon and LLG Fun Run 6.0.

2. What time did the Merdeka Half Marathon start?

The 21 km Merdeka Half Marathon category flagged off at 4:30am, while the 10 km category started at 6:15am. The 5 km and 3 km categories started at 7:15am.

3. What time did the LLG Fun Run 6.0 start?

The LLG Fun Run 6.0 started at 7:00am on August 23, 2026, from Padang Merbok.

4. Which roads were affected by the Merdeka Half Marathon?

The published route included Jalan Raja, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Perak, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Munshi Abdullah, Jalan Dang Wangi and Jalan Sultan Ismail, among others.

5. Was Jalan Ampang affected by the KL marathon?

Yes. Jalan Ampang was part of the published Merdeka Half Marathon route, so motorists travelling through the area needed to account for event-related traffic controls and diversions.

6. Where did the Merdeka Half Marathon start and finish?

The Merdeka Half Marathon started at Dataran Merdeka, with the published route covering multiple roads across central Kuala Lumpur.

7. Where did the LLG Fun Run 6.0 take place?

The LLG Fun Run 6.0 flagged off at Padang Merbok and followed a smaller loop around the Bank Negara and Taman Tugu area.

8. How can I check traffic conditions in Kuala Lumpur?

The Motorist App provides real-time traffic cameras and crowdsourced traffic updates, allowing drivers to check conditions and plan around congestion.

9. Does the Motorist App have an AutoConcierge?

Yes. The Motorist App includes a Personal Auto Concierge feature that lets users receive personalised help through in-app chat for motoring-related questions.

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