A Malaysian father has captured hearts online after carrying his 18-year-old daughter across the finish line of the 2026 Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon, turning the final stretch of the race into a deeply personal moment between father and daughter.
Wira Sudepja Rabu, 51, was seen carrying his daughter, Nur Wadihan, affectionately known as Dihan, in his arms as they completed the marathon on Oct. 3.
The emotional moment was shared by Wira on social media the following day, showing the father jogging along the route with Dihan in his arms as fellow runners and spectators cheered them on.
The father-daughter pair were both dressed in running attire. In one of the videos, another runner could be seen alongside them while pushing what appeared to be a specialised stroller used for Dihan.
Wira eventually carried his daughter across the finish line, where the pair posed together for photographs.
‘She’s not heavy, she’s my baby’
The finish-line moment was particularly meaningful because it came shortly after Dihan celebrated her 18th birthday.
In his social media post, Wira described his daughter as an “extraordinary child of heaven” and wished her a belated happy birthday.
He also shared a message for people living with cerebral palsy, marking World Cerebral Palsy Day.
One line from his post particularly resonated with viewers:
“She ain’t heavy, she’s my baby.”
The message reflected the significance of the race for Wira, who was not simply completing another marathon but sharing the achievement with his daughter.
He described crossing the finish line together as a moment of hugs and kisses and wrote that life should be about more than simply surviving.
A journey they have shared for years
The marathon was far from the first sporting event Wira and Dihan have taken part in together.
According to local media reports, Wira has been involving his daughter in outdoor activities since she was six years old.
Their activities have included cycling and running events, with Wira making preparations in advance to ensure Dihan’s needs are taken care of.
In August, Wira, Dihan and her 52-year-old mother took part in a 7km cycling event held as part of Malaysia’s National Day celebrations on Aug. 31.
The family has therefore built a routine around outdoor activities, allowing Dihan to experience events and challenges alongside her parents rather than simply watching from the sidelines.
For Wira, participation appears to be just as important as finishing.
Dihan made history as a child
Dihan’s journey in sports also includes a notable achievement from several years ago.
In 2018, she was reportedly inducted into the Malaysia Book of Records after becoming the first child with cerebral palsy to complete a duathlon.
She completed the Kerian Incredible Duathlon with her father supporting her throughout the event.
The achievement became another milestone in the family’s efforts to include Dihan in physical activities and give her opportunities to experience sporting events.
Years later, the same determination was visible at the Kuala Lumpur Marathon, where Wira once again made sure his daughter was part of the journey.
Thousands took part in KLSCM 2026
The father-daughter moment unfolded during the 18th edition of the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon.
The 2026 event attracted a record 43,800 registered participants from 53 countries, including more than 3,600 international runners.
More than 27,200 runners took part in the full and half marathon categories on Oct. 4, while the 5km and 10km races were held the previous day.
The event was also notable for its charity component.
Through the Run For A Reason programme, participating runners raised more than RM1.1 million for charitable organisations even before race weekend. Fundraising remains open until Oct. 12, according to the marathon organisers.
The organisers said the event’s charity programme supports causes including healthcare, education, homelessness and services for people facing hardship.
A finish line that meant more than a race
For Wira and Dihan, however, the significance of the event was personal.
The images of Wira carrying his daughter during the final stretch showed a father determined to share one more milestone with his child.
The scene also drew an enthusiastic response online, with viewers praising the pair and describing Wira as a devoted father.
One commenter wrote that Dihan would always be her father’s baby and that Wira would always be her superhero. Another said the moment demonstrated that the race represented far more than simply running.
The attention surrounding the video has also brought wider visibility to the experiences of families living with cerebral palsy and the importance of inclusion in community and sporting activities.
For Dihan, reaching the finish line was another achievement added to a long list of experiences she has shared with her family.
For her father, carrying her across those final metres appeared to be a simple expression of what he has been doing for years: making sure his daughter is beside him for the journey.
And as the crowd watched them cross the line together, the marathon became more than a test of endurance. It became a celebration of family, determination and a milestone shared between a father and the daughter he still proudly calls his baby.
