KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 1 -- Mohd Zulfakri Jolkeppli doesn't exactly have the conventional long distance runner's physique.

In fact, he considers himself overweight.

Yet Zulkafri, who goes by the moniker @atanholiday on Instagram, is one of many plus-size runners now getting sponsorships from sportswear brands, something that would have been odd just a few years ago.

Zulfakri, who runs up to ultra distances like 50km races, is a pacer for Adidas.

"Honestly it's something that I didn't expect. I just tried my luck and applied (when they needed pacers) for a running event. In the form I told them I want to be an Adidas runner because I want to be famous," he told Malay Mail.

"It was actually said in jest. But somehow they said yes. I was st...