By Stuart Michael
Wednesday November 12, 2008
TRIATHLETE Eugene Chan, who made his debut in the Genting Trailblazer at Awana Genting Highlands Golf and Country Resort (AGHGCR) last weekend, felt the competition was tougher than the triathlon.
Chan, an active triathlete for the past 10 years, said the trailblazer was more of an adventure race.
“It may be tough for the triathletes but fun for those who love nature and don’t mind getting wet and dirty,” he said.
Green the earth: Struys (centre) with Sieh (left) and Mohamed Amin Osman planting a tree just before the race was flagged off at Awana Genting Highlands.
The participants went through a series of obstacles to finish the race and in the process, they had to brave through muddy terrains and hill-climbing.
“The toughest part for me was to climb the waterfall because my shoes were filled with mud and it was slippery. Running was not a problem but the high altitude made it difficult to breathe,’’ said Chan.
Chan and his partner Krishna Kumar, representing Team Suunto, finished sixth in the men’s championship category.
Tough climb: A participant pulling the rope as hard as she can while climbing up the hill.
It was indeed a tough 14km race. The participants had to go through a gruelling course, comprising a 5ft deep trench, followed by two big slopes, a culvert, a mud pit, before making their way to the finishing line.
Dannie Cheong and Alan Ang, taking part in the event for the second time, enjoyed the race.
The 28-year-old Cheong said it was a relief when he and Ang crossed the finishing line.
“We are volunteers in an orphanage in Klang and like to take part in adventure races. The toughest part was the uphill climb where only a maximum of two people could run on the path at any one time.
“It was slippery because of a downpour the day before the race.
“We are definitely coming back next year to compete,’’ he said.
All smiles: The winners in their respective categories after receiving their prizes.
Genting Trailblazer director Chong Wei Heng said they had planted 70 trees, as part of the Go Green campaign, along the route of the trailblazer.
Genting executive director Tan Sri Mohamed Amin Osman together with the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary- general Datuk Sieh Kok Chi and TV celebrity Jojo Struys also took part in the tree-planting activity.
Adventure:
Men: 1. Chow Yew Wei-Liew Chin Ngen 1’22:25, 2. Fadzli Abu Bakar-Jasni Khairul 1’22:58, 3. Shahrizal Zainal Abidin-Annwar Zakaria 1’23:59
Women: 1. Sim Yi Hui-Lee Zhen Jane 1’57:19; 2. Low Hwee Hong-Low Mey Yeng 2’06:37, 3. Lee Kar Ling-Kiow Lee Ling 2’06:44
Mixed: 1. Amaran Raman-Lian Bee Hoon 1’31:24, 2. Saiful Azri-Tan Suet Fong 1’34:4, 3. Nasdani Mohd Jaris-Zalina Desidi 1’36:05
Veteran: 1. Wan Janivdin Wan Dollah-Mohd Omar 1’15:16, 2. Iwata Takatoshi-Inoue Tomao 1’18:04, 3. C. Krishnasamy-R. Nachappan Rajagopal 1’23:23
Championship
Men: 1. Mohd Puzi Dolah-Heidee Mohd 1’10:00, 2. Kuan Chee Kee-Mohd Saiful 1’10:12, 3. Ho Yney Khuen-Soh Siew Thong 1’12:30
Women: 1. Tan Lee Chin-Lesley Tan Li Kian 1’36:38, 2. Norhaskin Mohd Din-Nor Amelia Musa 1’43:12, 3. Wam Mee Foong-Boey Kim Mei 2;05:39
Mixed: 1. Supermaniam Govindan-Darice Chepchumba Tododus 1’12:12, 2. Yew Chee Chung-Cheah Meei Meei 1’21:00, 3. Sharul Ambri Mohd-Amutha Arumugam 1’21:24
Tough course: Participants climbing down the man-made wood panel (behind) while the others tackle the bamboo bridge.
--- The Star Metro
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