Death marches, TMBT, and 100K trail marathons in Sabah
Aman Avtar S.Sandhu / 28.10.2011
On November 5th, 2011, we will be running Malaysia's first 100k ultra trail marathon in Sabah which will see a controlled number of 180 competitors competing in the 50k and 100k categories of the event. The event will serve as a qualifying race for the UTMB with two points available for competitors who successfully complete the 100k event in 36 hours or less.TMBT 2012 will kick off in the middle of the year and official registration will open in December 2011 with participation increased from the current 80 for the 100k to a maximum of 200 competitors only for next year's event.
Sabah Adventure Challenge 2012
We will most certainly be NOT going back to Tambunan for SAC2012 as we have identified a new race location and a new challenge for the adventure race and ultra 60k trail run. It will be an exciting event and some pretty tough terrain for competitors and cool mountain weather in the mornings and evenings to look forward to.
Sabah Adventure Challenge 2012 will see USD$6000 in prize money up for grabs in the Adventure Race and another USD$6000 for the winners of the Ultra 60k Trail Run. This is the biggest prize money on offer for a major trail run race and adventure race in Malaysia and competition and slots are limited to 50 for the adventure race duo category and 100 for the ultra trail run.
We believe big does not mean better and mass number of competitor events are sometimes a hinderance towards the experince of an SAC event. Hence, the smaller competitor numbers of not more than 200-250 competitors for the entire event.
Ranau-Sandakan 200k Remembrance Ultra Marathon 2012
We will be launching the RSR Ultra 200k event in mid November 2011. This will serve as Malaysia's first 200k ultra marathon, combining a mix of road runs and trail runs over some of the toughest conditions available in North Borneo and Malaysia. Expect a mix of 25km-66km sections over a period of 5 days.
The confirmed start date of the event is 10th August till 15th August 2012 with the event kicking off in the highlands below Mount Kinabalu and finishing just outside of Sandakan in time for competitors to attend the poignot Sandakan Remembrance Memorial service to remember the 2000++ Australian and British prisoner's of war who perished on the deathmarch route in 1945 in which a mere 6 prisoners survived. The event is meant to remember those who perished amongst the prisoners of war but also the local's who died in relation to the deathmarch and other operations in North Borneo during the second world war.
There is also an introduction to Z Force, the australian special forces teams who conducted guerilla operations with the headhunters of Sarawak against the occupying forces and in North Borneo, providing training to local militia, as well as conducting intelligence gathering operations, hit and run operations against the occupying forces and laying the ground work for the invasion and victory to follow. We will also be introducing you to Z Force the eccentric but legendary Tom Harrisson, and Chester Gore, the sacrifices of Alexander Funk and Jemedar Singh in Sandakan, of the members of the Kwok rebellion who were massaccred at Petagas, opposite modern day Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
Sabahans have a long, and proud history with Australian and the United Kingdom that dates back to the early 1800's. And in this regard, the RSR Ultra will bring together a great mix of personalities, coming together to compete for various reasons and to complete the 200 kilometer challenge that cost the lives of thousands. And, upon finishing, you will have an opportunity to remember those who lost their lives during harsh and difficult times and many, till today, remain forgotten.
I would not be here today if it were not for the kind help of a native on Labuan Island who risked his life to sneak in food and medicine for my grandfather who was held as a prisoner of war during the second world war so the event does have significant meaning to me as well.
The deathmarch RSR will be an event not to be missed and the event will be limited to a mere 100 runners only as we need to pass through a number of sections which are restricted due to the fact these area's are classed as 1st class forests and are home to sun bears, orang utans and other wild life that are protected. We want to have as minimal an impact in these area's as possible. However, do NOT expect jungle sections for the entire race course as over time, there has been tremendous change on the landscape in Sabah so expect little mercy from the North Borneo sun over the entire 5 days of the race.
Have a great week ahead and good luck to all TMBT Ultra Marathon competitors competing in early November in Malaysia's first 100k ultra trail marathon. The pride of Malaysia.
Aman Avtar S.Sandhu
Race Director
SAC
