Perak Amanjaya Eco Race 2009
New International Stage Race in Malaysia
Rob Howard / 01.12.2009
A new international Race is taking place this coming week in the state of Perak in Malaysia. It is organised for TV by ESPN STAR Sport Event Management and called the Perak Amanjaya Eco Race 2009. The whole project seems to have been pulled together at the last minute, but despite the lack of publicity and the clash with the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge, it sounds as though the race has a lot going for it. There are some strong pairs entered from established teams and this inaugural race is intended to establish an annual event. What's more it will be screened across Asia on ESPN to 26 countries and a billion households and there are reports of US$40,000 of prize money on offer.
The race is due to run from 2-6th December and follows the increasingly popular stage race format with competitors racing from 5 to 8 hours per day and the total course distance cover 212km. This year it was open to invited pairs only and will iclude Trail Running, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, In-line Skating, Abseiling, Canyoning, Rapelling and Swimming.
The state government of Perak will be hosting the event which begins in the Royal Belum State Park (rainforest) which is the largest continuous forest in Malay Peninsular, is estimated to be as old as 130 million years and receives about 2,200 cm of rain per annum – so expect it to be wet! The area also has its fair share of big cats, venomous snakes, elephant, Sumatran rhino's plus a whole host of other bird and wildlife.
The race will continue in the same area on day 2, while day 3 will be a rest day allowing for a change of location to Pasir Salak, the place where modern Malaysia took shape and the independence movement began. Day 4 includes guided white water rafting and caving, and the final day of competition takes the pairs to Pangkor Island and finishes on the beach.
Teams are coming from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macao, Thailand, Singapore, USA, S. Africa and Sweden and the full entry list is given below. Among the better known racers are two teams from McCain Adventure of S.Africa, Asia Pacific Adventure (which includes Ryan Blair 'fresh' from his run in Hong Kong's Trailwalker, Team Worldofmultisport.com from Sweden and the US teams YogaSlackers and TECNU Extreme/Asolo Adventure Racing. Teams are a mix of male and co-ed pairs. See All Event Posts
