Pahang Eco in Kuantan on Malaysia’ east coast proved once more that trail races do not need to be 100k to be extremely tough. The 50k race challenged even the most experienced of participants due to the technicality of the trails and the suffocating heat of the day. Sua Yih Huan was a convincing race winner in the men’s, and in the women’s it was Singapore-based Chinese Wei Xinshuang who took top honours. The winners’ finishing times says it all: 9h23 for Sua Yih Huan, 11h30 for Wei Xinshuang. This was just a 50k race…

The race venue was near the beach of Teluk Cempedak in Kuantan. Runners had to cross a few bukits such as Bukit Tokki and Bukit Pelindung, whereby the Tokki Hills turned out to be incredibly raw and tough. Another more relaxing feature is the section along the shoreline beach.

Achmad Aqwa Othman was an early leader in the race, which was interesting given that a week ago he still ran Cameron Ultra. Sua Yih Huan, however, would catch up with him and take command of the race to finish 30 minutes ahead of Aqwa Othman. Another half hour back was Syahmim Bin Nazmy in third place.

Chong Mei Tze was going well in the women’s race, but the high technical level of the trails was probably not in her favour. Grandmaster Siokhar Lim, on the other hand, is always very high up the leaderboard when things get really tough and rough. No surprise she came in ahead of Chong Mei Tze in second place. But the winner came from Singapore: Wei Xinshuang managed to put 19 minutes between herself and Siokhar Lim, and scored a great victory in the same way as her friend Vincere Zeng a week ago at Cultra.

The top 3 men & women of 2022 Pahang Eco

We are happy to announce another new ATM Candidate Race taking place on 23/24 July in Kuantan, on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. Pahang Eco, organised by Elpis Event Management, offers three main race categories of which the 50k is the longest. Start and finish is on Teluk Cempedak Beach, but the run in the hinterland is not to be underestimated. The 50k has a total advertised elevation gain of 2850 hm, which is considerable. Less ambitious runners can also choose the 25k or 12k options.

This race course traverses through the white sandy beach and beautiful pine trees lining the coast, with some rocky promontories facing the incessant waves of the South China Sea and beautiful trails of Bukit Pelindung and Bukit Tokki. The cut-off time at the finish is 18 hours.

The event aims to promote healthy lifestyle practices in the community, and provide exposure and awareness of the environment, especially coastal areas and forests that are still preserved. Pahang Eco also will help raise the image, and introduce Kuantan in particular as a holiday destination to outsiders.

Further details can be obtained on the official webpage, where you can also find the online registration.