STARTING POINT: Participants in the trekking event starting the run at the plateau of BHR. — Photo by Churchill Edward
CELEBRATION: Leong (holding mock cheque) celebrating with participants from Malaysian Armed Forces (all in track suits). — Photo by Churchill Edward
LEADING THE PACK: Leong in action.
TAKING OFF: Participants taking part in the cycling cum trekking event starting their sprint. — Photo by Churchill Edward
PADAWAN: Winner of the men’s category of the 2013 Borneo Highlands Run, Naruto Leong, treats running seriously.
Apart from making sure that he is fit to run in any competition, Leong would survey the route a few days before the start of the competition. That is, if the venue is within reach.
A week before the 2013 Borneo Highlands Run, he prepared himself by running along the steep road to the Borneo Highlands Resort (BHR).
Leong, 49, is a civilian staff of the State Police Department.
Although he did not find the route more challenging than the previous runs he competed in, he advised runners to make sure that they are well prepared for any competition by keeping themselves fit and healthy.
“One must take care of one’s health and be fit if they want to take up running as a sport. You will need to be fit especially when running uphill and downhill,” he pointed out.
On the run, Leong said he managed to complete the 8km run in 57 minutes, admitting it was not his best time.
The 8km run for men was one of the four categories competed in the one-day Borneo Highlands Padawan Nature Challenge (BHPNC) 2013 here on Saturday.
“The heat caused me to slow down otherwise the time could have been better,” he claimed.
His female counterpart Tan Sii En, a clerk in a private firm, said though she participated in the 8km run for fun she still managed to beat her nearest rivals – Lau Siew Seng (second place) and Lim Soo Sian (third).
The 40-year-old said she kept fit by jogging almost daily at the MBKS park in Kuching.
“I am running for fun and health. It is not solely for the prize money,” she claimed.
Chong Yen Boon, a 24-year-old staff of Sin Chong Goldsmith emerged second and Loh Leong Hua, 32, a labourer from Kapit came in third at the 8km run for men.
The run (for men and women) started around 9am. Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang flagged off the runners at the foothill of BHR.
The other categories in the BHPNC 2013 event were the MPP Chairman Challenge Trophy (cycling cum trekking team event), Magnum Penrissen Summit Trekking Challenge and Malta Batu Panggah Trekking Challenge.
Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg closed the programme by giving away the main prizes.
The BHPNC 2013 was jointly organised by MPP, the state government and BHR while the event manager was Absolute Cool Event. Among the corporate sponsors were Magnum, Malta, Weida, HSL, Ayam Brand, Lee Fah, Vegood, Milo, Revive, Julie’s and Kokokam.