Mt KK Climbathon in Star

What an excellent title by the Star reporter: I am pleased to inform that there is an article in the Star newspaper today (Wedn, 20 October 2010; Metro pg M22) for the Mount Kinabalu Climbathon team. In three days' time, the team shall go for the mother-of-all climbathon event in Malaysia.

Click here to read the Star Online direct.

Click here to read all previous postings on Mt KK Climbathon 2010.


On a High to Conquer Low’s Peak

Wednesday October 20, 2010

By NG WEI LOON

ENDURANCE fitness buff Tony Quay will be out to accomplish a more gratifying end in his second appearance at the 24th Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon on Oct 23 and 24.

After failing to make it to the Low’s Peak in his debut last year, the 51-year-old is returning to compete in the men’s veteran (above 40 years) section on the opening day (Oct 23) of the meet.

This time, the determined Tony is aiming to fulfil his target of reaching the 8.72km mark within the stipulated time of three-and-half hours before tackling the challenging descending return trip to the finish line near the Kinabalu Park headquarters.

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Stepping up: The group comprising mostly first-timers is all set for the gruelling Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon.

Tony admitted he had an agonising first outing when he suffered cramps on both his thighs one kilometre away from the summit (Low’s Peak).

“It was a painful experience to get back down especially when I was in such weak physical shape. Despite the fatigue, I knew that I should carry on walking at my own pace to the finish line. My condition would have got worse had I stopped,” he added.

And the upcoming excursion will be Tony’s 20th visit to Mount Kinabalu rated with net elevation of 1,866.4m from Timpohon Gate to Low’s Peak of 4,095.2m.

“I have gone up there 18 times on a leisurely pace. It will be a different approach in a race against time. I consider it more demanding than running the 42km distance on the road. But, I am prepared for this campaign. I began preparations in May. It is important to keep warm and hydrated to complete the downward journey in three hours in securing a hard earned recognition as a finisher,” said Tony, adding that his friend Yee Choi clocked 3’15 on the way up to finish with a respectable time of 5’23 last year.

Tony will be part of a large organised group from the Klang Valley comprising a total of 45 entries leaving for the three-night and four-day trip on the eve of the race day.

On the right track: E.K. Tee (front) leading the pack followed by KC Leong during one of their outings to Gunung Nuang in Hulu Selangor.

They will be making an attempt to finish the race within the qualifying marks.

For the more competitive men’s open race on the final day (Sunday), the competitors will have to reach the summit within two-and-half hours before heading down in not more than two hours (total of four-and-half hours).

Meanwhile, the women participants will be featuring in the race as the veterans with similar regulation time (within the period of three-and-half hour up followed another three hours down) a day earlier (Saturday).

The group’s co-ordinator K.C. Leong said the group, comprising mostly first-timers, are excited about embarking on their adventure at the event.

“We have set personal targets according to our respective abilities. Most of us enjoy long distance running and trekking over the weekends. We realise that it is going to be an uphill task for us to make the cut. Several of us have been taking part in various full marathon road races. But, we will need to overcome another two more elements for the Mount Kinabalu climb. The altitude and the cold weather are the additional two tricky factors. It is amazing that we have worked up the courage to get to the starting line,” he added.

Besides their regular training sessions at Gunung Nuang in Hulu Langat and Batu Caves in Gombak, they have also competed in two series of the Negri Sembilan climbing circuit.

They took part in the event at Gunung Datuk in early April followed by Gunung Angsi at the beginning of May as a build-up to the much anticipated Mount Kinabalu challenge.

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Posted by KC Leong

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