Mt Kinabalu Climbathon 2011

The world's toughest mountain race - the 25th Mount Kinabalu Climbathon – ended with much heightened spirit, excitement and fond memories. We were glad to be there participating in the same event.

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The race was keenly contested between Kilian Jornet of Italy who is a 3-time champion of the Skyrunner World Series from 2007-2009 and Marco de Gasperi, the champion of Mount Kinabalue Climbathon in 2003 and 2010.

Do click here to view photos taken by yours truly (KC). In Picasa Web Photo Album, click Slideshow for bigger displays.

 The message is clear ...

With a group of 40 plus runners from Kuala Lumpur jointly organize by Tony and yours truly (KC), this time; we have six members (inclusive of one lady) who successfully reached the summit (within 3.5 hours) and crossed the finishing line within qualifying time of 6.5 hours.

Even Kilian, during the interview, attest that it is indeed the world's toughest mountain race with the unique one way up and down within a race.

 

Test of endurance and determination - Seen from yours truly (KC’s) eyes on the way up the mountain.

 

Yours truly (KC) posing before Sayat Sayat, the gateway to the peak.

 

A lady runner running down the mountain after returning from Low’s Peak, the summit.

 Not good enough ... with all the training that I put in ... click here, I could only go thus far at 7.5km mark, still fall short of another 1.3 km to the peak within the 3.5 hours of qualifying time for ascent.

Wilson Liew and Patricia Yap at the rope area with many runners returning from peak.

 

The next day (Sunday, 23 October 2011) supporting the Men’s Open category

 

The Champion - Spain's Kilian Jornet won the 25th Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon, dethroning last year's winner, Marco De Gasperi of Italy. Kilian clocked 2:37.04s ahead of Marco de Gasperi who came in second who is only 44 seconds slower.

 

Kilian's countryman, Luis Alberto Hernando came in third, who is 5 min 32 seconds slower.

 Dr Shara and Wendy Liu posing with Marco de Gasperi, the 1st Runner Up. Notice that he wear the same green running vest and short as last year... do click here. Though he is only 44 seconds slower than Kilian, Marco de Gasperi was the first to reach the summit in 1:37.49s, earning him a gold medal, but he slipped and fell half way when descending the mountain (according to the news report).

 

The legs of a champion with the rugged veins that power one up and down the tough, uneven and tricky terrain

 

Yours truly (KC) posing with the Champion of 25^th Mt Kinabalu Climbathon  - Kilian Jornet of Spain

 

All smiles for a different reason ... For Men’s Open category, the cut-off time is only 2.5 hours (1 hour shorter compared to Men’s Veteran and Women’s categories).

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For those who have not ventured deeper or higher into the mountain, they would take much earlier time to return and cross the finishing line.

 

Yeah, give me a HI FIVE ... a group of lady climbers from Philippine cheering the runners about 200 meters before crossing the finishing line.

Alex AngMoe of Penang (a 7-time Ironman; in yellow) posing with a group of Philippine climbers; Rashel is second from right.

Yeah, my proud daddy did it !!!

The award presentation and buffet lunch for officially closing the event. While the participants dine, we were treat with the local dances.

This would be the last year where the mission is to run up to the peak.

Starting next year – the 26^th Mt Kinabalu Climbathon 2012 - a runner would ascend to mid-point at Layang Layang (2,702m) and then descend the mountain by returning via Mecilau and end at a Kundasan village.

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Do click here for Part 2 and latest postings of Mount Kinabalu Climbathon 2010.

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Posted by KC Leong

Mt KK Climbathon 2011 – Here we Come

In two days' time, we shall be heading to the formidable mountain – Mount Kinabalu – for the Mount Kinabalu Climbathon 22-23 October 2011.

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We have been training very hard in the local hills/mountain in Kuala Lumpur and the mother-of-all local Climbathon event is finally here. It is going to be the 25th climbathon and the last race to Low's Peak. As informed, starting next year, it would be more of a trail running event (detour mid-way at Layang-Layang to Mecilau) rather than an extreme challenge.
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Yes, we shall charge up the mountain kow kow on event day as this would be the last chance we head to the peak ... :-)

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If you watch the movie, Real Steel, COURAGE is stronger than steel for the showdown ... Yeah, we need peak courage for this challenge to reach the summit   ... :-)

The King of Mountains – Marco De Gasperi, the champion (Men’s Open 2010) from Italy only takes 2 hours 33 minutes to return (from running to the peak). One way to the peak is only 01:35:29. Amazing feat !

This is the most satisfying photo taken by yours truly (KC). When Marco extends his arms while crossing the finishing line, it is as though he is carrying the Malaysian flag beneath his arm. (photographic equipment courtesy of SCHOnline)

Let me share with you a light-hearted conversation leading to Mt KK Climbathon 2011:

Challenger A: I am wondering how to bring my Red Bull energy drink along since I only bring hand-carry luggage in the flight to Kota Kinabalu. Hope they sell there.

Challenger B: Have you fined-tune the lead time for the energy drink to take effect? Sound like a good idea to take this drink and charge up the mountain like a bull ... ha ha

Challenger C: Local strategy ... consume bananas every day until this Friday (eve of the Climbathon) and drink plenty of water…. Hmmm, no cramps some more.

Challenger A: 45 minutes of lead time for the drink to turbo-charge your engine.

Challenger B: Okay, the banana and Red Bull drink sound like a potent formula. Not only we charge up the mountain, we can also swing from trees to trees (like monkey) to gain time, if necessary  ... :-)

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As for Alex, he has a unique trade secret for the extra boast of energy ... For those who like to drink, Mount Kinabalu is going to be cold so you need extra CALORIES. From now on drink Guinness Stout one bottle or 3 pegs of DOM every night that will give you extra energy and calories.

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Do click here to read/view photos of Mt KK Climbathon 2011 happening on 22-23 October.

See you at the starting line

Try Our Best

Posted by KC Leong

Final training at Batu Caves

The steps training at Batu caves on Saturday, 15 October 2011 mark the final training before we take on the Mount Kinabalu Climbathon challenge on 22 October 2011.

It was a last minute change of venue from Gunung Nuang as this is supposed to be a safe and easy training (since we have come thus far in training).

A few of the other participants are doing their trainings at Apek Hill and Gunung Nuang also.

Do click here to view photos taken by yours truly (KC). Three photos in the album are by courtesy of Mak CK.

 

The challenging 252 steps of Batu Caves. Try going up in quick succession, you will experience how tough it is ... :-)

 

L-R: Mak CK, Tee EK, ChongYF, KC Leong, Patricia Yap and Eileen Gan.

 

Amazing power – 500c.c. x 24 bottles x 3 boxes = 12kg x 3 = 36 kg !!

I helped to carry another box and I have to take a breather at mid-point.

 

A group of Chinese nationals from Shanghai are visiting Batu Caves. This guy is not very fit. Not used to the steep gradient, he almost fainted that gives us the scare.

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We tried to offer our help much to the appreciation of his lady group members who said that we are very helpful and kind.

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MakCK is trying to keep him awake by engaging in conversation with him.

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We later accompany him to go down the steps for fearing that he would trip and fall.

 L-R: Mak CK, Micki and friend and KC Leong

 

Micki’s Microsoft Extreme Challenge versus MakCK’s Terry Fox Run. Mak is assisting in promoting the run that will be held at Padang Merbok on 13 Nov 2011.

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Terry Fox Run T-Shirt for charity is RM30 each. Get one today from MakCK to raise money for cancer research !!

 

Very yow yeng pose ... Patricia Yap, Eileen Gan and Micki

 Flexing the muscle ... Steven and his loved one

 

Auspicious entrance ... L-R: ChongYF, Patricia, KC Leong, TeeEK, Steven Onn and his loved ones, Eileen Gan.

 

Patricia Yap showing the Terry Fox Run T-shirt that she is supporting ... this photo courtesy of Mak CK.

 

Temple in Batu Caves

We adjourn for breakfast at the Indian stalls within the compound of Batu Caves ... Patricia holding the nicely done wafer thin pancakes (Dosai) that is in the shape of a hat.

Posted by KC Leong

G.Nuang Trail Training

After months of trail training, the day for the Mount Kinabalu Climbathon challenge on 22 October 2011 is almost here. With two more weekends to go, part of the group members went for the trail training at Gunung Nuang on Saturday, 8 Oct 2011.

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The final training at Gunung Nuang will this coming Saturday, 15 October 2011.

Click here to view photo taken by yours truly (KC) ... click Slideshow for bigger displays.

Tough guys at Gunung Nuang - (L-R): Chong YF, Leong WW & 2 friends, Rothman Fong, ChooTS, Sivalingam, Mak CK, Chiew Hong, Dr Shara, KC Leong

 Various type of trail running shoes. Okay, I notice that half of the guys are with hairy legs. Are you able to guess which is yours truly's shoes?

 

Before the stream crossing - Dr Shara, ChooTS, MakCK, Chong YF and KC Leong

 

At the signature tree of Kem Pacat ... Dr Shara, Mak CK, ChooTS, Rothman Fong, Chiew Hong, KC Leong with ChongYF high above

 Many campers are seen camping at Camp Lolo also

 

Stream crossing made easier -- MakCK looking at the kids playing in the water ...

 

Some kind-hearted people even tight a good quality rope across the stream to facilitate safe crossing of stream. Seen here are two models demonstrating the usefulness of the rope when confront with slippery landing ... :-)

 

Adjourn for lunch; this time, we went to a different restaurant located between Hulu Langat Batu 14 and the Ampang Lookup Point.

 As recommended by the waiter, we ordered grilled tilapia fish and pandan chicken

 

The tilapia fishes are caught and then cook and serve...

Preparing the grilled lamb

Posted by KC Leong

Impression of China (2)

The journey continues ... do click here to view photos in 2nd album by courtesy of yours truly (KC).

Our cruise ship spent a night lay at anchor in this area.
 

That reminded me of my Mount Rinjani trekking trip (Lombok Island; June 2011) where we just pitch the tents and camped out-of-no-where in the wilderness ... click here.

 

Taking a boat ride in the Shen Nong Xi (or river). Powered by 4 boatmen, they can carry almost 15 persons.

To earn a daily wage of 3 Yuans, they have to came from far in the same boat for almost 2 hours (one way).

 

Trackers of Shen Nong Xi (or river) pulling the boat

 

This is the commercial shot extracted from Internet; it always look much better compare to real life ... :-)

With the construction of the dam across Yangtze River, the water level rises substantially.

All the peripheral streams/rivers are now swell with water; so the trackers don’t have to pull their boats in the shallow water anymore.

When we took the boat ride, they just demonstrated to us how the boat was pulled (photo above) – minus the action in nude ... :-)

 

Linda, the guide of our Shen Nong River cruise, introducing the history and culture of the tribes here. She lives in the nearby village.

Accompanying the sales of the book, she also sings one of the songs in the audio CD that is being promoted.

 

The journey on the Yangtze River continues with the spectacular and unique landscape ...

 

On this afternoon, we have 2 hours or less of sunshine. It was cloudy on most of the days on or before boarding the cruise ship.

 

Many of the towns are established along the river.

 

The primary image on the reverse side of the new 10 Yuan note is a view of the famous breathtaking Three Gorges of the Yangzi River.

The horizontal line at the gorge is the upper limit of water level marked by heavy rainfall.

 

Debris is seen floating on the river after massive flooding at upstream due to bad weather.

The same bad weather was experienced at Zhangjiajie when we went up the mountains and could not see any view.

 

Buffet meals offered in the cruise ship. Every time we started our meal, whether breakfast, lunch or dinner, the cruise ship would start to move.

So, what is your deduction?

 

Farewell Banquet Dinner hosted by the Captain on the final evening before we arrive at the destination - ChongQing city

 

We started the journey from Yi Chang; passing by Three Gorges Dam and disembarked at ChongQing.

 

The staff or workers in the cruise ship double-up as armature performers to entertain the passengers.

 

Arriving at ChongQing city with a population of 33 million people (even more than the whole of Malaysia)

 

Breakfast at the 39^th floor of The Landmark International Hotel, Guangzhou.

 

Sightseeing at Guangzhou new commercial square. The tallest building here is the Guangzhou Business Convention Centre.

 

Yours truly (KC) with Guangzhou’s telecom transmission tower in the background.

 

This is an elegantly designed car made in China that can rival those cars from Japan.

 

Free and easy shopping at Shang Xia Jiu Square (direct translation: Up Down Nine Square) where the whole street of almost 1km long are lined with shops; lots of shoppers here.

Enchanting night view of Pearl River (or Zhu Jiang). The Landmark International Hotel is on the far left.

Posted by KC Leong