Taking trail running to a higher level

Radha (third from right) giving away prizes to the winners.

THE Deuter Trail Run series was first flagged off in Putrajaya Challenge Park in 2013 as a fun run to promote trail running to urban folk in the Klang Valley.

After moving the event to Batu Arang, Selangor two years ago, the organisers decided to hold the annual run in Bukit Larut Forest Reserve, Taiping, Perak, this year.

As with previous years, Universal Fitness & Leisure Sdn Bhd (UFL) assumed the role of co-organiser. “This year, we decided to move the run to a new location as we wanted to drive local tourism to Perak, where the Sukma games just ended.

“With the support of Taiping Municipal Council, we were able bring the trail-run action to Bukit Larut Forest Reserve in Taiping.

Returning as title sponsor, Deuter, a popular German backpack brand also distributed by UFL, hopes to solidify the brand’s grip on the outdoor market and yearns for Deuter to be synonymous with the high-octane sport of trail running.

“We hope to have Deuter at the forefront of trail running, hiking and trekking in Malaysia. Trail running is an outdoor activity which requires immense concentration and training, and when coupled with the right equipment, such as Deuter backpacks and accessories, can increase the performance of the trail runner,” added Radha.

Despite the long weekend, a total of 1,000 runners from all over Malaysia took part in the event. “Many Malaysians are seeking more challenging ways to compete. Runners want more challenging race routes and to break away from conventional road running.

“With the Deuter Trail Run series, we hope to give recreational and professional runners the opportunity to challenge themselves to reach their optimum potential.

“This year’s run at Bukit Larut had more obstacles and hillier terrains compared to last year with 2 main race routes distanced at 7km and 15km each,” said Radha.

“Many participants found this year’s route to be the most challenging of the series. Some found it hard to complete but managed to do so before the cut-off time.

“Despite careful planning, this year, we faced some technical issues but we have studied the concerns highlighted by participants and will see to it that they are not repeated in the following events.

“Also, starting next year, the trail run will be retooled to include other exciting spin-off events which we will announce soon,” he added.

| Star Metro