Running with horses at Batu Arang course

About 3,000 runners took part in the fifth and final edition of the Deuter International Trail Run in Batu Arang, Selangor. — Photos: RICKY LAI/The Star

GETTING to Batu Arang for Deuter’s International Trail Run was easier this time around after using the same route last year.

Nothing much has changed since my last visit. The winding roads were still dark and misty at 6.30am with only a few dimly lit streetlights along the way.

Driving through the last stretch towards the clock tower, the town’s landmark, remained a challenge with the occasional sighting of wild monkeys running out of the jungle with their troops.

However, once you complete this stressful part of the journey, you are ready to explore the quiet town of Batu Arang.

Similar to 2016, the race organisers chose to stay at the same spot after receiving positive response from participants who enjoyed the lesser-known route.

“Not many people have been to Batu Arang and the participants were anxious to get to know the place when we announced this town as our race venue,” said event director Azlihana Abdul Rahim.

At about 7.15am, the participants gathered in the town, walking past numerous landmarks in the former mining town’s popular spots before making their way to an agro-tech park.

Horses were part of this year’s race as participants had to run an extra distance in Bukit Kuda, home to the park’s eight horses.

This was when the adventure began for the 3,000-odd participants who were looking for a mix of sandy and mud-filled paths.

Such terrains can often be daunting for runners who are not equipped with proper shoes. In this case, runners should wear suitable trail shoes to give them the much-needed grip when tackling those muddy spots.

Although some of these shoes are costly, it is worth spending a bit more if you want to get serious about trail running and obstacle racing.

I learnt my lesson after taking part in the Genting Trailblazer race with an old pair of running shoes.

Not only did they slip off my feet several times, they also got stuck in the mud as the shoe lacked traction.

For this race, there were two entrances which the organisers fondly named “suffer gates”; they were located between four water stations on the hilly route.

To make things interesting, Azlihana’s team added an extra course to stretch the race to 14km.

Participants refuelling at one of the four water stations along the trail route.

The added stretch took runners through Bukit Kuda, home to the park’s eight horses.

“It is not every day that you get to run with horses. We thought it would be fun and make an Instagram-worthy spot for casual runners,” she said, adding that this year’s race was tougher with a higher elevation of 520m.

Just as you start feeling the effects of running uphill, music from the finishing line could be heard blaring through the speakers, signifying that the end of the race was near.

There is nothing more satisfying than knowing you have conquered yet another trail race.

It was the organisers’ fifth run and they decided to end the Deuter International Trail Run with this last chapter – the final curtain.

Participants running through an oil palm plantation in the agro-tech park.

“We want to start a new chapter next year, hopefully by introducing trail races with longer routes of about 18km to 20km,” said Azlihana, who felt that most participants in the race were no longer new to trail running and seeking to challenge themselves further.

I am already looking forward to what her team is planning for next year!