| Khairil Hassan |
SOME 470 runners have confirmed participation in the Brunei Unexpected Kingdom Ultra Marathon (BUKUM), the first-ever 24-hour ultra-marathon race to be held on December 1-2.
A press conference yesterday revealed that 470 runners from 10 countries will participate in the race which is hosted in conjunction with Brunei December Festival 2018. Present were Operations Manager of AKK Design Faizal bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive of AKK Design Sazali bin Mohd Ariff and Assistant Operations Manager Dullah bin Jumat.
The race will see runners from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, United States of America, Canada, Italy, Germany and Brunei.
Four runs will be contested – 115km, 60km, 30km and a 3km Fun Run.
The 115km marathon will start at 9pm in Labi (Belait District); the 60km marathon starts at midnight at Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park (Tutong District); the 30km marathon will start at 6am at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien in the capital (Brunei-Muara District). The 3km Fun Run will also start at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien at 6.15am.
Runners will be able to experience diverse culture, landmarks and atmosphere of Brunei.
The 115km route will cover Labi, the back roads of the rural areas of Merangking, Kampong Bukit, Long Mayan and will pass through Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park where 60km runners will start, through Rambai, Padnunok, Wasan, Limau Manis and Junjongan, eventually heading to the city centre towards the finish line at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien.
There will be seven check points, two water stations and two medical centres for the 115km marathon; four check points, three water stations and one medical centre for the 60km marathon, while the 30km race will have four check points, three water stations and two medical centres.
The race-kit distribution will be held on November 27-29 at the AKK Design office at Bangunan Haji Munchit in Berakas.
More details can be found at its Instagram page @bruneiultramarathon.
The sporting event is hosted in collaboration with the Brunei Tourism Board. Members of Brunei local ethnic communities will play various roles at various points of the race.