By Mohd Azhar Ibrahim

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- The third edition of Taman Negara Eco-challenge (TNEC) was concluded recently in Pahang.

The TNEC is an extreme adventure sport where over a three-day period, four-member teams traversed across punishing terrain, competing in disciplines such as jungle trekking, whitewater rafting and running, with minimum rations and equipment.

They have to reach the designated checkpoints within a predetermined time frame. The team that recorded the fastest average time wins the race.

This year's event, themed the Taman Negara Eco-challenge 2008 Trans-Titiwangsa, covered a distance of 150km from Tanah Rata in Cameron Highlands to Kuala Medang in Lipis, both in Pahang.

"The previous two editions of the TNEC were conducted at Taman Negara. This time around, we decided to provide a new perspective as well as promote other tourist attractions in the state," Pahang Tourism Action Council general manager, Idros Yahya said at a press conference on the eve of the event.

"This year's trail will take participants across scenic locations such as tea plantations, vegetable farm and floral gardens before they hit the tough jungle and mountainous sections. The final stage requires teams to navigate Sungai Jelai in bamboo rafts before running another 10km to the finishing line.

"Since Pahang has lots to offer in the way of eco-tourism, future TNEC events will most likely be held in different locations," Idros said.

The inclusion of a special category for the print and electronic media is an added attraction in this year's race.

ROYAL FLAG OFF

The Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah flagged off nineteen teams at Tanah Rata in Cameron Highlands for the first leg of the race.

The 64-km journey involved an easy trot through the woodlands, before the terrain got progressively steeper as competitors approached the Mardi station on their way up the 1,812-metre Gunung Beremban.

They then passed the Robinson Waterfall and several Orang Asli settlements before reaching the first checkpoint at the Boh Tea Plantation, where His Royal Highness had gracefully consented to officially stamp the teams' passports.

Despite one of its members suffering from dehydration, Team Solomon Suunto clocked home four hours forty minutes at the final check point in Pos Lemoi, ahead of the six-hour qualifying time. One of the team member, forty-two-year old Guianus Salagan, was immediately rushed to the Tanah Rata Hospital for treatment before he was allowed to rejoin his team.

The ATM Sungai Udang Team (Special Forces) clocked in five minutes later.

However, in the Open Category many were just physically unprepared for the strenuous regime. Of the five teams competing in this category, only Musik FM managed to make it. Nevertheless, the rest sportingly decided to carry on for the duration regardless of their disqualification.

PERILIOUS TRAIL

The next day, participants had to scale mountainous terrain reaching some 6,000 feet and gingerly negotiate narrow and steep slopes on the way down. Altogether, they had to cover a distance of 77km in 10 hours.

Heavy downpour the previous night made the trail all the more perilous, resulting in minor landslides and water run offs that washed away many route markers. Inevitably, many were left clueless as to which direction to go.

But camaraderie and esprit de corps saved the day.

"We knew we had a comfortable lead, so we took time to search for the missing markers and put them up again for the benefit of those behind," Solomon Suunto team leader, 44-year old Mohd Puzi Dolah said.

They even went out of their way to carry out hasty repairs at certain sections of the trail, to make it easier for those behind.

Inaccurate assessment of the distance between Checkpoint 8 and Pos Lemoi, the final destination for Stage 2, created lot of confusion all round.

Marshals manning Checkpoint 8 informed racers they only had another 18km left to go before reaching the finishing line. On hearing this, participants summoned up the last vestiges of their fast depleting stamina to finish the remaining distance.

But after running for more than two hours, it dawned on them that they had been misinformed. By then, many were reduced to a crawl. As a result, only a handful managed to meet the qualifying time.

There were stragglers well after the 6pm deadline.

"It took us four hours to cover 64km in the first day. Running at the same pace, we took just as long to cover Checkpoint 8 to Pos Betau. The distance separating them is definitely more than 18km," said Mohd Puzi, whose team managed to finished the course in nine hours.

When there was no signs of the Musik FM team well past midnight, event organiser Temerloh Outdoor Sport Management & Service sent a search and rescue party to locate them.

It was 3am when the rescue party returned with the team. They were in deep slumber when the search party stumbled upon them in the middle of the jungle. Apparently one member had collapsed from exhaustion before the rest decided to stop as well.

Three other teams including one from Singapore were disqualified because of injuries suffered by one of their members.

Stage 2 separated the men from the boys.

STIFF COMPETITION

The rivalry among the top three teams comprising Solomon Suunto, ATM Sungai Udang and VAT 69A grew intense in the final leg of the race.

While members of the first team were civilians who were regulars at extreme sport events and marathons, the other two were elite Special Forces units from the police.

Solomon Suunto eventually emerged as champion and took home the Challenge Trophies - Suunto Vector sport watches and RM10,000 cash prize.

ATM Sungai Udang came second and received Challenge Trophies, Deuter Bags and RM7,000.

The VAT 69A commandos had to be satisfied with the RM5,000 cash prize, Challenge Trophies and Peak Coleman Tents for the third placing.

For their never-say-die spirit, Team Musik FM won top marks in the media category. They took home RM2,000.

Mingguan Malaysia emerged second and Panorama RTM in third placing with both receiving RM1,500 and RM1,000 respectively.

PERFECT HOST

Residents of Kampung Kuala Medang, who is said to operate the best homestay programme in Pahang, played the perfect host, cooking up an array of local cuisine for the prize giving dinner held at the local multi-purpose hall.

Local youths, including the Orang Asli children, put up a fine cultural performance to entertain diners.

There was a sea of weary but smiling faces as everyone spun their own yarn and exchanged friendly repartees about taking on each other in next year's event.

Already, they are clamouring for additional disciplines like mountain biking, abseiling and caving to be included in the next year's challenge.

-- BERNAMA