ORANG ASLI TRAIL RUN 2012

The Orang Asli (OA) (Indigenous People) Trail Run 2012 was held for the second year at kampung 16, Jalan Bentong Lama (GPS coordiates: 3.325979, 101.754792) by the Running For Orang Asli support group. We all run for various reasons but the noble objectives of the organiser for the Orang Asli Trail Run was heart warming. This year, the purpose of the run was primarily for:

1. For Kg Batu 14, Jalan Bentong Lama, a piece of the OA land is being cultivated to be a showcase of OA houses and huts for community centers exemplifying the lifestyle and culture of OA. The intention for this center is to create an eco tourism business for the villagers as extra income whilst maintaining their heritage. This is a sustainable project that the Running for Orang Asli group would like to assist. Reasons to which why they are yet to a obtain government grants will be made known in the event.

2. For Kg Batu 16, Jalan Bentong Lama, this event is created to give an avenue for them to earn extra income by providing the venue for the run, volunteers as marshalls and guides, and for cooking some OA dishes. The OA too would prefer to work for their income rather than be always dependant on donations.

Although the CHIEF'S ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP (COBC) Community run merely for fitness and health but we were all in support for the cause of the support group to raise fund for the betterment of the indigenous people. In fact, our COBC recruit May Lyn Wong had even registered herself as a volunteer for the group. In an army of more a few dozens pax, we convoyed to the OA basecamp.

But before reaching the Orang Asli (OA) basecamp, we gathered first for some food to fueled us throughout the journey into the jungle!! We makan at ... err... Mc Donalds? Although the food was not part of our staple diet but it was one of those food that is not available in the jungle.. so we makan!!!

Spotted!!! COBC recruits in Mc Donalds!!!

Shear Ling Toh... in Mc Donalds!

Tan Wee Liam, Elgy, Patricia and May Lyn.. in Mc Donalds!!

Bootcampers makan Mc Donalds!!

Tan Wee Liam, Elgy and Patricia

Advance Tan, Dixon Thum, Jason Tan, Mein Mein

Sarge (COBC) Nawal & Maslina Ahmad Ismail.. in MC DONALDS!!

Advance Tan kantoi makan Mc Donalds

In anticipation to life in the jungle.. everyone makan Mc Donalds...

Especially Tan Wee Liam slutting with food!!

Tan Wee Liam kantoi @ Mc Donalds

Elgy & Patricia kantoi makan Mc Donalds..

Micaela Soyza and Advance Tan

Preggie Yam Chan Siu Cheh, Shear Ling Toh, Lilian Lee

Lilian Lee, Maslina Ahmad Ismail, Aaraf Armin

Joe Liew Yaw Loong, Chan Meng Yam, Shear Ling Toh, Lilian Lee

John Chuah

John Chuah and Shear Ling Toh.. "Talk to the hand Armin!!"

After makan at the Mc Donalds, we drove for another 10 minutes before reaching our destination where we had to park our cars and walk into the jungle to the starting area.

After approximately 10 minutes of walking.. we arrived and saw many other COBC bootcampers there. With us, there Nawal Aini Zulkifli, Micaela Soyza, Maslina Ahmad Ismail, Dixon Thum, Mein Mein, Advance Tan, May Lyn Wong, Patricia Lim, Tan Wee Liam, Elgy Tan, Jason Tan, Aaraf Armin, John Chuah, Shear Ling Toh, Chan Meng Yam, Lilian Lee, Joe Liew, Zaidi, Vivien Luyen Ow, Yum Kin Kok, Joanitta Zaleha Yusoff, Noor A. Othman, Siew Peng, Armin Baniaz Pahamin and others...

Yum KinKok and Nawal Aini Zulkifli

Nawal Aini Zulkifli, Tan Wee Liam, Micaela Soyza registering for the OATR 2012

Nawal Aini Zulkifli and Aaraf Armin

Preggie Chan Meng Yam, Shear Ling Toh, Mein Mein, Tan Wee Liam

Zaidi and Advance

Shear Ling Toh and Maslina Ahmad Ismial

Shear Ling Toh, Lilian Lee and Maslina Ahmad Ismail

Luyen Ow

Noor A. Othman, Joanita Zaleha Yusoff

There were a short briefing by the organisers..

Karen

Mohan with his mobile video recorder

VIBRAM RULES AT THE ORANG ASLI TRAIL RUN!!

Zul..

Tok Batin of Orang Asli being introduced by Karen

The event was targeted only for 180 runners due to the small route into the jungle.

May Lyn Wong and Elgy Tan

Joannita Zaleha Yusof.. the lady in Black.

Noor A. Othman

The race began!!!

Nawal Aini Zulkifli, Chan Meng Yam and Shear Ling Toh

Wong Siew Peng and Lilian Lee

There were markers every part of the jungle to avoid anyone getting lost..

We had to cross a few rivers..

Spotted!!! ORANG ASLI!!!!

ADVANCE TAN AND TAN WEE LIAM

Micaela Soyza, Patricia Lim, Tan Wee Liam and Maslina Ahmad ismial

If we are lost in the jungle, we can be easily spotted with the kinky long pink socks!!

At certain juncture, there a 45 degree steep climb..

As we get deeper into the jungle.. we spotted more and more Orang Asli!!!

Ori!!!

Tulen!!

Asli!!!

The orang asli crawl quietly into the jungle..

Spotted.. the Asli'est of all the asli!!

All of them were from the Chief's bootcamp asli... original bootcamp!!! Tulen bang!!! Ori!! Real!!!

Spotted ORANG ASLI... !!

Orang Asli..??

We conquered the jungle!!!

Aaraf Armin

Typical!! The soonest we complete our trail!! Someone start slutting with food almost immediately!!

COBC with their Asli Finisher Medal!!!

While we were bragging about our Asli run.. some uncle were showing off his kick ass 35th year anniversary River Kwai International Half Marathon .. but that is typical of COBC recruit.. they conquer one marathon after another.. internationally!!

Spending half a day with the home of the indigenous people, we were all knackered and starving!!! We stopped by the first restaurant fo SUP GEARBOX!!!!