Locals, foreigners compete in extreme sports at Rompin State Park

ROMPIN - Cycling through hilly routes and braving river currents were among the challenges endured by participants of the Adventure Race Asia Series Rompin 2022 (AR Rompin 2022), which was held for the first time at the Rompin State Park here today.

Race director James Chee said 42 people from Malaysia and overseas took part in the two-member and four-member team events, which required them to complete the 70 km challenge at the recreation centre.

The participants had to compete in energy-sapping activities involving running, cycling, tubing, abseiling and tyrolean traverse, he said.

"This programme is very challenging as the participants have to traverse hilly routes on bicycles while enjoying nature, apart from passing through Orang Asli settlements and Felda (Federal Land Development Authority) areas," he told Bernama.

Also present at the event were Tourism Malaysia senior director (Strategic Planning Division) Syed Yahya Syed Othman and Rompin Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Hasan Arifin.

The programme, organised jointly by the Rompin State Park and ARWS Malaysia Sdn Bhd, also featured a 10 km individual run involving more than 70 participants, including students of GiatMara Rompin.

The four-member team category was won by Norazrin Kamsor Azrin, Mohd Azuan Asmuni, Muhammad Syamsul Erry Abdullah and Yusof Abdul Manan, who walked away with RM3,000 cash, while Singapore’s Kim Hong Yeo and Ying Zhi Chua emerged tops in the two-member team event and won RM1,500.

Meanwhile, Rompin State Park manager Mohd Ros Effendi Ramli Chua said the location was suitable for hosting extreme sports as apart from having good and challenging tracks, it also possessed facilities for treatment rooms and accommodation.

"We look forward to organising more such events in the future as we see the potential in attracting participants to the forests which are estimated to be 140 million years old," he added.

He said other activities lined up for the park include a Bird Race on Sept 17 this year. - BERNAMA