Reebok ONE Challenge 18.95k 2013

This is a real challenge, it is not as easy as running a marathon. Along the way there were many tasks to complete before you can reach the finishing line. Reebok One Challenge 18.95K 2013 was Reebok’s first ever obstacle race in Malaysia and the first of its kind event in Malaysia. It was a new and unique experience to the running community in Malaysia of the evolution of running. The distance of 18.95 km because Reebok was founded in the year 1895 as J.W. Foster and Sons and were the producers of the first spiked running shoes.

2209 participants not only from Malaysia but also Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Germany, Switzerland and Kenya flooded Taman Cabaran, Putrajaya at the wake of Reebok One Challenge 18.95k 2013. On Sept 22^nd as early as 5:30 Sunday morning, participants who were clad in Reebok running vest warmed up intently before the challenge.

At 6:30am, a total of 1725 participants from men category flagged off from Taman Cabaran, Putrajaya, ensued by 484 women who set their feet off 15 minutes behind the men participants. A cut off time of 4 hours 30 minutes were given to all participants to complete the challenge. Along the 18.95km challenge distance, the course were readied with 9 obstacles. Reebok One Challenge was graced by the presence of YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Seri (DR) Aseh bin Hj. Che Mat, President of Perbadanan Putrajaya and Reebok SEA + Global team from Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia & Reebok Global US.

Upon completing 9km of run, participants’ strength were first put to test. The first challenge was to carry a sand bag weighed in at 15kg and run for a distance of 80 meters. The actual contents of the sandbag were rice packets, which were then all donated to Kechara Soup Kitchen. 

Their strength and stamina were further tested on monkey bars, hurdles, ant hills challenge, gradient challenge, trail run and speed shift (tire challenge) that came consecutively one after another. Right at km13.5 stood 6 walls of 10 feet that marked the number 8 obstacle. 

The last challenge that stood between the participants and finish line was the climb over the Ford Rangers. Approximately 800m from race completion, participants from both men and women category were seen nearing the finish line of Reebok One Challenge 18.95K 2013.

Reebok One Challenge 18.95K 2013 Winners, Sponsors and Organizer 

After just 1 hour 7 minutes and 17 seconds into the challenge, a figure emerged into sight. It was Charles Kimingi Thaiya from Kenya who took the number one spot for men category. He successfully challenged himself to the finish line and seized cash prize of RM1,500 from Reebok. He also walked away with in-kind prizes worth RM28,323. Nattawut Innum (Thailand) narrowly secured second place at official time of 1:08:26. Running not far from finish line after Nattawut was a Malaysian participant, Mohamed Affindi bin Nudin with official time of 1:11:39. The lady that did the women proud, Noor Amelia binti Musa from Malaysia emerged champion with official time of 1 hour 22 minutes and 12 seconds. She received RM1,500 cash prize and in-kind prizes worth RM28,413. The first and second runner up title gone to Suwaree Deenak (Thailand) andKimbeley Yap Fui Li (Malaysia) having set their best time at 1:29:50 and 1:36:27 respectively.

The challenge also set a first by having the first physically challenged (“OKU”) participant in an obstacle race. Loh Chee Khoon, the one-armed warrior, not only finished the race, but also completed the 9 challenges within a nett time of 2:11:56, and finished 478 out of 1725 participants in the Men’s Open category. Where he was not able to actually do the challenge, he took the challenge of doing the penalty of 10 burpees. It gives Reebok and Reebok ONE Challenge great pride to be associated with a person who has a “never give up” spirit, and it is with the same pride that we congratulate him on the successful completion of the Reebok ONE Challenge 18.95K.

Reebok One Challenge 18.95K 2013 medals

At the venue, participants were seen occupied at booths set up by a number of partners and sponsors. Apart from Reebok who had its station set up directly across the stage, various sponsors like Sharp Aquos, Toshiba, TIMEX, Ford, Optimum Nutrition, Gatorade, DailyMuscle, Chi Fitness, Fitness Concept, iON Action Camera, Teledynamics, Power Bar, KT Tape, Shu Care and Salonpas & Dutch Lady secured their settings at the venue.  Reebok One Challenge 18.95K 2013 was co-organised by Twenty First Century Sports alongside Hooha.Asia the online portal, Perbadanan Putrajaya which was the venue host and a partner from TV broadcast, Astro Awani.