When French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve wrote “La Belle et la Bête” in 1740, she wasn’t the first writer to entice readers with a storyline about a horrific beast who falls in love with a sweet, young girl!
Barbot de Villeneuve’s fanciful tale actually has roots in folklore passed from generation to generation.
According to university researchers, this story’s roots reach back 4,000 years. “Beauty and the Beast” has been retold in a variety of ways: literature, film, television and theatre.
Now, this venerable theme is going to be the spirit behind the 2017 Miri Marathon, scheduled to be held on 19th March. Want to be part of this beautiful love story?
It starts the moment you put on your race vest emblazoned with the event’s clever theme: “Run like a beast. Finish like a beauty.”
Miri launches the Great Borneo Series
The island of Borneo is going to play host to Miri Marathon runners, but it’s not the only game in town. In fact, three events are scheduled to be staged here in 2017. Are you eager to test your mettle?
Ready to make good on your promise to push yourself to undertake more challenging events? The Miri makes a great start, then add the others to your list: The Borneo International scheduled on 7th May, and the Kuching Marathon slated for 19th August.
Complete all three, amass a total distance of 126.585km within 6.5 hours and you’ll be honoured like a rock star. But first, you must do the Miri!
Depending upon your endurance level, time commitments and desire, you can choose between these distances when you register for the Miri: 42km; 21km; 10km and 5 km.
Routes take competitors through the area’s most diverse landscapes—from seaside and highway to the city’s iconic buildings, so no complaints about boredom, please!
Of arrangements, awards and achievements!
There are travel arrangements to be made if you’re coming from outside Borneo, so sort your travel docs and clear your work calendar before booking transport.
Register at Spacebib so the administrative portion of your work is done, and then start training – especially if you’ll be among the super men and women who plan to don that “Run like a beast. Finish like a beauty” vest with intentions of tackling the full troika of Borneo events.
Race pack collection activities at the Miri Indoor Stadium take place between 16th and 18th March between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., and wait until you see how many cash prizes are to be awarded for those who rank from 1st to 10th position in each event.
In total, cash prizes will be handed out to the top ten finishers in the men’s, women’s and veteran’s 10km, 21km and 42km competitions.
Further, complete all of the Borneo events and you don’t have to win a single cash prize at the Miri to earn a place in the record books. All you need do is finish all three to be given an impressive medal!
Arrive early and stick around
Whether this is to be your very first visit to Miri or you’ve been here in the past for business or another running event, you owe it to yourself to take in the breathtaking scenery and opportunities to spot beauties and beasts.
Headquarter in Miri and spend time at Gunung Mulu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes canopy walks within this rainforest, Pinnacles trail trekking and caves that transport you back in time.
If you don’t have the time or resources to fly from Miri to Mulu to see Gunung Mulu, don’t pout. The Niah National Park requires no plane trip and it has a most impressive cave network, too. Spot communities of hanging bats and take in art that’s decorated these caves for thousands of years.
Wear walking shoes to protect your toes from scaly, creepy beasts found along the walking trails that are as mystical as those caves. Alternately, Lambir Hills National Park, also nearby, treats visitors to one of the earth’s most diverse forest ecosystems. At the heart of this park are spectacular waterfalls that attract photographers, hikers and plenty of romantics.
Already had enough strenuous exercise?
Not every runner wants to spend a runcation in caves, trekking trails and getting more exercise. If that describes you, there are other area entertainments you may prefer.
For example, and if you’re bringing kids (or you’re a kid yourself), what better way to commune with some really ugly beasts than by taking in Miri’s Crocodile Farm? It’s about 20 minutes from city centre and if the crocs bore you, check out the snake house and mini-zoo.
Still not happy with your choices? If competitive shopping is your event, browse the Bitang and Boulevard Shopping Malls or make it a romantic adventure by staying at the EastWood Valley Inn, located on a golf course.
Both are perfect ways to wind down, and if you’ve a mind to advertise your Miri mission, wear your “Run like a beast. Finish like a beauty” shirt everywhere you go. Especially if you are eager to meet people who are sure to find your shirt a great conversation starter!
How important are marathon themes in your opinion? Do they add an extra measure of fun to a competition or will you only show up if the challenge itself is great enough?
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