Come April next year, nature lovers and running enthusiasts will have the chance to travel back in time to experience how Langkawi was 10 to 15 years ago.
A 15 minute speedboat ride from main land Langkawi, Pulau Tuba and Pulau Dayang Bunting are home to some 2,000 inhabitants. Limited motorised vehicles are permitted on the islands to preserve the natural habitat, making the island the perfect site for the adventurous eco-toursim market.
An event organised jointly by Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) and E-Plus Entertainment Productions, the inaugural Tuba Trail Run will be held on 2 April 2016. The run will tap into a newly opened 30 km trail that spans from the second largest island after the main island of Langkawi, Pulau Tuba and neighbouring Pulau Dayang Bunting which allows participants to be among the first to run on a trail that is untouched even by the locals.
Tan Sri Khalid Ramli, Chief Executive Officer of Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) is optimistic about the launch of the trail event. He said during the Tuba Trail Run Langkawi press conference in Kuala Lumpur:
As one of the few UNESCO Geopark destinations in South East Asia, LADA is committed to protecting Langkawi’s natural heritage for future generations to enjoy. We aim to do this through education and controlled exposure to natural beauty, via exclusive events that target the eco-toursim and eco-sport market such as the Tuba Trial Run.
The trail will pass through some of Langkawi’s spectacular natural wonders, such as towering limestone cliffs, pristine mangrove forests, amazing coastal beaches to the marble rock formations and the untouched ancient rainforest of Pulau Dayang Bunting.
The multifarious terrain and changes in elevation will serve as a rewarding challenge for even the most serious of runners with amazing up close experience of the nature and wildlife of the Langkawi Geopark.
Meanwhile, Iskandar Shahril, E-Plus Entertainment Productions Business Development director said:
We are confident the warm local hospitality and beautiful scenery along the trail will show off Pulau Tuba’s best qualities to participants.
A total of RM21,000 in prize money awaits the winners of six categories: Men’s International Open, Women’s International Open, Men’s Local Open (18-39 years old), Women’s Local Open (18-39 years old), Men’s Local Veteran (40 years old and above) and Women’s Local Veteran (40 years old and above).
Besides a race packed with interesting goodies, race and finisher tee, participants will also be treated to a ‘kenduri’ style traditional lunch.
Iskandar added that he was hopeful that the run could help to increase Pulau Tuba’s identity as a new destination for eco-sport, culture and nature exploration.
Registration for the race is already open, starting at RM160 for the Super Early Bird period till 15 Jan 2016.
For more information and registration, you can visit the Tuba Trail Run Langkawi official page.
