Today, we get to read something pretty different on my blog – a short informal interview I had with fellow blogger Lim Ee-Van, also known as Stupe, who blogs at http://opstupe.blogspot.com. Today, Stupe, who is part of the Coordination Team from Xterra Malaysia, shares with DailyMuscle on the upcoming Xterra event. Read on for more.
Me (DM): Hi Stupe, thanks for your time. I was told that you are part of the Xterra event. Could you please share with us what Xterra is about?
Stupe (S): Hi DM – thank you for this opportunity. I’ll get straight to the point. My training and race buddy decided to bring Xterra to Malaysia. Xterra is an off-road multisport event, or more specifically, a triathlon. The reason why you have not heard about it is because this is the first time it will happen in Malaysia and South East Asia.
DM: So this gives the participants a chance to go down into history.
S: Right on! Whoever that joins this race and finish it will go down into history as amongst the first to do it in this region
DM: You mentioned triathlon?
S: Yes, Xterra is a triathlon, so therefore it has the following components: Swim, Bike and Run, in that order.
DM: I bet all our local Malaysian triathletes are extremely pleased. Where and when will this happen?
S: For 2009 this year, Xterra will be at Teluk Cempedak in Kuantan on the 6th and 7th of June.
DM: Why Xterra?
S: There are two groups of racers, athletes and weekend warriors. You have the avid mountain bikers and the adventure racers that eat and breathe nature, and another group of the more hardcore triathletes who profess to the Swim Bike Run (SBR) religion. Xterra is a ‘marriage’ if I may say, of these two groups, giving the first group a taste of a triathlon, and the second group - a taste of some dirt!
DM: Sounds like good fun, but it does seem that the advantage is to the Swim Bike Run group don’t you think?
S: That’s what you think. Did you know that cycling 30km in the off-road is like trying to complete a 90km road biking? What advantage to triathletes? I have high respect for mountain bikers. The cadence that they could churn out could not be matched by most road bikers. This gives the mountain bikers a lot of advantage. It will also appeal to trail runners. Again, trail runners are a different breed of human beings. So, I don’t see how being a triathlete would be an advantage.
DM: I never knew that! So what sort of distances are we looking at for Xterra?
S: We’re looking at a 1.5km swim in the sea, followed by 30km of biking in the jungle trail, finishing off with a 10km run in the jungle.
DM: What if one isn’t your typical triathlete, and is just the average guy/girl on the street – doesn’t swim or perhaps can’t bike, or just hates running?
S: There’s something for everyone – there is a relay. You and your friends could form a team and go through the race as a team.
DM: Will we be racing against the more seasoned professionals?
S: Yes, you will race with them, but not against them. These are hardcore Xterra athletes that comb the world circuit. Malaysia is recognized as one of the World Championship qualifier and it will be amongst the race that they will race in.
DM: World championship? That sounds good – to have Malaysia on the world map in a sporting event.
S: The race in Kuantan will offer 2 slots per age group per gender. The winner and runners up automatically qualify for the World Championship in Maui, Hawaii.
DM: Tell us, where can one register for Xterra?
S: Visit http://xterramalaysia.com. There is even a forum space and a comprehensive FAQ available on the website. Join the Facebook group and interact with other members and get instant updates on the event. You can also subscribe to our Twitter feed and be notified about any news update first hand.
DM: How many participants have registered so far?
S: The last I checked, it is nearing 300 and we are still getting registrations every day.
DM: Thank you Stupe, for taking your time to share this story with us.
S: You’re most welcome. This won’t be the last you will hear from us, as the organizers have lined up a number of newsletters to update on the races. Also, bear in mind, this won’t be the last Xterra you will see within the next 12 months. We’re planning for a circuit and will bring the race closer to your home. Stay tuned. Meanwhile, go grab those bikes and thrash the trail. Trust me, you will thank us for that.
DM: First, I’ll need to get a bike – since mine got stolen from my home 10 years ago!
For more information on the Xterra Malaysia event held this June 2009, visit http://xterramalaysia.com.
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DM -thanks! :) Now traffic is coming here!
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