Malaysia's "Ultraman" Powers His Way Into Book Of Records

By Kenny Teng Khoon Hock

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- A fitness buff today carved his name into the Malaysia Book of Records for being the first Malaysian to complete the gruelling Canada Individual Ultraman race last year.

M. Kannan, who had taken part in seven Ironman Triathlon competitions, finished 15th among 25 participants.

Unlike the Ironman competition that involve 3.8km swim, 180.2km cycling and 42.2km run, the Ultraman is a gruelling 10km swim, 418km cycling and 84.3km run in 36 hours.

Each discipline in the Ultraman race is more than double that of the triathlon, with each category allowing only a 12-hour cut-off time.

The 33-year-old Kannan said the Ultraman race was "two to three times harder than the Ironman".

"I always look forward to doing things that people rarely venture into. The event last year was also timely as Malaysia was celebrating its 50th anniversary," he told Bernama.

The Penangite said he nearly gave up on the last day of the event due to exhaustion during the 84.3km run.

"My toe nail was badly hurt and bleeding during the last 21km but there came a crew of the event who encouraged me to finish the run," he said, adding that he would always remember what the crew said to him -- that "pain is temporary while glory is forever".

"Although I only managed 15th place but I am glad to finish the event in 36 hours," he said.

-- BERNAMA