Another bike-hash success

MALACCA: Malacca Mountain Bike Hash (MMBH), the country's first-ever biking cum hash club, made history by successfully staging the 4th Duathlon in Durian Tunggal recently.

A record 129 competitors from Malaysia and Singapore, as well some from Japan, France, Switzerland and Denmark, took part in the gruelling event to grab medals and challenge trophies besides RM2,020 in cash and other goodies.

The duathlon involved biking and a hash-styled run. The first stage of biking covered a 11km route. This was followed by a 5km run before winding up with another 11km pedal stint through hilly jungle terrain amidst river banks, swamps, dirt roads, rubber estates and plantations.

About 54 participants took part in the men’s singles event with Sabahan Shahrin Amir taking top honours clocking 1 hour 26 minutes 57 seconds.

In second spot was Kajang’s Zamzi Mohamad with a returning a time of 1 hour 33 minutes 15 seconds with Malacca’s Sangui Richard romping home with the third posting at 1 hour 36 minutes 17 seconds. Former 2003 and 2004 championship series winner Sim Seng Chai only managed 13th spot clocking 1 hour 45 minutes 11 seconds.

Ecstatic: Sharin, the winner of the men's singles event, celebrating after his win in Durian Tunggal recently.

Kuala Lumpur’s Nor Aliza Saledin and Noor Fadila Sabdin made it a one-two finish in the women’s singles event. Nor Aliza clocked 1 hour 57 minutes 5 seconds while her team mate crossed the finish line in 2 hours 2 minutes 48 seconds.

Malacca’s Lim Yeik Mei took third rung with a time of 2 hours 14 minutes while last year’s winner Tan Siew Peng from the home state only managed a fourth-placed finish with a time of 2 hours 21 minutes 58 seconds.

In the men’s team duo category, Johor competitors completed a fine sweep bagging the top three positions. Heading the cast was Mohd Razil Mohd Salleh and Mohd Zayyani Afnan Hasnan who posted a time of 1 hour 28 minutes 15 second.

The pair of Kohing Antak and Khailir Annuar came in a close second clocking 1 hour 28 minutes 51 seconds. In third place was the duo of Hamidon Sabino and Wira Yussof with a time of 1 hour 35 minutes 18 seconds.

Meanwhile, Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, who was the guest of honor at the event, received much cheers when he announced a RM5,000 grant to MMBH. He later flagged off the duathlon.

According to MMBH Bike Master Regis Degen, a Swiss expatriate residing in Malacca, the club has grown to over 200 members from the initial 42 following its inauguration in late 2003.

Several local bicycle enterprises have also joined up with the group to offer invaluable technical support and sponsorship.

The MMBH meets every third Sunday of each month with a 25km to 35km bike-hash outing at a pre-determined route posted on its website.

Those interested in joining either for first-hand experience or as a full-fledged member can contact Regis at 012-611 1254.