Climbathon, Sabah, Malaysia - Challenge complete!

Words cannot describe the feeling of elation as I crossed the finish line in the 2013 Malaysian Climbathon at Mount Kinabalu in Sabah last month.

Without doubt this event lives up to its reputation as the world's toughest challenge and the reason is quite simple; you can read all the blogs, look at all the maps, and train your guts out for an event like this, but it is not until you are actually in this incredible mountain's presence and on your way that you have any idea of just how tough this challenge is.

The pain burning in your legs from ascending what is the tallest mountain in South East Asia acted as a constant reminder of my vulnerability and my insanity.

Half way into the race I found myself asking why did I think a new 40 year old without a track record of running in mountains, could have thought he was up to the challenge. And to top things off just as you put in place mental coping mechanisms so you can manage the pain, your lungs are slowly gripped by thinning oxygen and the effects of altitude.

That said, I do love a challenge, and to be honest there was one point between Layang Layang Hut and Mesilau Nature Resort I thought I can't take anymore, and tried to justify pulling out as at least having a go.

Click here for the race map.

But, just like Dori did in the movie Finding Nemo, I started saying to myself just keep going, one step at a time, or in this case one muddy, slippery, rocky, treacherous step at a time, because I knew if I could make the Nature Reserve, even though my legs had been punished and were stinging from the steep inclines, I would be able to run the rest of the 10km home. And as it turned out, I did and in a pretty good time for me, considering...

The added incentive for me to finish the race was Geoff at the finish line - I had dragged him all the way to the darkest jungles of Borneo for my 40th birthday and the least I could do is finish the race! The other reason was of course the money which we had raised for the Robina Lions Club and the Lions Club Prostate Cancer Research.

And as each remaining kilometre became less and less my sense of completing the challenge become overwhelming.  Even though I finished quite sometime after the winners, the locals were out in force cheering on every competitor and at every turn the event organisers were on hand with leg sprays and water and words of encouragement - which let me tell you means a lot when you are in a world of pain.

 I did shed a bit of a tear at the finish line but I was so proud of myself for sticking it out and rising to the challenge.

Of the over 570 competitors across the weekend only 393 completed this intense race.

I managed to fall across the line in 61st position in the Men's Veteran category in 5 hours and 2  minutes and we ended up raising $720.00 for the Robina Lions Club which is great.

So all in all, I had the best 40th birthday. And the added bonus is we met some wonderful new friends from around the world too! One of which (Irene) came 5th in the Veteran Women's and took home prize money!

This event makes Tough Mudder look like a bridal waltz so if you are looking for a real challenge, you have to get into Climbathon 2014!

Climbing for Cancer Cure | Malaysian Climbathon

Robina Lions Club member and Datapod Business Relationships, Marketing and Communications Manager Gordon Watson is taking part in the 2013 Mt Kinabalu International Climb-a-thon and is using the event to raise money for Lions Prostate Cancer Research.

The Climb-a-thon is a 23km half marathon up one on the Asia’s steepest mountains and set in the Borneo rainforest in Malaysia and doubles as a unique way to mark turning 40.

Gordon said, “I wanted a challenge my on my 40th birthday and I found this race on Google. And the fact that I can use it to raise money for the Club, through my Bendigo Community Bank Varsity Lakes, and support an important cause, provides me with so much more motivation to finish this punishing race.”

If you would like to make a contribution to Gordon’s fundraising efforts simply pop into the Bendigo Community Bank at Varsity Lakes or make a direct deposit to:

BSB 633000 Acc 150214435 and remember to tag your deposit with your details so a receipt can be forwarded to you for tax purposes.

The race attracts participants from all over the world and features two races starting at Kinabalu Park and finishing in Kundasang over the weekend of 19-20 October 2013.

For more about the event visit Climbathon Malaysia