KUCHING: African runners are keen on making a return to the Borneo Spartan Trail Classic after making their first appearance.
Simon Rotcis, 35, from Kenya has expressed his urge to join the run again next year, after only his second time in Sarawak.
“This is a nice place, I enjoy the rainforest, it is tough and the hills here are slippery.
“Our forest in Kenya does not have roads like this and since it was my first time joining Spartan, I want to join again next year,” he said of his experience running through the trails.
Another runner Aregay Gebrmedkel, 28, from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia said that she wants to run again next with better preparations to win the 50-kilometre category.
Aregay, despite winning the 10-kilometre female category, has expressed her determination to come back next year and win the 50-kilometre category.
Both of them were speaking to the reporters at Redeem Centre in Kampung Apar, Bau yesterday.
“I will not give up; I will try again next year with better preparations with torchlights to run into the jungle. The conditions in the jungle were really good but it was very slippery which was caused by the rainy weather.
“I have won the 50-kilometre category three times in Thailand and once in Singapore before this. The tropical jungle here is similar to the one in Ethiopia,” Aregay added.
She also shared that she currently lives and works in the tourism industry in Cha-am, Thailand and her daily routine involves running 20 to 21 kilometres two times a day.
