Brunei's Trailblazing Runs
Our running events, like the Trail Challenge, Beachathons, and Night Trail Challenges, were dynamic extensions of our mission. By guiding participants through the very beaches and forests we aim to protect, we created an engaging platform to promote environmental consciousness and showcase Brunei's natural heritage.
The Beach Bunch Trail Challenge (BBTC)
This was more than just a race; it was a distinctive event that carved its niche in Brunei Darussalam's trail running scene. We celebrated it as Brunei's first-ever trail marathon and were honored to have it included in the prestigious Asia Trail Master (ATM) series. The BBTC was intrinsically linked to our environmental stewardship, serving as both a demanding physical contest and a platform for ecological awareness.
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Evolution of the Challenge:
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We began in 2015 with a 21km race.
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By 2016, we introduced Brunei's first trail marathon (42km) alongside the 21km.
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In 2017 and 2018, we expanded to offer 100km, 50km, and 30km distances, with the 100km and 50km races being ATM championship point events.
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The Course – A True Test:
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Our tagline, "the 'challenge' in the event title is there for a good reason," was well-earned.
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Participants navigated diverse terrains, from the formidable Shahbandar rainforest with its "steep rollercoaster" of 14 short, steep hill climbs, to sections of loose beach sand.
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The tropical climate, with temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius, added another layer of difficulty.
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Even as we aimed to cater to different runners, we always emphasized that the BBTC was "never to be underestimated".
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A Platform for Champions: We were thrilled to host local heroes like Sefli Ahar and international talents like Tahira Najmunisaa and Ruth Theresia, who graced our podiums. The events attracted a strong international field, showcasing Brunei as an adventure sports destination.
The Beachathon Series
Beyond the demanding trail challenges, Beach Bunch also organized the Beachathon series, which had a distinct focus on promoting clean beaches and encouraging healthy lifestyles through more accessible, shorter-distance runs. These events were designed to engage a wider community, including families and children.
The Beachathon series included the following documented events:
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2012: Beachathon at Meragang.
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2014: Beachathon at Meragang.
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2016: Beachathon at Muara.
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2017: A series of Beachathons were held across 3 districts:
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Kuala Belait (July).
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Pantai Seri Kenangan, Tutong (August), featuring 1km, 3km, and 5km runs.
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Muara Beach, Brunei-Muara District (November), with 1km, 3km, and 5km runs, marking the final event of the 2017 series. A unique aspect of the 2017 series was that the finisher medals from each district (Belait, Tutong, and Brunei-Muara) could be pieced together!
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The Beachathon events directly embodied the NGO's core mission by bringing people to the beaches, not just to run, but to appreciate their beauty and understand the importance of keeping them clean!
The Beach Bunch Night Trail Challenge
illuminating the Trails After Dark
Complementing our flagship daytime trail challenge, we also introduced the Beach Bunch Night Trail Challenge, adding a novel dimension to the local running scene by allowing participants to experience the trails under the stars!
The Night Trail Challenge was first held in 2016, offering 21km and 10km race options.
With it being a hit, we continued the event again in 2017 with the same 21km and 10km distances.
