Hasan
Elizabeth
Sulaiman
Rayim
KOTA KINABALU: Four Sabahans are set for the challenge to walk from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu later this year.
Starting in Kuching on November 20, Hasan Ibrahim, Datuk Elizabeth Maurice, Sulaiman Wahab and Rayim Sidek hope to complete the feat at Inanam Night Market here by December 31. The whole journey covers around 1,400km.
“With the training and preparation we have, we are confident of finishing the expedition as scheduled.
“We will try to cover 33km daily and if possible to do more (kilometres) but not less…it might take less than the 42 days that we needed to complete the journey,” said Hasan when met here recently.
According to Hasan, the expedition has the support of the Persatuan Guru Pemulihan Kota Kinabalu and is a second series of such programme that he was involved in.
“I manage to complete the first series organised in 2011 which took me 20 days to conquer the route from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu.
“It will be one tough challenge for the coming expedition but I’m ready for it,” said the 44-year-old teacher of SK Inanam Laut, who would become the first from his profession to do the Kuching-Kota Kinabalu walk.
Hasan also revealed that he has contacted individuals who share his passion and thus the four-member walking group was formed.
Elizabeth need not introduction in such programmes having been actively involved in many walking expeditions within the State as well as the country which saw her got the nickname ‘Iron Lady’.
Sulaiman too have successfully made it via walking from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau in 1984 and then in 2000 running from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu.
“It has always been my dream take part in similar expedition and 13 years after my last attempt, I’m happy to be able to be part of it again.
“I may be the oldest of the four but it’s all up here and here,” said Sulaiman pointing to his head and chest,” One must have strong mentality to face up to the challenge and the heart to go all the way to the finish line.
“It is my hobby to walk…I’m ready for the walking expedition,” said Sulaiman who is 72-year-old.
As for Rayim, it will be his first-time experience in walking expedition but he believed he has the mental and physical strength to complete the journey.
The 59-year-old is one of top veteran triathletes in the State and has also taken part in local and international adventure races.