July 20, 2009 17:59 PM

Malaysian Runners To Face Uphill Task In 'Hot' Fuji Mountain Race

KOTA KINABALU, July 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysian runners competing in the 62nd Mount Fuji International Mountain Race on July 24, are expected to face an uphill task due to the hot weather conditions expected in Fuji, reportedly reaching 39 degrees Celsius.

However, Danny Kuilin, 44, of Kampung Nadau, Tuaran and Safrey Sumping, 26, of Kampung Himbaan, Ranau remained confident of improving their last year's performance.

"Although Ranau is a cool place, I also trained under the heat because during this time of the year, it is summer in Japan and the weather will be very hot," Safrey told reporters here on Monday.

Safrey, competing in the race for the second year, had finished the race in 34th place last year.

"I hope to finish among the top 10 this time," said Safrey, who finished fourth in last year's Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon.

Meanwhile, Danny said she hopes to better her fourth place finish in the Japan race last year.

"I run 30 to 40 minutes a day. It has always been my routine and I think I can do better in the race this year," she said.

Danny, who will attempt to conquer Mount Fuji the fourth time, was first runner-up in last year's Mount Kinabalu Climbathon.

Organising Secretary of the 23rd Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon 2009 Zachary Mobijohn said Safrey and Danny's participation in the Japan race was also an effort to attract mountain runners to take part in the Mount Kinabalu race on Oct 24-25.

"This (participation in the Mount Fuji race) is also a reciprocal programme with the objective of creating awareness of Mount Kinabalu, which subsequently will promote Kinabalu National Park, a World Heritage Site, as an attractive tourist destination for the Japanese," he said.

-- BERNAMA

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