Running for glory: Marilyn Graeme (R), SCB Corporate Affairs Manager seeing Bruneian runner, Sefli Ahar off to Mumbai. Picture: Courtesy of Standard Chartered Bank
Sunday, January 20, 2008
STANDING at approximately 5 feet 6 inches and weighing in at about 54kg, dressed in a dri-fit t-shirt and running shoes, Sefli Anak Ahar has been conditioning his body down to elite marathon fitness.
National Bruneian runner, Sefli, will today join the ranks of over 28,000 other elite runners in the third leg of the 'Greatest Race on Earth' in Mumbai.
Competitors have come from all four corners of the world to compete in this unique marathon team relay series that is the Standard Chartered Bank's Greatest Race on Earth (GROE).
It is made up of four marathons in the exotic cities of Nairobi, Singapore, Mumbai and Hong Kong.
The aim is for the teams to record the fastest cumulative time to win a share of the US$1.5 million prize pool.
Sefli's running experience is impressive, having broken Brunei's 10,000-metre track record in the previous Brunei Sea Games; raising the bar of his distance running to a full 42km marathon distance in 2002 and having run internationally in countries such as Belgium, Australia and Saudi Arabia.
He is looking forward to Mumbai as it is his first time running in the country.
The Mumbai leg of the marathon is renowned for its humidity although high temperatures may not be a problem.
"Depending on the weather, I will be able to judge my best time for the run," he said.
"All I have on my mind is to represent Brunei to my best ability and it is thanks to Standard Chartered Bank that the sport of marathon running is receiving more exposure these days."
With two to three hours training virtually everyday of the week, 33-year-old Sefli is focused on his aspiration.
The final leg of the marathon will be in Hong Kong on February 17, 2008 and will be run by Muhammad Rudin Takong.
Their accumulated times will be compared with the times clocked by other national teams to determine their standings at the end of the four races. Currently, Brunei's standing in the race is at 30th position.The Brunei Times
National Bruneian runner, Sefli, will today join the ranks of over 28,000 other elite runners in the third leg of the 'Greatest Race on Earth' in Mumbai.
Competitors have come from all four corners of the world to compete in this unique marathon team relay series that is the Standard Chartered Bank's Greatest Race on Earth (GROE).
It is made up of four marathons in the exotic cities of Nairobi, Singapore, Mumbai and Hong Kong.
The aim is for the teams to record the fastest cumulative time to win a share of the US$1.5 million prize pool.
Sefli's running experience is impressive, having broken Brunei's 10,000-metre track record in the previous Brunei Sea Games; raising the bar of his distance running to a full 42km marathon distance in 2002 and having run internationally in countries such as Belgium, Australia and Saudi Arabia.
He is looking forward to Mumbai as it is his first time running in the country.
The Mumbai leg of the marathon is renowned for its humidity although high temperatures may not be a problem.
"Depending on the weather, I will be able to judge my best time for the run," he said.
"All I have on my mind is to represent Brunei to my best ability and it is thanks to Standard Chartered Bank that the sport of marathon running is receiving more exposure these days."
With two to three hours training virtually everyday of the week, 33-year-old Sefli is focused on his aspiration.
The final leg of the marathon will be in Hong Kong on February 17, 2008 and will be run by Muhammad Rudin Takong.
Their accumulated times will be compared with the times clocked by other national teams to determine their standings at the end of the four races. Currently, Brunei's standing in the race is at 30th position.The Brunei Times