07/09/2026
๐๐ซ๐๐ฏ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ก๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฎ ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐๐ง๐๐ง๐ (๐๐๐๐) ๐๐๐๐
๐น๐ซ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐ - 2๐๐
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๐ญ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฌ๐
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Against all odds, the 2nd and final edition of this boutique running event somehow started and concluded smoothly without major incidents.
Well, truth be told, there were certainly some uncertainties and worries ever since the opening of this edition for registration. A sizeable signing up by more than 20 Singapore runners was certainly a much-needed shot-in-the arms for us. But as late as mid-July 2026, only about 70 runners have signed up. There were doubts if we should postpone or cancelled this event altogether. Cancellation of Ultimate Trails of Penang earlier on casted a long shadow on the prospect of this Trans Penang run being held at all.
To be clear, itโs never a light decision with regards to postponement or cancellation of any of our events. Despite certain perception by some in our communities, we have never cancelled or postponed UToP before until this year. The 1st edition of this MdTP was postponed last year, but was subsequently held successfully in Nov 2025. We were determined to hold the 2nd edition on the original-scheduled date of 30th Aug 2026.
Thankfully, in a space of less than 30 days, there were more than 30 sign ups to bring up the total number to 105 participants. This is close to the 100-150 pax we have in our own minds for such a niche event. Besides traversing from southern to northern cost of Penang Island, the route has been designed to offer iconic landmarks and sights to the participants.
Be it
1). the starting point at Gertak Sanggul (which many locals have never even heard of or been to this place),
2). the trails through the durian estates and fruit orchards on the way to Pulau Betong;
3). the Hakka Village nestled on the Bukit Genting hills, and the Thai restaurant at Bukit Genting which we have secured from the owner as our CP 1;
4). The elevated highway project that relates to the alignment between Bukit Genting and Pondok Upeh (often referred to as Pokok Upeh) is part of Penang's ongoing infrastructure master plans to bypass the highly congested, winding rural roads of Balik Pulau;
5). Balik Pulau township โ CP 2 Mural with Uncle Roti
Uncle Roti Whoโs Been Selling For 30 Years Honoured with Giant Mural In Penang
"Muniandi is a legend in Balik Pulau. Everybody recognises him. It doesn't matter what race you are."
6). Balik Pulau to Air Itam Dam (CP3)- Hiking from Balik Pulau to the Air Itam Dam in Penang is a scenic, moderate-to-challenging cross-island trail (about 8-11km) that takes about 3 to 4 hours to complete;
7). Air Itam township to top of Penang Hill โ plenty of long but quiet climbs from the bottom to the top of Penang;
8). Penang Hill down to CP4 at stesen 46 then to Lembah Permai on trails, easy to challenging;
9). Lembah Permai to finish point at the beautiful coast of Tanjong Bungah;
Itโs a coast 2 coast race, southern to northern, all in a morning (for the fast one) or in a day (for those smelling the flowers).
We are very fortunate top a have a team of passionate crew who dedicate their hearts and souls into this small event to make it an unforgettable experience for the runners. Markers were well placed and corrected promptly (due to certain sabotage in certain limited areas), crews were cheerful and supportive, and runners enjoyed each othersโ comradeship and camaraderie, just so that everyone get to start at the southern end and arrived at the northern end.
Itโs no stroll in the park for sure. Plenty of climbs are unavoidable in such a trans Island traverse, even if the changes in terrains, sights and sceneries might hopefully soften the blows and damages to the tiring muscles and stiff jointsโฆand turned the finishes into exhilarating adrenaline rushesโฆmany of you like the route profile for its never boring varieties and regular changesโฆwe tend to agree of courseโฆ
From the 1st guy Andy Lee who took just slightly over 5 hours, to the last few who managed to beat the 14hours cutoff time, our heartiest congratulation to all of you. No intermediate cutoff time at any checkpoint too. Itโs our wish that everyone are given enough time to complete the journey.
๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐จ ๐ง๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ก ๐๐
๐๐๐๐๐ฃ ๐ค๐ ๐ด๐๐ป๐?
Some of you have asked us to reconsider organizing this unique event in future. We are not sure if we could get at least 100 signups or not in future. We thought the appeal will diminish after the 1st two years, and that not many wants to repeat doing the same race again. Are we right about this? Perhaps let us all get over the excitement for a while yet first.
Race Director
Ng Seow Kong Allan LEE
7th Sep 2026
