The Maze Challenge Asia 2014 – Challenge Complete!

The Maze Challenge Asia was indeed an a-MAZE-ing experience. It is not like the usual races I would join but it was surely packed with an unusual high.

The Maze Challenge Asia is a temporary maze built at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. It is a 7,700 square meter maze which is the first and the largest maze in Asia.

I am so happy to be part of history since The Maze Challenge Asia has been certified by The Malaysian Book of Records as The Largest Maze Formation in Malaysia with 100 meters in length and 70 meters in width.

Pre-event Preparations

I had a two-week notice to join The Maze Challenge Asia. I immediately said yes even though I really don’t know what to expect. Yes, there would probably be running involved but so much is still unknown. I guess the mystery gave me even more reason to be excited about the event.

We stayed at Concorde Inn KLIA which is very near the Sepang International Circuit. It was a nice cozy place with lots of trees and grass. I would wake up to the sound of bird chirping.

Concorde Inn KLIA even has complimentary shuttle service going to and from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2. It made traveling to the airport and to Kuala Lumpur very convenient.

The night before the challenge, I made sure I had a good rest and my gear ready for the big day!

At the starting line

I was grouped together with other bloggers from the Asia Pacific region. It was nice to see fellow bloggers gather together for the challenge. I was able to meet Ploi and Off from Thailand, Arman from Australia, Shenny and Jon Singapore and, KY and Chee Ching from Malaysia. Philippines was well represented as well with Noelle aka KikayRunner, Laureen, Kryz and Vernice.

With fellow bloggers: Noelle, Arman, Laureen, Verniece and Kryz

The staring line had a simple setup with some booths, water station, and a photowall. There’s a baggage tent available where we left our bags for a fee.

Before the maze opens, we were given a few safety reminders to make sure we end up having a great time.

I brought a phone with me and I placed it inside a waterproof bag. I plan to take photos but I was only able to take a few shots. An action cam would have been better.

Here we go!

When the horn blew off, all participants rushed inside the maze.

The low crawl was the first obstacle. I dropped low and let my hands drag my whole body towards the end of the mat. I never realized how heavy I was as I plant my elbows and pull the rest of my body forward. The crawl area is sprinkled with water. It was slippery and it helped me glide across the obstacle.

from Instagram @fauzi8686

After the crawl was the wall. It was tall and probably about 20 feet. There are several options to go over the wall. I lined up for the one with a wooden ladder to help me climb over. However, I was last on the line.

I saw a another lane where no one was lining up. As I looked closer, I found out that in this lane I have to climb over using the rope only. There is no ladder to help me. I decided to try it out.

I grabbed on the rope and climb my way up. I was doing well at first until my shoes lost its grip with a few more inches left to the top. I had to lift my body up to grab the next rope, and another and another. I probably need 2-3 more grabs but my hands are already shaking.

I hate to give up but I decided to go down and get back to the line with the ladder. After my failed attempt, I watch two girls tried their luck and was able to climb over. Wow!

I was able to climb the wall with the ladder. If climbing over was challenging, going down the other side of the wall was just as challenging. It is not a good idea but looking down from 20 feet is the first thing you’d do once you’re on top. It shook me a little until the marshal talked me back to my senses and guided me as I slowly lowered myself using the rope.

The third obstacle is a pool of water. There no way you can avoid it. It is shallow but in one pool you have to bend over to avoid the net above it. Then, the last pool is filled with ice cold water. If I was still sleepy, this pool really wired up my senses.

Video from Instagram @syaful_19926

Getting lost

After the pool of water is the maze. The marshals inside the maze kept telling us never to trust the person in front. True enough, I’d follow one runner to certain direction and before I know it, the runner will be turning back again because of the dead end in front.

I started the maze with Laureen and Vernice. And too bad, we are really lost in the maze. We kept running in circles and even went back to the entrance to start all over again. We even realized we are the only ones left.

Video from Instagram @verniecenciso

Finally, we found our way out and into the next set of obstacles. The first one was a mud track. We had to step over the stones to avoid the mud. Next were some low barricades to jumped over.

Video from Instagram @azrin88

The last obstacle was a smaller wall. There were no ropes this time but the wall have some blocks we can hold on to.

Once we hurdled the last obstacles, it was a 300 meter sprint to the finish line! Our fellow bloggers who have finished ahead of us were cheering as we reached the finish.

It took us more than 30 minutes to finish the challenge. The fastest in our wave finished it in just 6 minutes.

After we finished, we took some photos and headed to the table where they were giving out our medals.

An A-MAZE-ing Challenge

The Maze Challenge Asia was truly a different experience. Unlike the fun runs I am used to, the time it takes to finish and the distance I will cover depends on my decisions. It can be a fast finish, or a slow one.

What makes it fun is the fact that there are several ways to complete the challenge. There are options we choose in the obstacles. And there are choices we make inside the maze. Once we finished, each one of us has a different story to tell.

This is just the first year for The Maze Challenge Asia. I am sure that next year’s edition would have new twists and turns. Will there be more obstacles? Will the maze be bigger? Will it be more difficult? Will it be a lot easier?

I can’t wait to find out what’s in store for The Maze Challenge Asia 2015. So be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram to know when and where the next one will be.

Thank you to The Maze Challenge Asia for giving me the chance to be part of history. Thank you also to Nuffnang and to Concorde Inn KLIA for the warm welcome.