Yong Yuen Cheng - 217km Death Valley Run
Picture 1 - The team of 217km Death Valley Run
I met Yong Yuen Cheng, 36, a Physics teacher and canoe teacher in-charge of Hwa Chong Institution (College) during the Annual Staff Gathering. He recounted to me the whole experience of running in the 217km Death Valley Run.
Picture 2 - Badwater Basin is 85.5metres below sea level.
Yong Yuen Cheng - Charity 217km Death Valley run
Yong told me that he and his friend wanted to try out the 217km Badwater Ultramarathon, which he was rejected by the organising committee of Badwater Ultramarathon from joining the race, citing lack of experience as one of the reason. Hence, with 2 people to form support for logistics, he and his partner asked special permission from authorities and did their own 217km Death Valley Run.
It was found that the runners had to run through 3 mountain ranges and had to go through the heat of 54 degrees centigrade some of the time in the afternoon. The lowest the temperature could go at night was around 18 degrees centigrade.
It is known that in thermoregulation that any one who has a core temperature of 43 degrees centigrade may have to meet with death as the heart has the tendency to stop functioning at this kind of temperature. Hence, to prevent total exposure to heat, Yong had to wear special long pants and shirt to brave the weather.
Picture 3 - The weather went up to 54 degrees centigrade during one of the run.
He told me that he had to go through extreme fatigue to finish the distance. It was organised for a just cause and he was able to raise $40000 for National Junior College and $200000 for Mountbatten CSC.
Picture 4 - 217km Death Valley Run
I had a second part of the interview on how he survived the weather.
Second Part Interview With Yong Yuen Cheng
How many runners took part?
Two of us, my friend had alot of difficulty in finishing the run.
How was the feeling throughout the route?
The route can be tedious and very hot, with mountain route which can go on and on for 20km, without the downhill.
How about the downhill?
After we finished the 20km of uphill, which was gradual, it was all the way downhill for several kilometres.
Why were you confident of running this ?
Our preparation was very good. We trained for this beforehand.
Were there any problems that you faced during the run?
I was disoriented at times and gave wrong answers to a question. (A sign of dehydration)
How was the route of the Death Valley made up of?
I ran all the way on a tarmac track usually found on roads.
What was the time taken to complete this run?
46 1/2hrs
How was it when you finished the 217 km of the Death Valley Run?
We were very happy that we have achieved the impossible. I was thinking that if a normal human being like me can do it, why not others. This is to inspire others to believe in oneself.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment