At 67, most people might think twice before taking on a 200km run, but that did not stop Malaysian runner Tan Sin Ngoon from pushing his limits and completing the gruelling challenge in about 47 hours.
The retiree from Sungai Long, Cheras, Selangor, became the oldest finisher in the 200km category at the 2026 Pahang Ultra Marathon, earning recognition from the Malaysia Book of Records.
He took part in the event alongside his running buddy and mentor, 62-year-old Than Choong, with both men successfully completing the challenge. They were also the only two participants aged above 60 in the race. Held from Oct 16 to 18 in Kampung Tebal, Temerloh, Pahang, the fourth edition of the event attracted around 2,000 local and international runners. Participants could choose from six distances: 200km, 100km, 72km, 43km, 17km and 5km, with about 50 runners signing up for the longest route.
From badminton to ultramarathons
Speaking to Sin Chew Daily, Tan Sin Ngoon shared that he spent around 17 years playing badminton before the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted his routine and many of his usual playing partners gradually stopped playing. He eventually found a new passion in ultramarathon running after the pandemic, encouraged by Tang Chang in 2022.
Despite taking on one of the toughest distances in the event, Tan said he does not follow an intensive training schedule. He usually joins at least one Hash House Harriers run each week and spends 15 to 20 minutes stretching daily.
Before the 200km challenge, he also took part in the 42km Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon on Oct 5, treating it as part of his preparation.
“I’m not a fast runner, but I have endurance,” he said, adding that the 200km race was the longest distance he had ever completed.
He only gave himself a 50% chance of finishing
Tan admitted that he was only 50% confident he could complete the race before the starting line, especially since his previous longest distance was 168km, which he finished in May this year. Still, he wanted to challenge himself and hoped to set a Malaysian record.
“I just wanted to challenge myself and hopefully set a Malaysian record. In the end, I managed to finish through sheer willpower and belief.” He said he was thrilled to receive recognition from the Malaysia Book of Records, as he had not been entirely certain he could make it to the finish line.
Tan also credited his support crew for helping him throughout the race, providing assistance around the clock and keeping him going until the end. Without their dedication and support, he said, completing the challenge might not have been possible.
Although he had previously completed a 168km ultramarathon, he found the 200km road-based course challenging in a different way compared with trail races. The hot weather made it especially demanding, requiring runners to replenish fluids regularly during the long hours on the road.
Already preparing for another 100km challenge
Tan is not slowing down just yet. He plans to head to Pahang National Park with his running companions next week to take on another 100km trail ultramarathon. With its hilly and uneven terrain, he expects the race to bring another tough test of endurance.
For anyone hoping to tackle long-distance running, Tan believes the key is to stay calm, avoid rushing and manage one’s pace and stamina carefully. He also credits his daily stretching routine for helping him avoid muscle cramps during runs.
At 67, his latest achievement shows that age has not stopped him from continuing to test his limits, one kilometre at a time.
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