CAMERON HIGHLANDS, 13 July 2024 – Famous for its prestigious and acclaimed ultra cross-country event in Malaysia, Cameron Ultra (CULTRA) returns to meet its fans on 13th and 14th July 2024 at Cameron Highlands, Pahang.
CULTRA 2024 marks the eighth edition of the event, organized by BOLT Events Management (BOLT), a sports events management company recognized by multiple Malaysian government agencies. CULTRA is also a race qualifier recognized by the California-based Western States Endurance Run.
CULTRA’s success record since 2016 has been recognized by the Malaysian Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), a government agency under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture (MOTAC), when it was listed as a sports tourism event in 2023.
This year, CULTRA has attracted over 2000 local and global runners from 37 countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, France, Germany, India, China, Australia, Chinese Taipei, Netherlands, America, Canada, and Great Britain.
CULTRA 2024 will be the first ultra cross-country event in Malaysia to offer a significant prize cash pool to its winner at USD 5,656, reflecting BOLT’s appreciation and recognition of the running community.
BOLT’s Communications and Media Director, Azlihana Abdul Rahim, shares, “CULTRA continues to receive positive participation in 2024 due to its unique offerings and features since 2016.”
She elaborates, “Firstly, organizing CULTRA at a unique nature location like Cameron Highlands offers an amazing panorama and a comfortable yet challenging cold weather, a unique combination for cross-country runners. When a runner joins CULTRA, they get to experience various local attractions such as the Boh Tea Farm, Robinson Waterfall, and Sungai Pauh Camp.”
Moreover, CULTRA offers several running categories, including the challenge of scaling the famous Gunung Jasar (1,696 meters above sea level), Gunung Berembun (1,014 meters above sea level), and Gunung Brincang Barat (2,005 meters above sea level), all rich with tropical flora and fauna.
Azlihana adds that CULTRA’s fame for its challenging course is due not only to the natural obstacles over different surfaces but also the unpredictable weather. These challenges create an irresistible running attraction.
Despite CULTRA being synonymous with a cold running climate of around 18 degrees Celsius, runners will also encounter humid and hot conditions, especially when passing through the open-air Boh Tea Farm, where temperatures can reach 30 degrees Celsius. These weather conditions will challenge the runners’ fitness and endurance.
BOLT is well-prepared. Their reputation as competent organizers is built on thorough preparation for race safety and comfort. “We have over 300 crew members and safety officers on duty throughout CULTRA’s 30-hour event duration,” Azlihana explains.
She also highlights BOLT’s attention to the nutritional needs of runners. CULTRA’s challenging categories collectively reach a height (EG) of 4,870 meters for the 100KM race. The event includes 60KM and 100KM ultra races, with seven checkpoints providing meals and beverages suitable for runners’ needs. Non-ultra categories (30KM, 14KM, and 4KM) also have appropriate nutritional and safety provisions.
Besides focusing on running, BOLT promotes Cameron Highlands as a unique sports tourism destination. “Tourism Pahang shares statistics showing how CULTRA positively impacts the local economy, with a record high of RM 12 million in a previous year. We hope to achieve the same figure this year due to encouraging participation locally and globally.”
BOLT’s aspirations align with the country’s aim to find unique ways to promote tourism, especially in sports tourism, as part of preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026. BOLT is committed to fulfilling its corporate social responsibilities, contributing resources and efforts to ensure sustainability in local areas impacted by CULTRA 2024.
“As conscious organizers, we are also organizing CSR events such as tree replantings and recycling drives in collaboration with local authorities like SWCorp. We will also organize community programs with the Orang Asli communities in Cameron Highlands,” concludes Azlihana.
About BOLT
Founded in 2015, BOLT is led by four individuals active in local and international outdoor sports: Hazemi Hamidi (Founder, Managing Director), Azlihana Abdul Rahim (Communications and Media Director), Zulkiflee Zainal (Director of Operations), and Fais Azmir (Technical Director). BOLT has received multiple recognitions from the Malaysian government, including the Certificate of Excellence Malaysia Tourism Excellence by the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and the Tourism Productivity Nexus (TPN). Besides CULTRA, BOLT organizes the Cameron Night Run, a 21KM half-marathon night race, and Sundown, an endurance running event.
Credit Photo : Sorawit/SNE Sports
