Cameron Ultra 2025 pushes limits, inspires runners nationwide

Cameron Highlands, known for its crisp air and endless stretches of green, transformed into a battleground of endurance and self-discovery as hundreds of athletes converged for the Cameron Ultra 2025. Winding through fog-kissed trails, the annual trail running event has become more than a race — it is a pilgrimage for those seeking clarity, resilience, and personal triumph.

One of the standout participants this year was Syarifah Balqis, a rising name in Malaysia’s endurance sports circle. Competing in the 100km Women Veteran category, Balqis entered the race not to win, but to reconnect with herself. From completing her first ultra-marathon in 2022 to conquering a solo 100km at South Korea’s Trans Jeju, she has charted a steady path of self-mastery and inner strength.

“Running through the Cameron Highlands felt like coming home — the cool air, the familiar trails, and a deep sense of calm in the quiet,” said Balqis. But partway through the race, a sharp pain in her ankle forced her to make a tough call: to stop. “It wasn’t an easy decision, but I trusted my instinct… resilience isn’t just about pushing through — it’s about listening to your body and having the strength to walk away when it matters most.”

Lessons from the trails

This year’s Cameron Ultra, held over the weekend, featured several categories: 100km, 60km, 30km, 14km, and even a 4km junior race, offering runners of all levels a chance to test themselves against one of Malaysia’s most scenic yet demanding trail courses. With its steep climbs, muddy tracks, and unpredictable weather, the Ultra demands more than physical readiness — it tests mental fortitude.

For Balqis and many others juggling full-time careers and personal responsibilities, preparing for such races is a balancing act of commitment and discipline. Her training often begins at dawn, laced with long, solitary runs in nature. “Every climb becomes a conversation between body and mind,” she explained. The trail doesn’t just build stamina; it instills focus, sharpens awareness, and strengthens the will to persist when the finish line feels far away.

Despite not completing the race, Balqis remains a symbol of the very values the Cameron Ultra celebrates — authenticity, courage, and the power to choose wellbeing over ego. Her story is one that many runners, especially women and working professionals, can relate to: the pursuit of excellence not to compete, but to grow.

Catalyst for wellness

Beyond medals and milestones, the Cameron Ultra has quietly evolved into a movement. It encourages Malaysians to get outdoors, challenge their limits, and embrace wellness through movement. In a world often consumed by digital noise and sedentary lifestyles, trail running offers a rare counterbalance — a place where silence, effort, and connection to nature fuel healing.

The event also nurtures community. Whether you’re a 4km fun runner or a 100km veteran, the sense of camaraderie at checkpoints and the shared joy of crossing the finish line is universal. For many, like Balqis and fellow ASICS Malaysia Brand Ambassadors Yan Law, Allison Yee and Emaa Sajew, trail running is also about uplifting each other.

With growing interest in endurance sports and a rising number of local events, Malaysia stands poised to nurture a new generation of runners who see fitness not as a task, but a lifelong journey. And in that journey, races like the Cameron Ultra become more than competitions — they become stories of transformation.

Inspired to start your own trail adventure? Explore exclusive benefits and training insights by joining the OneASICS membership program at https://www.asics.com/my/en-my/mk/oneasicsmy.