With Lush Rainforest And Heavenly Waterfall, Rompin State Park Pushes The Boundaries Of Adventure Racing

The terrains in Rompin State Park are perfectly suited for one of the best adventure races on the planet.

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The Rompin State Park in Pahang can potentially be Malaysia’s world-class adventure race venue.

Tourism Malaysia’s senior director for strategic planning, Syed Yahya Syed Othman, said the 31,797 hectares of tropical rainforest offer an authentic wilderness experience and race in unique terrains.

Among the highlight is the majestic Seri Mahkota, a 50-meter-high cascading waterfall with a cave in the middle.

The rock formation dates back around 248 million years old, while its pristine tropical rainforests span many forest types.

The Seri Mahkota Waterfall is a breathtaking scene. (Pix: Fernando Fong)

The appeal of Rompin State Park is that it is perfect for short, fast, fun adventure racing, suitable for anyone with a sense of the exciting outdoor. It will be a celebration of all that is good about exploration, achievement, teamwork and connecting people from around the world.
Tourism Malaysia Syed Yahya Syed Othman to TRP on Rompin State Park as a world class destination for trending outdoor activities.

He added that the Tourism Ministry would ensure that Rompin State Park is developed according to eco-tourism best practices.

Doing so would encourage a positive experience for visitors while minimizing the impact of tourism on the environment.

Tourism Malaysia Strategic & Marketing Plan was developed based on National Tourism Policy 2020-2030, National Ecotourism Plan 2016-2025, National Cultural Policy (DAKEN) 2021 and UNWTO Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). pic.twitter.com/qnPmhabBMZ
— MOTAC (@MyMOTAC) March 30, 2022

Sunrise at Taman Rompin State Park. (Pix: Fernando Fong)

Rompin State Park is the second largest park in Pahang after Taman Negara.

It is blessed with a high diversity of flora and fauna, including 253 species of birds, along with 83 species of mammals and bats, snakes, lizards and turtles.

Visitors to Rompin State Park can also stay in natural harmony with mother nature.

Accommodation ranges from campsites and dorms for independently minded travellers to bespoke rainforest retreats that offer the highest standards of luxury and guest wellbeing, all in a serene and refreshing ambience.

Visitors to Rompin State Park can be assured of a superb stay. (Pix: Fernando Fong)

Syed Yahya spoke at the AR Rompin Asia Series adventure race at Rompin State Park on Saturday (20 August).

It was co-organised by the operator of Rompin State Park and ARWS Asia with collaboration from the Pahang Forestry Department.

Tourism Malaysia, an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, supports the event through grants.

Adventure To The Max

The inaugural adventure race was a hive of activity with more than 250 racers from Malaysia and Singapore.

The event is part of the ARWS Asia Circuit, a collection of the best mid-distance adventure races in the Asian region.

@shinichikeesoon #adventure #racing #rainforest #waterfall #trail ♬ Eye Of The Tiger (From “Rocky 3”) – Geek Music

An adventure race is a contest in which teams compete in an expedition-length race involving two or more sporting disciplines.

In the AR Rompin Asia Series adventure race, the pro racers competed for championship glory on the 80km course, navigating only with a map and compass.

Racers waiting for their teammates during the AR Rompin Asia Series adventure race. (Pix: Fernando Fong)

There was also plenty of challenge for both beginners and experienced racers who took part in the fun run category.

Race director James Chee said the 80km course includes mountain biking, trail running, tubing, abseiling and tyrolean traverse.

The course began with a 2.5km trail run, followed by 2.5km tubing, 6km trail running and followed by 55km of mountain biking.

The racers then abseiled 40 meters, followed by 55 meters of the tyrolean traverse, before culminating with another 60 meters of abseiling to the bottom of the Seri Mahkota waterfall.

A racer abseiling down the Seri Mahkota waterfall. (Pix: Dusky Leaf Adventures)

Adventure racing is a multi-disciplinary team sport, using a map and compass to navigate around the course through checkpoints. Competitors must stick together as adventure racing is a team event, not a relay.
Race director James Chee to TRP on adventure racing.

He said anyone with a basic fitness level could enter and have fun.

Adventure racing makes people realise they can do complex things beyond the boundary of their usual comfort zone.

Chee added that adventure racing makes people more tactically astute, resilient and self-sufficient.