Ultramarathoner Chua wants to test her limits

SINGAPORE — She is one of Singapore’s top female ultrarunners, and has competed in more than 20 ultramarathons since picking up the sport in 2010.

But in two weeks, former national triathlete Jeri Chua will take on the toughest challenge in her sporting career to date, when she attempts to complete the TransPyrenea ultramarathon, which covers a total distance of close to 866km.

In comparison, the farthest distance the 41-year-old has ever completed is 450km. And if Chua were to complete the TransPyrenea ultramarathon, she would be the first Singaporean female runner to achieve the feat.

No Singaporean runner has ever completed the TransPyrenea ultramarathon — which will be held in the Pyrenees, a mountain range dividing Spain and France — although at least four other local runners have also signed up for this year’s race. Participants in the ultramarathon are only given 400 hours to complete the entire route.

“The aim is definitely to finish the race,” said Chua, a former fashion magazine editor. “Ultramarathons in themselves are personal challenges, and I don’t do this just to have my name in the record books.

“It’s a race that I’m not sure if I can complete, but that’s why I signed up for it — I want to push my boundaries and keep challenging myself.

“I don’t know what awaits me during the race, or how I’ll deal with the fatigue, the food situation and cold. It’s not everybody’s cup of tea, but all of that is an adventure to me so I’m really looking forward to it.

“I’ve been training hard and getting my body to be physically ready for such a stern test.

“I’ve also had to do a lot of mental preparations as well, because during the race, I’ll have to get my head in a space to push myself even when my body doesn’t want to go on.”

Chua was speaking on the sidelines of the official Singapore launch of running shoe brand Hoka One One yesterday, with whom she is its brand ambassador.

Dubbed as “maximalist shoes”, Hoka One One is one of the biggest brands in running.

It is notable for producing light, cushioned running shoes with a wide-body design and specially engineered mid-sole geometry.

Hoka One One shoes are now available in Singapore at various retail outlets such as Running Lab, Liv Active and selected World of Sports stores. NOAH TAN