Malaysian Ultra Runner Completes 400KM Challenge & Raises Over RM130,000 For Stray Animals
After completing the 65-hour ultramarathon, David ran an additional 100km race to boost his fundraising efforts.
By Tamara Jayne — 24 Feb 2025, 04:52 PM
In a remarkable display of endurance and determination, 15 runners successfully completed the gruelling 400km ultramarathon at the Route 68 Ultra in Gombak, marking the event's 10th anniversary
Among them was David Christopher, who finished the race in an astounding 65 hours, 33 minutes, and two seconds, while also raising over RM130,000 for animal welfare through his fundraising initiative.
The invite-only 400km ultramarathon kicked off on 18 February and spanned five days, pushing runners to their absolute limits.
With an elevation gain of 6,144m, the course wound through the scenic yet demanding landscapes of Genting Sempah, Bukit Tinggi, and Janda Baik.
But for David, this was about more than just the race — it was about making a difference
"I've been running long distance for about 10 to 12 years. This is the biggest event in Malaysia in a long time, so I wanted to have a good reason to do it beyond just a personal race. I thought of doing animal welfare fundraising, and that's how it started," he shared with event organiser Lumen Sports in an interview following the prize ceremony on Sunday.
David's fundraiser focused on supporting Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) Malaysia, an initiative dedicated to humanely controlling the stray animal population. All proceeds from his run would go directly to TNRM.
David initially set a modest target of RM5,000 to RM15,000, but as news spread, pledges soared. By the time the race began, he had already secured RM120,000 in promised donations.
"These were just pledges, meaning promises to donate. After the race, I had to contact everyone to collect the actual donations," he shared.
By now, I think we've hit RM130,000 to RM140,000 because more have come in during the last few days.
David's determination was fuelled by a unique fundraising structure — several donors pledged to double their donations if he completed the full 400km
With the highest single pledge at RM10 per kilometre, amounting to RM8,000 upon completion, there was no room for failure.
"The difference between completing 399km and 400km was double the pledged amount. I told myself, unless I got hit by a truck, I was going to finish," David said.
As if 400km wasn't enough, David made a last-minute decision to run a 100km race on Saturday, 22 February, completing it in 13 hours and 47 minutes
"I knew the course in this race was slightly under distance. It doesn't reach 400km. So I wanted to remove all doubts from anybody's mind. When I did a recovery run on Saturday morning, I felt really good. Then I just had the thought in my head. Could I actually help the fundraiser even further?" he asked himself.
With a spontaneous social media post, he set a new pledge goal — if RM5,000 more was raised, he would run the extra 100km. Within hours, pledges exceeded RM6,300, and David was back on the road.
"It was worth it. It was the most painful and slowest 100km for me. But I finished it. So I'm really proud that I completed it and contributed another completely unexpected amount," he said with relief.
With soaring temperatures and extreme exhaustion setting in, David relied on sheer willpower and micro-napping strategies — sleeping for just two hours in total over the 65-hour race
"My strategy was to fight the first wave of sleepiness and wait for the second wave about an hour later. When that happened, I would step off the course to somewhere moderately safe and set my alarm for 20 minutes. I usually woke up naturally after 12 to 15 minutes. I did this about seven times during the race," he said.
"The heat was another major challenge. The third day was extremely hot, and unlike other races, we had no access to ice since it was self-supported. Fortunately, I had trained for heat with some heat training and sauna sessions," he explained.
Despite the intense competition, the bond between runners was undeniable. With no official support crews, participants helped each other — sharing food, drinks, and encouragement.
"The last remaining 18 or so people were like brothers and sisters in combat. Everyone was supportive of each other. Half the participants didn't have a support crew, but they were supported by other runners' crews," David added.
While this achievement was monumental, David is content with leaving the 400km ultra as a one-time challenge
"I've accomplished this bucket list item. While it was meaningful and joyful, especially with the fundraiser, it was also torturous. I can't picture myself doing this again," he admitted.
The Route 68 Ultra, which initially introduced the 400km category for its 10th-anniversary celebration, may return in future editions.
Whether David returns as a participant or not, his impact on both the running and animal welfare communities will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come.
