The highly anticipated registration for this year’s Cameron Ultra – or CULTRA has opened. Six months to race day. You pick a category. Register. Start training. 

And if you are based in Singapore, you may want to consider some of the travel options available for you.

CULTRA is marking its seventh edition in 2024. Last year, it  saw a total of almost 2,500 runners from around the world gather to tackle the multiple challenging categories courses, ranging from 4km (junior category), to 14km, 30km, 60km, and 100km (for open and veteran categories). Additionally, a new “super veteran” category has been added for this year.

The 2023 edition also introduced a few notable differences from previous events – with new challenging technical courses for all categories, which included additional elevation gain, providing participants with a more challenging and exhilarating experience. 

Additionally, the introduction of 4km distance gave junior runners (12-17 years old) the chance to experience Cameron Ultra Race and nurture the new generation of ultra trail runners.

The coldest temperature recorded during the event last July reached a chilling 11°C, adding an additional element of challenge to the race.

How to get from Singapore to Cameron Highlands

By Air

• Fly to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Many flight options to KLIA or KLIA 2. You can then choose to rent a car and drive northwards for another four hours. Or you can take a taxi or Grab service to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) about 50km away; last year, CULTRA organiser arranged for an official shuttle bus from there.
• Fly to Sultan Azlan Shah Airport in Ipoh. Limited number of Scoot flights. Then drive 100km to Cameron Highlands. Although the driving distance is shorter, there are very limited car rental options from this airport.

By Road

• Self-driving is an option. Distance is just under 600km from Woodlands Checkpoint. Allocate about eight hours for trip.
• Chartered bus is another option. Some running groups typically organise overnight bus rides from Singapore. Journey may take up to ten hours.

Don’t Just Run, Enjoy Cameron Highlands

Spend some time either side of the race to enjoy Cameron Highlands. At about 1,500m above sea level, this is the highest area in Peninsular Malaysia and has lots of tourist attractions including:

• Boh Tea Plantation: Wander through endless green tea fields and learn about tea production.
• Strawberry and honey bee farmsHoney Bee Farm: A delightful spot for families, featuring an apiary and a honey-themed gift shop.
• Pasar Pagi and Night Market in Brinchang: Immerse yourself in local culture with morning and evening markets offering street food, crafts, and souvenirs.
• Mossy Forest and Mountain Brinchang: Discover the ancient, mist-enshrouded forest and breathtaking mountain views.
• Butterfly Farm and Cactus Valley: Encounter vibrant butterflies and a fascinating variety of cacti.
• Cultural Highlights: Visit the Mah Meri Art Gallery, Sri Thendayuthapani Swamy Temple, and the Sam Poh Temple for a peek into the region’s diverse heritage.
• Vegetable Farms: Explore the numerous vegetable farms in the area, where you can see how various vegetables are grown and even buy some fresh produce.
• Orang Asli Village: You can visit a traditional Orang Asli village to learn about the indigenous people’s culture and way of life.

You may register at https://v2.checkpointspot.asia/event/CULTRA24.

Also, check out ToughASIA’s review of the 14km course  for the 2023 edition: https://toughasia.com/cultra-14km-challenging-for-regular-trail-runners-safe-enough-for-newbies/