For many athletes, a top-tier ranking is the ultimate objective—a validation of elite status. But for Cher Jenyi, currently ranked among the Top 50 female ultra-runners in Malaysia by the ITRA Performance Index, the numbers are merely a byproduct of a much deeper discipline. Jenyi does not chase titles; she focuses on a state of constant learning. To her, consistency is about showing up prepared and respecting the terrain, regardless of the format.

On 24–25 January 2026, Jenyi will bring this grounded philosophy to the UiTM Ultra Vol. 8. Competing in the 52KM category, she faces a demanding 12-hour cut-off that requires a hybrid of marathon-level speed and ultra-endurance. While her resume is decorated with success in challenging, high-elevation trail runs, the UiTM Ultra represents a different kind of challenge: nine repetitive loops of the Shah Alam campus, featuring the notorious “Bukit Tonggek.”

The timing of this race adds a layer of complexity. Jenyi enters the starting gate just one week after the LKL-DMT 70KM, making the UiTM Ultra a test of “back-to-back” resilience. Rather than over-analysing the loop, she has opted for a raw experience, deliberately skipping any pre-race reconnaissance. “I want my body to experience the course naturally on race day,” she explains. “I’m curious to see how it will humble me.”

 

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Balancing a professional career with ultra-training remains her primary hurdle. Jenyi manages this by prioritising quality over quantity, focusing on effort-based sessions rather than empty miles. She views rest as a mandatory component of performance, not a departure from it. “When my body feels tired, I choose to rest rather than forcing a session,” she notes. This pragmatic approach is what allows her to maintain her high standing without succumbing to burnout.

Her mental strategy for the 52KM (9 loops) is one of patience. Without a fixed aid station plan, Jenyi intends to use the first loop as a diagnostic phase—learning the rhythm of the course before settling into a steady pace. Her goal is to finish before the sun rises, enjoying the unique “running familia” atmosphere. For Jenyi, the UiTM Ultra is the final milestone of a high-intensity training block, serving as a social celebration with the community before she transitions into a recovery-focused off-season.

For road runners looking to step up to their first 50KM, Jenyi offers a seasoned perspective. “Walking is not a weakness in ultras; it’s a strategy,” she advises. In the repetitive, uphill grind of the Shah Alam night, Jenyi’s approach will be a study in patience. She isn’t there to defend a ranking; she is there to respect the distance and enjoy the process.