Join the Viper Challenge 2025 — grab your slot here

For Daryl Cheah, Viper Challenge is more than just another race. It is a test of preparation, mindset, and resilience. Over the years, he has learned exactly what it takes not just to survive it, but to enjoy every muddy, exhausting moment.

As a Viper Challenge Ambassador and a seasoned obstacle racer who has also tackled events like Spartan, HYROX, and Redline, Daryl has been through his share of mistakes, breakthroughs, and hard-earned lessons. Now, he is sharing those insights to help others avoid the common pitfalls and embrace the challenge ahead with confidence.

The biggest mistake people make is focusing only on obstacles. They forget Viper Challenge is still a race, and running will carry you through most of it.

For anyone preparing for Viper Challenge, Daryl’s first piece of advice is simple: get your running right. Obstacle course racing is not just about climbing ropes or crossing monkey bars. It is about covering ground efficiently between those moments. Build your endurance. Vary your runs between easy, long, and tempo sessions. Do not just survive the runs. Own them.

When it comes to training for obstacles, Daryl stresses fundamentals over gimmicks. Grip strength, pulling movements, and core stability are the non-negotiables. Pull-ups, dead hangs, and farmer carries may not be fancy, but they will prepare you for most of the course.

He also reminds athletes not to overlook their gear. Say no to old and worn-out clothes and shoes. The right gear can make or break your race, and you do not want your shoes falling apart halfway through the course.

Balance matters. For athletes juggling work, family, and training, Daryl recommends keeping things simple. A foundation of running, basic strength movements, and grip work will take you further than overcomplicating your routine.

But fitness is not just about the hours you put in at the gym or on the trails. Nutrition and recovery play a huge role in how well you perform on race day.

Your nutrition is your fuel. You would not drive cross-country on an empty tank, so do not race on one either.

Daryl advocates moderation, not extremes. Balanced meals with carbs, protein, and fats. Hydrate properly. Practice your race-day fueling strategy well in advance. No experimenting on the big day.

Recovery is equally important. Stretching, foam rolling, and mobility work help you stay moving and injury-free. In the weeks leading up to race day, taper your training. Less volume, more rest. There is no such thing as last-minute fitness, Daryl says. It is better to arrive fresh and ready than fatigued and flat.

For those feeling nervous, especially first-timers, Daryl’s advice is grounded in experience and empathy. Remember why you signed up.

It is normal to feel intimidated. But once you are out there, surrounded by people who are all struggling, sweating, and smiling with you, it becomes something bigger than just a race.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Daryl (@be_legendaryl)

Viper Challenge is more than obstacles or distance. It is about community. It is about proving something to yourself.

For Daryl, it is about passing that mindset forward and helping others realise they are capable of more than they think.

You are made for this. Trust the process, trust your training, and do not be afraid to ask for advice. The OCR community is one of the most supportive you will find.

At the end of the day, success at Viper Challenge is not about medals or finish times. It is about showing up, rising to the challenge, and finishing stronger than you started.

Ready to take on your own challenge? Viper Challenge 2025 is happening on 23 and 24 August 2025 at Iskandar Puteri, Johor. Register now at https://viperchallenge.com/product-category/iskandar-puteri-johor/