Mohd Sulhan Bin Mohd Bahak never set out to be a champion. In fact, running was never the goal—it was merely a tool. A means to an end. As a hardcore hiker, he jogged only to build stamina for mountain treks. But somewhere along the way, something shifted. The thrill of conquering peaks ignited a fire in him, and he soon found himself drawn to a different kind of climb—the climb to becoming a trail-running champion.

“I started as a hiker, and jogging was just training for my hardcore trips,” he shares. “I was excited to conquer mountains or hills in a short period, like in climbathon events.”

That fire was on full display at The Bandaraya Trail Run 2025, where Mohd Sulhan stormed through the treacherous 12KM course, battling brutal inclines and unforgiving descents to not only win his category but emerge as the overall champion. With a net time of 01:53:24, he didn’t just outrun the competition—he outlasted the mountains themselves.

It wasn’t an easy path to victory. The course was a monster, demanding strategy as much as strength. He knew this wasn’t a race to charge headfirst into. He studied the terrain, saving his energy for the last climb, where he knew the real war would be fought. His patience paid off.

“I had tried the route once before and knew not to push too hard at the start because the last hill was the real challenge,” he explains.

At the toughest part of the race—the final grueling uphill segment—the second-place runner was right on his heels. The trail was narrow, crowded with participants from different categories, making every move critical. One wrong step could cost him the title. But he wasn’t about to let that happen.

Then came the decisive moment.

 

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“We shared the same route with the 5KM participants, and I had to overtake on a narrow trail,” he recalls. “After halfway through the climb, I managed to open the gap and started increasing my speed.”

With sheer determination, he surged forward, breaking away halfway through the climb. It was a gamble, but it worked. As he crested the peak, he glanced back. No one behind him. That was the moment he knew—the race was his.

“I knew some fast guys were running, but I just focused on my own pace,” he says.

The final descent became a blur, his legs pushing beyond exhaustion, fueled only by the thought of victory. When he crossed the finish line, he had done more than just win. He had conquered.

“Happy to meet my initial target to finish under two hours—being a champion is a bonus,” he grins.

For Mohd Sulhan, this triumph isn’t just about a medal or a title—it’s about proving to himself what he’s truly capable of. The same hiker who once ran just to survive mountain treks is now setting his sights on ultramarathons, ready to push his limits even further.

“This race gave me a competitive vibe and helped with my mental strength,” he says. “I plan to take part in ultra distances this year, probably 50KM.”

His advice to others chasing their own mountains? “Run to be a better version of yourself, don’t compare yourself with others. Keep training and just enjoy the race.”

With this win in the books, one thing is clear: Mohd Sulhan isn’t done climbing. He’s just getting started.