Pangkor Laut Resort has crafted a unique experience named The Chapman’s Challenge to honour the same belief in which Colonel Freddy Spencer Chapman, a British commando who made his last escape from Emerald Bay in 1945, lived his life.

The Chapman’s Challenge comprises of a 6.2km run around the private island roadways and through the two million year old rainforest including a 1km swim out at the award-winning Emerald Bay before concluding at Chapman’s Bar. The inaugural annual event is slated for launch on 13 to 15 May 2016, with limited slots available for registration.

Colonel Spencer Chapman spent 31⁄2 years in hiding from the occupying Japanese army during World War II in the wild jungles of Malaya. On 13 May 1945, he made his last escape from Emerald Bay at Pangkor Laut with his compatriot, Major R. Broome. They swam 45m out to sea in the dark of night to be rescued by the Royal Navy submarine, HMS Statesman.

A selected group of triathletes and guests were recently invited to participate in The Chapman’s Challenge through an exclusive preview event. Triathletes included Rikigoro Shinozuka, a silver medalist at the 2015 SEA Games, Irene Chong, a national woman triathlete, SEA Games gold medalist triathlete Kimbeley Yap and Yee Sze Mun, a 78-year old triathlete and the first to be inducted into Malaysia’s new Hall of Fame after participating in 11 Ironman Malaysia events.

A warm welcome by Carey Ng, Miss Universe Malaysia 2013 before an energising warm-up session, led by the founders of DailyMuscle Body Transformation Camp, and a speech by the resort’s General Manager, Ross Sanders marked the occasion.

Sanders stated, ‘Chapman’s Bar was named after Colonel Spencer Chapman many years ago when we first opened Pangkor Laut Resort. Today, we are delighted to have crafted this challenge to share the story of his jungle experience on this island with the rest of the world.’

Registration for The Chapman’s Challenge is now available online at www.pangkorlautresort.com through a full board package starting from MYR999 nett per room per night. A minimum stay of two nights’ inclusive of 13 and 14 May 2016 is required to participate in the race.

The package inclusions are return scheduled speedboat transfers, accommodation, daily meals, two entries to the race day on 14 May 2016, post-race cocktails/mocktails and post-race barbecue dinner at Emerald Bay. Every participant will also receive a goody bag courtesy of YTL Hotels, Reebok, Ipanema and TYR. The top three winners stand to win exciting stay prizes within YTL Hotels’ global portfolio of luxury properties.

For more info, visit Chapman’s challenge website here.

Get a preview of the challenge and the luxurious experience which awaits you.