Sua Yih Huan crossed the finish line at Cameron Ultra (CULTRA) 2025 with two titles to his name. He was crowned Malaysia Men Overall Champion and Veteran Champion. But there was no celebration.

“I feel quite happy and honoured,” he said. “But still a bit sad. I did not hit my own target.”

The 45-year-old finished second overall in the 100-kilometre race and was the fastest Malaysian in the field. Yet for Sua, the real objective was personal. He had set a target time of 15 hours. Falling short of that, even while outperforming younger runners, left him with mixed emotions.

“To be honest, I underestimated CULTRA a little bit,” he admitted. “Because I looked at the course before the race, and the altitude of each mountain was not particularly high compared to some of my previous races.”

What looked manageable on paper turned into a punishing second half. Sua began to struggle physically and mentally, dealing with exhaustion that deepened as the race wore on.

“My body had been exhausted for a long time. I was extremely tired physically and mentally,” he said. “I tried my best to replenish energy and forget about the fatigue.”

Despite this, he stayed calm and focused. He knew his position in the race but kept his attention on pacing and energy management.

“I was more concerned about my physical condition and whether I could finish the race within the set time.”

Sua’s approach was built on endurance, not aggression. Unlike many runners in the open category who focus on speed and shorter distances, he relied on experience and consistency.

“I think my usual endurance training was my advantage,” he said. “Because the open group runners may focus more on short-distance events.”

He ran according to plan. No early sprint. Just steady effort and control.

“For long-distance races, time and distance are a big test,” he said. “I try to keep myself at a comfortable pace in the first half and not sprint.”

That strategy begins long before race day. After every event, Sua reviews his performance and adapts his training accordingly.

“For CULTRA, I trained more on runnable trails like tea gardens,” he explained. “I always pay attention to my post-race results and train for the difficulty of the next race.”

Years of racing have taught him how to be adaptable. His experience is not just about pace and race strategy. It also informs how he adjusts to the needs of his body over time.

“In many international races, the top three are chosen regardless of category,” he said. “Veteran runners have more experience. Both in competition and in endurance.”

Sua continues to refine key elements of his training. Pace, nutrition, and recovery are all areas he is still working on.

“I am still learning,” he said. “These are very important in daily training. In each session, I try to find and train my speed, nutrition, and recovery. I must find the most suitable way for myself.”

Now, his focus shifts to future challenges. The Magnificent Baling 100 and the Malaysia Ultra Trail by UTMB are both on his calendar. He is not slowing down.

 

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“To fellow veteran runners who think their best years are behind them,” he said, “your best moments might still be ahead. Speed may fade, but strength, resilience, and wisdom only grow.”

Then he adds with quiet confidence,
“Keep showing up. You still inspire every time you lace up.”

Two titles at CULTRA. One relentless runner. And still, the best may be yet to come.