Runner Oktavianus Quaasalmy becomes the first runner to reach the finish line of the 320-kilometer Jelajah Sumbawa cross-country run at Doro Ncanga field in Dompu, West Nusa Tenggara, on Friday (7/4). Oktavianus took part in the competition with his running mate Rizki Triadi Dewata, securing a time of 50 hours and 27 minutes from the start of the race in Pototano on Wednesday (5/4).
After running for 160 kilometers for 24 hours and 30 minutes, Oktavianus Quaasalmy, 33, finally reached the finish line of the Lintas Sumbawa 2017 cross country race on Friday (7/4/2017) at 5:26 p.m. Central Indonesian Time. With his teammate Rizki Triadi Dewata, 26, Oktavianus emerged as the champion of the relay category.
“I am relieved to have reached the finish line. Winning is just a matter of luck,” said the man known to his friend as Okta at the Lintas Sumbawa 2017 finish area in Doro Ncanga, Dompu regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).
The Lintas Sumbawa race was first held in 2015 and is now considered to be the longest and toughest race in Southeast Asia. The total distance is 320 kilometers. The race is part of the 2017 Tambora Charms Festival held collaboratively by the Tourism Ministry, the NTB provincial government, local city and regency administrations in NTB and Kompas daily.
In addition to the individual category, Lintas Sumbawa 2017 also included a relay category, in which six pairs participated, including that of Okta and Rizki. Each team comprised two runners, bringing the total number of relay runners to 12. The individual category was joined by 15 runners.
Individual runners needed to finish all 320 kilometers on their own under the cut off time of 72 hours. The relay runners each took 160 kilometers and a team had to complete all 320 kilometers under 72 hours.
Not the fastest
At the start of the race on Wednesday (5/4) in Pototano, West Sumbawa regency, Rizki was among the first six runners in the first 160-kilometer leg of the relay race. Unfortunately, he failed to finish the first leg first as he was beaten by Yogyakartan runner Ari Iskandar, 27. Rizki completed the first 160 kilometers in 25 hours and 57 minutes, or 55 minutes later than Ari.
Okta was in a disadvantaged position when starting the first leg. The runner from Tangerang, Banten, started 55 minutes later than Ari Iskandar’s partner Dzaki Wardana, 28. After lagging behind in the first 100 kilometers, Okta finally caught up to Dzaki at kilometer 260.
Okta and Dzaki raced each other up to kilometer 290. However, afterwards, Okta led as Dzaki suffered from blisters on his feet. Okta finally finished first before Dzaki, who completed the race at 6:26 p.m.
Impressive
Despite saying that his team’s victory was only a matter of luck, what Okta achieved in Lintas Sumbawa 2017 was impressive. Looking at the terrain of the route, the second relay runner had a more difficult task as the second 160 kilometers had harsher terrain than the first.
Despite the rigorous terrain, Okta finished his 160 kilometers faster than the first relay runners. Okta attracted attention due to his use of minimal equipment and simple strategy.
For instance, he only brought along one pair of shoes and did not bring any energy food like many ultra marathon runners do. “Rizki lent me an extra pair of shoes and gave me additional nutritional intake,” said Okta, who was the champion in the 100-kilometer category of the Tambora Challenge 2016.
On the other hand, Dzaki Wardana’s struggle to reach the finish line was also impressive. From the starting line, the Yogyakartan runner ran fast and completed the first 40 kilometers under five hours. “I got blisters perhaps because I never changed my shoes and socks. However, I am grateful to have reached the finish line, especially because the route was fierce and this was the craziest race I’ve ever participated in,” Dzaki said.
Lintas Sumbawa 2017 race director Lexi Rohi said the competition in the relay category was stiff. This was because the relay runners had to excel not only in endurance but also in speed.
Individuals
Meanwhile, in the individual category, four of the 15 runners were still trying to finish the race. Up to Friday night, Eni Rosita, 38, from Tangerang led. Behind her were Ambonese Lintas Sumbawa 2016 champion Matheos Berhitu, 44, Makassarese Restu Adam, 29, and Lily Suryani, 52, from Denpasar.
Up to 9 p.m. Central Indonesian time, Matheos was still at kilometer 245. Restu and Lily were at kilometer 240 at 8:40 p.m. Central Indonesian time. Eni Rosita led at kilometer 270 at 8:20 p.m.
The runners have until Saturday (8/4) at 3 p.m. Central Indonesian Time to finish the race.
