DOMPU, KOMPAS — Runners began to fall, one by one, on the second day of the Kompas Tambora Challenge 2019-Lintas Sumbawa 320K ultra marathon on Sumbawa Island, West Nusa Tenggara, on Thursday (2/5/2019). Their willpower was shaken by extreme weather, comprising stinging heat and heavy rain.
As of 10 p.m. Central Indonesian Time on Thursday, 10 runners were declared unfit to continue in Southeast Asia’s most extreme marathon. They withdrew from the race in Sumbawa regency, locally known as Samawa, before the halfway mark of the race at kilometer 160. Runners throwing in the towel comprised six in the men’s individual, three in the men’s relay and one in the women’s relay.
The oldest participant, Gatot Sudariyono, 57, could not continue the race as the heat on Sumbawa Island had completely drained his energy. Kompas met Gatot along with two other runners Priyo Dwi Indarto, 36, and Lemri Erwanto, 33, sitting together under a lush tree just 100 kilometers from the start line in Poto Tano, West Sumbawa regency.
“The weather is just so hot. My energy has been completely drained. I cannot go to checkpoint [CP] 3. So, all three of us are just being realistic in deciding to withdraw [from the race],” Gatot said, to which both Priyo and Lemri nodded.
Runners passed through Sumbawa Besar regency on kilometers 60-160 on the race’s route. The coastal region is known to be intensely hot between morning and noon. Temperatures may reach 35 degrees Celsius.
Other than for runners pulling out of the race, Sumbawa’s weather was also an enigma for Hendra Siswanto, who ruled the race thus far and was the first individual male runner to pass the 180-km mark. He, too, said the heat was fierce. As he arrived at CP 4, he immediately asked for a towel and took a 10-minute shower. “It was just so hot. It’s terrible,” he said.
However, at around 3 p.m., the weather suddenly changed. On km 130-160, heavy rain poured. As a result, individual women runner and reigning champion Eni Rosita was drenched when she arrived at CP 4. “We were like anchovies being left outside to dry. One moment, it’s raining. Then, it’s terribly hot. Then, it’s raining again,” said relay runner M Dzaki Wardana, who arrived at CP 4 together with Eni.
Such uncertain weather may make the runners’ shoes damp, which can lead to blisters. To prevent this, Eni always replaces her socks whenever they get wet.
Race director Lexi Rohi said year after year, the first 160 km had always been the race’s most terrifying leg for many participants. Many runners give up as they are physically incapable of continuing or have fulfilled a predetermined time limit.
“The highest number of runners [give up] at the halfway mark. Afterward, it is at km 280 as many are facing difficulties to finish the race,” Lexi said.
Two hearts
On the second day, many runners sprung surprises. In the men’s relay, Jumardi and Oktavianus Quaasalmy led the race. Jumardi, a member of the presidential security detail, became the fastest runner after reaching km 160 at only 21 hours and 42 minutes.
Oktavianus, his relay partner, continued the race toward the finish line in Doro Ncanga, Dompu regency. Oktavianus ran convincingly. In just eight hours, he completed 60 km from CP 4.
With consistency, the Jumardi-Oktavianus pair is expected to reach the finish line on Friday at 11 a.m. They may finish 20 hours ahead of the time limit in the relay category, which is on Saturday at 7 a.m.. “I aim to finish in 23 hours and arrive in Dompu at around 11 a.m.,” said Oktavianus before beginning his run from CP 4.
In the men’s individual, Hensis, as Hendra is called, remained way ahead of other runners. He had reached km 200 and his closest competitor Rachmat Septiyanto was five hours behind him. The Banyuwangi-born runner also left past champions, Alan Maula and William Beanjay, in the dust.
It seemed as if Hensis had two hearts. He only stopped running for a moment at CP 4. He had yet to sleep since the race began on Wednesday afternoon. “My body is so tired but I do not want to sleep just yet,” said Hensis, who always asks where the other runners are.
Eni, the “Queen of Lintas Sumbawa” still ruled the race as of Thursday night. The runner was way ahead of other female runners in the first 160 km. Eni is also in front of Alan and William. Among other runners, Eni is called “bang”, which is commonly used to call an older brother, due to her extraordinary energy. (KEL/ZAK/RUL/BRO