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Singapore to Malaysia.

Had a nice three day rest in Singapore, such a clean city very strict on littering. I am sure we have all heard of the no spitting rule and as a result with stiff penalties it is by and large observed. For locals to be charged with this or littering it would be a case of social stigma. Well done Singapore!

A couple of times I wanted to clear my throat but didn’t as I don’t want to be accused of being a hypocrite!

I did see some litter, drink bottles and wrappers left behind at bus shelter seats and picnic areas and was told that was perhaps the result of foreign immigrants which the government brings in here for it’s many construction projects. They use a huge amount of cheap labour for the trade unions are very weak here.

Singapore 50 years ago was just a small wasteland, an island at the end of the Asian peninsula. Now it’s a major world financial and business district with a population of around 4.5 million.

Most of the island is chopper blocked by high rise buildings. Low taxation on wages but very high on spending tax, for example a family car can cost $US 70,000 or about three times what it costs in expensive Ireland. If you want good services and want to live in the first world you got to pay for it.

My host Lyndon a runner himself decided to run me as far as the Malaysian border and in doing so became the first man to run an entire country with me, all 31km of it :)

Thanks Lyndon I enjoyed the company and wonder when I will have another runner to run with me. I hope I will not have to wait till I get to Europe! We made a couple of coffee stops for I was a bit rusty after my break. I have noticed that more than one day off the road that the rest is not totally beneficial.

I could have taken a ferry from Indonesia to Malaysia and totally skipped the lower end of this peninsula but really wanted to start the Asian mainland from Singapore, you see nobody has ever gone from Singapore to Europe by foot, so it will be nice to be the first!

An indication of how strict the Singaporean authorities are is that I saw signs just before the border with Malaysia saying that all Singapore vehicles must top up their petrol tanks three quarters full or face a S$500 fine, for the petrol is much cheaper in Malaysia than massively taxed Singapore. Many people work in Singapore, get the huge wages there and commute to the Malaysian border city of Johor Bahru where they can live in comfort for cheaper. As a result the cost of living in Johor Bahru I am told is more expensive than in other Malaysian cities.

After Lyndon left me I had a bit of a scare as I was told I could not run across the bridge as it was too dangerous. After an intensive plea to the official I was very fortunate that he let me take the motorcycle lane which was closed off from the main road. I was told I could run that way at my own risk. The motorcycle lane was narrow, windy and very busy. Perhaps these particular work commuters prefer to travel by bike, being the best way to make this commute practical  for there were long,long lines of cars which was surely time consuming. The motorcycle lane was really busy, narrow and windy, it was very dangerous but I made it. It was about 2km to the immigration office. I climbed over the barrier into the car lane and was escorted by a surprised immigration officer into the immigration building. Not used to seeing pedestrians he kindly showed me the way and in doing so we went in an elevator to the second floor. Then I realised I had broken my trail, is an elevator against the rules? Not really sure even though I was ascending and not going forward. I just explained and returned to the ground floor climbing the two flights of stairs!

I crossed into Malaysia. First impression, I am back in civilisation after Indonesia! And in this border city the drivers are very respectful. Same in Singapore as I just couldn’t get used to leisurely drivers not wanting to run me over at pedestrian crossings! Ah Yes, when the law is enforced

Let’s see what the rest of Malaysia is like.

In Singapore I did a lot of late night work on Lyndon’s computer and as a result got very little sleep. Sleep is important for me as the muscle and tendon beatings I get on the road are best repaired by sleep.

The runners best repairing is done during sleep. I was extremely tired on the road today and decided to find a hotel in Johor Bahru and take a rest day Friday, and sleep I did, a glorious 20 hour sleep getting up once for the bathroom.

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14 Responses to “Singapore to Malaysia.”

  1. kevin scanlon Says:

    well done tony. the new country seems better already. you might try for the sleeping world record at the end of this run!!!!!! kevin

  2. Greg Havely Says:

    Hey Tony—-I know you are on a roll, but there is a really nice little island off the coast from Mersing called Tioman if you should need a place to stop and recover, relax etc—-although I doubt that that is going to happen—–haha—–a man on a mission——
    Sounds like Malaysia will be kinder to you then Indonesia–which is great!!!—–
    OK man—-cheers and good running—Greg

  3. Fergus Says:

    Good Man Tony, True to form – no short cuts – not even an elevator !! This account of the next episode of the most daring expedition of the millennium is fascinating reading. Long may it continue. More power to you.

  4. Ann Says:

    Fair play Tony no elevator, glad you are enjoying Malaysia so far and it’s litter free, I think you may become a litter warden after this run!! Take care Ann :)

  5. Ann for Tony Says:

    hi Ann, pls post First road day in Malaysia was a joy even if I had difficulty getting out of the built up JB area of the deep south with its tangle of highways.After 20.km it straightened out and I had a wide shoulder on a busy 6 lane divided highway. Not a single honk,gawk or attempt to run me off the road..Heaven :-) First impressions excite me, I could be in Europe,even the Costa del.Sol. The people are smart and futuristic.The hotels have hot showers,no bugs and are clean. 34k today.Nice hotel and delicious stir fry dinner with 2 teas was €12.Of course this could go belly up in a few days but great first impression :-) Malaysia is an Islamic country with a great multi racial mix. The Chinese are very prominent. English is widely understood.

  6. kirsty Says:

    Hi Tony, sounds like you are still loving meeting people everywhere! You are amazing. I was one of the people that ran with you the day you left port Augusta ( with tiffany). I just wanted to tell you that you inspired me to train for my first marathon (Melbourne) which is 4 weeks away. I love reading about your adventures and your determination to run every step! Cheers Kirsty

  7. Ann for Tony Says:

    Hi Ann Pl post 54k today & 48 Sun. Total 35,013km for 811 Malaysia continues to be an enjoyable & civilized country :-)

  8. Mam Says:

    Congratulations on running over 35,000 kms. Well done Tony :)

  9. heri Says:

    hi..i met u during lunch in ayer hitam on 16th september..i never thought that you are world record holder..and good luck in your journey accross malaysia..and dont forget to tell me when you are crossing penang state..i live here..maybe we can seat and have some “teh panas”(hot tea)..haha..

  10. Thierry Says:

    Tony Hi

    If you remember the few Email exchanges we had on the day you left B.A ; Argentina .
    Unfortunately we could not meet each other by half a day .!

    However I will be in K.L Malaysia by tomorrow Sept 20 for a month
    Hopefully try to meet … if you could drop me a line !

    FYI KL marathon due sept 29 , Joining ? LOL

    best regards
    looking forward meeting you !
    T.M

  11. Ann for Tony Says:

    Malaysia continues to impress. I am almost a week here and after a three month torment on and off the road I am delighted by the place,as excited as a young lad smitten with a new girlfriend! The fun is back in the running,very much so:-) Malaysia is working hard towards its goal to achieve developed world status by year 2020. Good luck I say as from what I have observed in these early days is quite impressive. No idiot driving,or people carrying factory gates,sheets of plywood on scooters with precarious attachments to their bikes. I actually see people taking driving lessons,others with learner signs and courtesy on the road.Ah! Yes the British influence,same with Singapore.
    General signs are often in English,I guess to get people using the words more.There is also a huge Chinese community here and I often hear English words and phrases used between them.
    2016 is the year when it will be compulsory for students to pass English in their exams. Malaysian right-wing activist Ibrahim Ali president of Perkasa s group that champions Malay supremacy concedes that while the Bahasa Malay language must not be compromised as the main language and agrees with the governments policy of the advancement of English as its the real world language and ‘the language of knowledge’
    Running on through tropical forests of rubber trees where farmers had had slit the barks of the trees to collect the white rubber gung as it drips into a can wired to the tree.
    That day 54k and my 35,000km of the run I made it to a warung where the 2 young lads played music till 1am.
    Next day it rained heavily,so a long shelter and thanks to 3 lads who bought me lunch,48k on route 24 towards Maur. Because I took a bypass I was stuck for a place to stay till I came to a building site which had a freshly tiled floor.I put some cardboard down but didn’t sleep too well as Malay mosquitoe repellent ain’t as good as Indonesian. As always I eventually fell asleep hours later,another short sleep, I will pay for it on the road tomorrow. And so I did as every one of that days 45 was tough for it was also hot with little water en route,so I had to hussle it a couple times from parked drivers. Places are more spread out here than in Indonesia. I made it to a hotel just before Malake. Ah! Yes am due a comfy bed and hot shower.

  12. kevin scanlon Says:

    great news tony. great progress too. the tracker is moving along nicely. its lovely to hear malaysia is a better place. well done.

  13. Ann for Tony Says:

    A bit of a sluggish start got me out of Kuala Kansgor. A big hitting 60km day with a late finish.just as I was picking up the pace a runner called NG Bak Klong texted me to say I could stay in his brother in laws place that night as the local running club NTCRC wanted to join me on the road next morning. Ong and Ng drove out to greet me into Parit Buntar,a neat looking place.
    Out on the road with the club next morning at 7am no sooner did we start when a we had a torrential downpour, , soaked to the skin we had a lovely 14km run on the highway to a small village where the club lad laid on a delicious brunch in a warung. I did an interview for a local Chinese language paper.
    The north of Malaysia is more heavily populated by the Chinese. It is said that the Malaysians may control government but the Chinese the economy.
    Arriving in Perai with another 50km behind me Jerry a local runner testa me to sins me.After serious hassle he eventually tracks me down and I spend a pleasant night in his home. He tells me he works 6 days a week in a hardware store denm 10am to 10pm.Later I realise he had to get off work to help me out. Tey back in Kuala Lumpar.master of contacts is co ordinating all this. I learn Jerrys work place is in Kapala Batas 20km up the road on my route and ask him to take it there and I would pick it up when I run through. In my haste I forgot to take the Spot out and only realize it when I am about to restart, so there was no tracking that morning. I am barely up the road after having lunch in KFC with Jerry when Chan Kong Tiong pulls up. Chan is his family name which the Chinese put first. Kong Tiong a runner himself who doesnt let running get in the way of having a cigarette, he told me when he broken his marathon personal best he had a couple of smokes in the race! He took time off work to crew for me today and tomorrow .these last few days the weather has cooled off but lots od rain showers.
    A few people have told me that the people are not happy with the government and its the same government since the founding of the state 50 years ago. The people cant get rid of them as they literally buy their way into power when there is an election. $50 is what I have hears from 2 different people. I am told politicians go around with suitcases of $50 bills handing them out to poor people who will vote foe them on the spot. Cant help wondering what the international community is doing..no election scrutinizing. Hong Tiong looked after me well that day with a 49km finish about 11k past Sungei Petani. I stayed in his home that night and next day we returned to my finishing location. A nice steady days running took me to the clock tower in Alor Star and another 50 under my shoes. KT came out to help crew. Thanks lads for a great time! In Alor Star we had dinner with Eugene who will crew me to the Thailand border on Thursday. We on Ireland know thw name Eugene is a typical Irish name bur I am told its a typical chinese name!
    Eugene also paid for my hotel here. Am having terrible trouble getting people to take any cash from me,such generous people. Total 35,725km for 825 road days \ 846.7 marathons
    Many thanks to so many people so numerous to mention all making it a great ” Ole Malay! ” Special thanks to Tey,Hong Tiong and Eugene.. All others you know who you are please take a bow.

  14. Ann Says:

    Nobody in their right mind could have completed a better job than this.
    I discovered a reat deal and acquired some fascinating details from reading through yourr web-site and wanted to mention thank you for that info.

    Feel free to surf to my blog e juice monkey (Ann)

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About Tony

I have always considered myself to be an average runner. In school, I was even bullied for I was a sports wimp. Through hard work, dedication, perseverance, self-belief and a strong mind I succeeded in not only running around the world but breaking four ultra running world records during my competitive career. Having previously cycled around the world I didn't start running until I was almost 30. Then I had a dream of running around the world. For many reasons, I waited for over 20 years. One reason was to establish my pedigree as an endurance athlete. I started and finished my world run as the current World Record-Holder for 48 Hours Indoor Track 426 kilometres (265 miles), a record I have held since 2007. I also broke and still hold the World Record for 48 hours on a Treadmill 405 kilometres (251 miles) in 2008. When I retired from competition, more pleasing than any of my world, European or Irish records I had the respect of my fellow athletes from all over the world - in my opinion, sports greatest reward - an achievement I am most proud of. Then I finally put myself out to pasture, to live my ultimate dream to run around the world! This blog was written on the road while I struggled to find places to sleep and to recover from running an average of 43.3 kilometres or 27 miles per day for 1,165 road days. There were many nights I typed this blog on a smart phone, so fatigued my eyes closed. Many journalists and endurance athletes have referred to my world run as the most difficult endurance challenge ever attempted. During my expedition I rarely had any support vehicles, running mostly with a backpack. In the more desolate areas I pushed my gear, food and water in a cart which I called Nirvana, then I sent her on ahead to run with my backpack once again over altitudes of almost 5,000 metres in the Andes. I stayed in remote villages where many people had never seen a white person before. I literally met the most wonderful people of this world in their own backyard and share many of those amazing experiences in this blog. My run around the world took 4 years. There were no short cuts, I ran every single metre on the road while seeking out the most comprehensive route across 41 countries, 5 continents, I used 50 pair of running shoes and my final footstep of the run was exactly 50,000 kilometres, (almost 31,000 miles) I eventually finished this tongue in cheek named world jog where I started, at the finish line of my city marathon. I started my global run with the Dublin Marathon on October 25th 2010 and finished with the Dublin Marathon on October 27th 2014 at 3 05pm! Thank you for your support, I hope you can share my unique way of seeing the world, the ultimate endurance challenge! Read more...

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