Natalie Dau, Singapore-based 10-time ultramarathon winner, is now confirmed to hold the Guinness World Records title for the “Fastest Crossing of Peninsular Malaysia on Foot.” Over a period of 8 days and 46 minutes, Natalie ran a total of 720 km from the northern border of Malaysia in Kelantan, following a route along the eastern coast of Malaysia, to the Johor Bahru Customs Point where Malaysia shares a border with Singapore.
Following the completion of her Project 1000 journey, Natalie’s application for the record title was submitted to the Guinness World Records team for official review and certification. More than 100 pieces of evidence including a complete journey log, maps with Strava GPS data, extensive photo and video records, signed witness statements, and hotel and meal receipts were provided as supporting documentation for the submission. Following the review, the Guinness World Records title has now been officially confirmed and granted.
Leading by example, at 52 years old, Natalie continues to push herself to new limits, inspiring others to have self-confidence and belief in the power of dreams. “I hope that people everywhere can feel that their dreams are important and are achievable, and won’t be held back by doubts or expectations of society and those around them. We are all capable of more than we realize, and we can do even more when we support one another,” shared Natalie.
In addition to her newly confirmed Guinness World Records title, Natalie was also recognized at the finish line by the Singapore Book of Records for the “Fastest 1000 km Thailand-Singapore Ultramarathon.”
Natalie’s broader Project 1000 began on 25 May in Hat Yai, Thailand, seeing her run an incredible 1000 km over the course of 12 days, which is equivalent to approximately 2 marathons (42.2 km x 2) per day. From Thailand, she then ran the entire length of Malaysia and completed the journey in Singapore on 5 June, which is Global Running Day. Local officials, students, supporters, and runners from communities in all three countries cheered for Natalie and joined her throughout the remarkable endeavour. Hundreds of runners came out to run with Natalie in Singapore on the final day, with crowds gathered to welcome her at the finish line and celebrate her achievement at The Westin Singapore.
No small achievement, Natalie’s run saw her facing adversity in the form of physical injury and ailments, extreme heat and exhaustion, dangerous road conditions, and wild dog chases. With dangerously high temperatures, she was operating on just a few hours of sleep in order to start running in the cooler early morning hours of the day, and yet she still found her shoes melting on the pavement and the support crew vans incapacitated by flat tyres.
Despite the challenges, Natalie insists, “Giving up was never an option. So many people were supporting me and invested in this project and I couldn’t let them down. The most beautiful thing was feeling the sense of unity and love from people in each of the communities we passed through, and meeting with students at local schools. Project 1000 was always about a dream to bring people together across cultures, and we truly saw the best of humanity. I am so thankful to everyone who has been part of this journey.”
With Project 1000, Natalie is supporting a cause she is most passionate about and is raising funds to support underprivileged women and girls, specifically aiming to bring awareness to the gender gap in exercise and the importance of physical movement for mental health and overall wellbeing. Funds raised through Project 1000 are contributed to GRLS, a global charity and part of Women Win, which works to elevate women and girls around the world through sport and exercise.
To make a donation in support of GRLS: https://www.gofundme.com/f/PROJECT1000RUN
