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***Forty participants, four districts, 400 kilometres in conjunction with Brunei’s 40th National Day*** When I first heard about Zulkefli bin Abdullah Yumbah, I was intrigued. He came to my attention through a recommendation from a contact who spoke of a local man undertaking a remarkable journey: walking across the Sultanate’s four districts to mark the country’s 40th national day this year. ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/EjAvKm2VobY5C_6_qtSUd-8r1RhnCYaoM5WpzRZQvIH.jpeg) Zulkefli bin Abdullah Yumbah in an interview. PHOTO: WARDI WASIL “Four districts, 40 participants (hopefully), and 400 kilometres (km) – I want to make it a true expedition,” said the 46-year-old as we sat on the veranda of his brother’s house in Kampong Bebuloh, where he and his seven siblings take turns caring for their ailing mother. The youngest of seven siblings, Zulkefli exuded warmth and humility in his demeanour. He spoke gently, yet with a spritely energy that masked the fact that he had recently recovered from a bout of tuberculosis. **No guts no glory** The father of six always had a fondness for sports, rooted in an active childhood that involved scaling trees to harvest fruit. While football was the quintessential childhood pursuit for many Bruneian boys, he acknowledged the difficulty of sustaining it as a hobby in adulthood. His exploration of diverse sports began after retiring from the Royal Brunei Air Force in his early thirties. Between job hunting and attending entrepreneurship courses, he sought solace in various recreational activities. ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/ZCZ2EaQqcyLwwUSfBG4AG-XDnAvnTGTLp796MxjknUF.jpeg) Zulkefli during his first trek in 2016, walking across three districts in Brunei. PHOTO: ZULKEFLI YUMBAH From trail running to kayaking and even competitive tree climbing, the horizon seemed boundless in the quest to find the perfect sport he could comfortably pursue. Admittedly, his physical prowess had its limitations, but that never dampened his enthusiasm. “I gave running a shot, but my stamina and mental fortitude fell short. So, I shifted gears to trail running, thinking that the natural setting would ignite my passion.” He then committed himself to participating in an international meet, setting the goal of a 68km competition in Perak, Malaysia, to fuel his progress. “However, just a few months before the actual event, I sustained a lower back injury during training, forcing me to withdraw. “I vividly recall the disappointment of selling my spot and giving away my running bib.” There was another attempt in his early 40s – a 100km marathon in Sabah. Yet, history repeated itself, with Zulkefli once again bowing out due to an injury. “I just wanted to test my mettle in competition, but it never happened. I felt the urge to give up, but then I thought perhaps it just wasn’t my time.” **The first step** Dejected from several failed attempts, Zulkefli took a moment to deeply reflect on his desires of adopting a new sport or fitness activity which was essentially, to test his physical limits and challenge himself. Ultimately, he grew weary of allowing his weaknesses to dictate his aspirations. “I realised that, since I’m not proficient at running and often prone to injuries, I decided to focus on walking, particularly brisk walking.” At this point in time and having engaged in various recreational pursuits, the retired military personnel discovered a fellowship of fitness enthusiasts in Brunei. This community, he shared, was a valuable source of opinions and guidance for him as he contemplated his next big endeavour. “The idea was to walk across Brunei Darussalam, not for a run but a continuous walk – something that, to my knowledge, hadn’t been done before.” So, in October 2016, he began training three times a week with the aid of his peers to prepare for this unique challenge. When the day finally arrived, the same year, he set out on a relentless trek commencing from the Menara Cendera Kenangan in Kuala Belait and ended at Muara Beach. Zulkefli unfortunately endured injuries along the way. Despite persistent pain in his lower back and thighs, along with severe blisters on his feet, he persevered, taking necessary breaks and only resuming when he felt physically capable. Tutong District proved to be an eventful leg of the journey, he shared, marked by considerable support from other local fitness enthusiasts, who had heard of his excursion through word of mouth. “Along the route, individuals joined me for short stretches, including runners and trail runners.” It did however add a layer of pressure, admitted Zulkefli, but the fear of letting others down became a driving force that compelled him to persevere. He then expressed gratitude for his support group at the time, highlighting their role in escorting him along the road and providing essential resources at various stops. “It was my first time attempting such a challenge, and I learned on the go, adjusting my timing, pace, and breaks. I only slept once at the entrance of Tungku Beach, because I was worried about finishing the walk”. But finish he did, covering three districts in a remarkable two days and two nights, totalling an impressive 129km. **A bump in the road** Building on the success of his initial expedition in 2016, Zulkefli embarked on an even more ambitious journey three years later. This time, he traversed four districts, concluding at Batang Duri in Temburong District. The second attempt covered a distance of 137km, without the aid of any support. Despite facing harsher injuries, akin to the first expedition, he tenaciously persevered. Already riding high on the achievements of his impressive walking feats, Zulkefli found himself on cloud nine. Fuelled by the desire to surpass his previous milestones, he yearned to walk farther than ever before. While his excursions thus far have been one-way, his ultimate aspiration involves completing a loop of the Sultanate, concluding at the very point where he began. The years following his second excursion however proved more tumultuous than anticipated for the now grandfather of two. From 2020 to 2023, circumstances took a darker turn as Zulkefli had to endure two bouts of COVID. He managed to recover on both occasions, yet the toll on his physical well-being was undeniable. “I tried to engage in activities, but I ended up coughing until I saw blood. It left me frustrated. I couldn’t accomplish what I had set out to achieve, especially my final leg.” In early 2022, he earnestly attempted training, hoping to organise his third expedition the following year. However, reality dealt him a harsh blow as persistent fatigue became his unwelcome companion. Yielding to his wife’s insistence, he found himself in the hospital, where a diagnosis of tuberculosis was pronounced. The lung infection held him captive for a gruelling three months, leaving lingering effects that cast a shadow over his life. “I felt disheartened, of course. The doctor told me that it was going to be a lengthy recovery, up to three years, and due to the impact on my lungs, I was advised to dial back on my fitness activities, avoiding anything too strenuous,” he explained. However, for Zulkefli, a true athlete at heart, accepting this was never an option. Upon his release from the hospital, he hit the asphalt immediately. “Friends and family were genuinely upset with me, questioning my decision to pursue the expedition given my condition. But I’m quite stubborn.” **A walk to remember** Now, Zulkefli appears much healthier, a stark contrast to the “skin and bones” state he endured when he was ill. He’s more energised than ever, gearing up for the 400km walk in celebration of the 40th National Day. Zulkefli has meticulously planned the route to achieve the 400km mark, spanning from February 12 to 23, with the aim of concluding the expedition at the National Day celebrations. This time, he has extended invitations to 39 other participants, aiming to spotlight the new generation of Bruneian fitness and adventure enthusiasts actively challenging themselves, whether locally or internationally. “I firmly believe that they bring pride to our country, securing podium positions and achieving remarkable feats, some even venturing to corners of the world, like the North Pole. “In the fitness community, many of us tend to keep our accomplishments to ourselves, treating these challenges as personal milestones. “Reflecting on these remarkable individuals and contemplating this upcoming 400km expedition, I can’t help but wonder if it could serve as an invitation and a platform to showcase their achievements, demonstrating to the nation what we are truly capable of.” – Wardi Wasil

Segala Brunei→banar banar semua ada bah!⤴︎

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