1,000km, 12 Days, 1 Woman: Natalie Dau Aims for Guinness World Record for the Fastest Crossing of Peninsular Malaysia on Foot

Malaysia, May 28, 2024 – Natalie Dau, ASICS athlete and nine-time ultramarathon champion, is set to embark on Project 1000, a groundbreaking solo run spanning 1,000km across Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. At 52 years, Natalie aims to inspire others with her remarkable feat, demonstrating the power of perseverance, determination, and the importance of female representation in the world of endurance sports.

Commencing on 25 May, from Hat Yai, Thailand, Natalie will lace up her SUPERBLASTTM and NOVABLASTTM shoes for an epic adventure, running two marathons (42.2km x 2) every day to complete the monumental distance in just 12 days. The run will culminate on 5 June, to coincide with Global Running Day, at The Westin Singapore, where Natalie will be joined by an expected turnout of 1,000 runners from various running groups, including ASICS Running Club, to complete the final leg of the journey together. The run is expected to qualify for the Guinness World Record for the Fastest Crossing of Peninsular Malaysia on Foot. To top it off, the run will also qualify for an entry in the Singapore Book of Records for the Fastest 1,000km Thailand-Singapore Ultramarathon.

Project 1000 is not just a physical challenge; it's a platform to raise awareness on the importance of movement and igniting positive change. ASICS State of Mind Study revealed a global gender exercise gap, with women exercising on average 40 minutes less a week than men. This suggests that there’s much to be done to ensure that every individual can reap the benefits of movement. Through her incredible journey, Natalie aims to shed light on this exercise gender gap and the challenges many females face in prioritising physical activity. Natalie will be contributing funds raised through Project 1000 to her charity partner GRLS, a part of Women Win, seeking to empower girls and women worldwide.

“The ASICS mantra, Sound Mind, Sound Body, resonates with me as a longtime athlete, and I believe everyone should have access to sports and movement. However, women often feel disempowered, with body image issues and fear of judgment as key barriers to exercise. As part of Project 1000, I’m excited to support GRLS, a part of Women Win, in their goal of empowering women and girls through exercise. This is a cause I’m passionate to champion, and I’m proud to do it with the support of ASICS, a brand that is determined to bridge the gender exercise gap and promote the joy of movement to everyone," shared Natalie.

In addition to advocating for gender equality in fitness, Project 1000 aims to promote the transformative power of sports and movement in both personal and professional development. By breaking down barriers and preconceived notions around the female body through education and physical activity, Natalie hopes to inspire individuals of all backgrounds to embrace the power of movement and overcome self-limiting beliefs. Indeed, research from ASICS highlights the empowering effect of movement: women who exercise regularly reported feeling 52% happier, 48% more confident, 50% more energized, 67% less stressed and 80% less frustrated. Together with ASICS, Natalie hopes for people to move their bodies and move their minds, for an energised and active life.

As she prepares for this game changing run, Natalie emphasises the importance of staying injury-free and maintaining optimal recovery to ensure success. ASICS will be closely supporting Natalie over the twelve days, by providing her with the necessary apparel and running gear to complete the run, as well as co-organising the celebrations at the finishing line with the ASICS Running Club. We are delighted to that our community of runners in ASICS Running Club across the region will also be present to provide Natalie with encouragement and support as she embarks on her monumental challenge.

To find out more about Natalie’s fitness journey and updates on Project 1000, follow her on Instagram at @rockstararms and ASICS Singapore at @asicssg, with #Project1000 and #Project1000Run.