The Chapman’s Challenge, held annually at the exquisite Pangkor Laut Resort’s private island in Malaysia, is set to take place from August 25 to 27, 2023. With up to 70 participants expected to compete, the much-beloved trail run promises to be an exciting race with top honours at stake, including a unique timepiece from NORQAIN, the Chapman’s Challenge 2023 Official Timekeeper. NORQAIN, an independent Swiss watch brand renowned for its innovative approach, will feature prominently throughout the race.
The Chapman’s Challenge remains an alluring event, commemorating the remarkable feat of the late British Colonel Freddy Spencer Chapman, who, in 1945, crossed enemy lines and swam across Emerald Bay, a cove on the island, to safety after hiding from the Japanese army for more than three years. The race, which comprises a 3.8km road run around the island and a 2.4km trek through the island’s untouched rainforest, culminates in a 1km swim in the sea off Emerald Bay concluding on the beach at Chapman’s Bar, at Pangkor Laut Resort.
In the evening, participants will gather at Chapman’s Bar for cocktails before enjoying a sumptuous barbeque dinner and the prize-giving ceremony at Emerald Bay. The top five finishers’ times will be immortalised on a scoreboard at Chapman’s Bar, with the top three racers in each category winning an exciting stay at luxurious properties within the YTL Hotels global portfolio. The overall winner will be awarded a 42mm NORQAIN’s Wild ONE Khaki The Chapman’s Challenge 2023 timepiece, valued at MYR24,980 (approx. AUD$7,920). This unique watch features a special printed Pangkor Laut Resort logo on the sapphire crystal case back and is from NORQAIN’s Independence Wild ONE collection, chosen for its close connection to Colonel Freddy Spencer Chapman’s indomitable spirit. The timepiece’s case is robust with a shock-resistance withstanding 5,000Gs and is the proven companion for those who demand a high-performance sports watch, built with a NORTEQ case that acts as a protective cage, with rubber shock absorbers that protect the Manufacture Calibre NN20/01.
To further celebrate this unique timekeeping collaboration with The Chapman’s Challenge 2023, NORQAIN – together with Pangkor Laut Resort – has announced a limited edition “The Chapman’s Challenge” timepiece series. Only 15 pieces will be made, exclusively for pre-order and exclusively for The Chapman’s Challenge 2023 participants. Based on NORQAIN’s Independence 40mm timepiece, the unique hand-scratched dial features a colour inspired by the emerald straits of Pangkor Laut Resort. The timepiece is equipped with The Chapman’s Challenge 2023 inscription and the Pangkor Laut Resort logo is featured on the sapphire case back. The watch can be personalised with a custom message on the NORQAIN Plate located on the left side of the case, serving as a reminder of the treasured moments and treasured places where the watch owners ran the race of their lives in Colonel Freddy Spencer Chapman’s footsteps.
The Chapman’s Challenge Weekend package is a three-day, two-night stay for two starting from MYR2,600++ per villa (approx. AUD $825++ per villa). The package includes daily breakfast, lunch and dinner at selected restaurants, as well as entry to The Chapman’s Challenge 2023. On the event day, guests can enjoy post-race refreshments at Chapman’s Bar, pre-dinner cocktails, and a beach barbecue dinner at Emerald Bay.
