Photos are from Natalie Dau’s first Project 1000 attempt from Hat Yai to Singapore.

This March, ultra runner and adidas ambassador Natalie Dau will be attempt to ‘Break 8’. She will run across Peninsula Malaysia in under 8 days by completing an average of 105km per day. By doing so, she aims to set a new Guinness World Record whilst catalysing a new regional movement supporting women and girls.

Her previous attempts 

She ran 1,000 kilometres from Thailand to Singapore in 12 days, setting a Guinness World Record for the ‘Fastest Crossing of Peninsular Malaysia on Foot’ and a Singapore Book of Records title for the ‘Fastest 1000-kilometre Thailand–Singapore Ultramarathon’ in 2024.

Then in 2025, she ran the same distance and duration again from the top of Luzon into Manila in the Philippines. The 2026 edition is based on the earlier two iterations, transforming one woman’s run into a platform for community, charity and change.

The upcoming challenge 

The route mapped comprises of a loop around Peninsular Malaysia.

She starts her journey at Kubor, Kelantan and passes through Trengganu, Pahang and Johor, finishing her journey at the Johor Bahru customs checkpoint. She then crosses back into Singapore for a final, celebratory run currently planned for 15 March 2026 that supporters are welcome to join.

Key checkpoints for the upcoming challenge include:

• Finish at JB customs checkpoint (estimated: 14 March 2026) – a symbolic end to the Malaysian leg, open to supporters willing to brave border traffic to welcome her home.
• Singapore finish line (15 March 2026, registration at 7:30am) – a community run hosted at The Westin Singapore. Participants can join Natalie for an easy 5km or 10km run or walk. This will be followed by a behind-the-scenes sharing session with the team, refreshments and giveaways, to celebrate the conclusion of her Breaking 8 challenge. 

Her crew

Natalie will have her crew supporting her so that she only needs to focus on the running. adidas Runners Singapore coach Arthur Tong plays the role of crew lead, cycling alongside Natalie to keep her on course and safe. 

Health and performance specialist Mei Yeong and social media and PR lead Esther Wong will monitor the hydration and nutrition aspects of this project. She will also be providing live updates to the public from the support van. 

Jaems Chua will be leading the film and photography team to capture the entire attempt. Natalie’s husband and daughter, Matthew and Lilliana France, will also join her as part of the support team for her first two days.

What she must do 

To ‘Break 8’, Natalie must average 105km per day over eight consecutive days, running 15–16 hours daily in a structured run–walk rhythm. 

Behind the scenes, the Guinness World Records process is almost as demanding as the distance. A 30?page briefing sets out strict criteria. This includes a no-pacing rule where no one may run in front of her. The crew must either stay behind her or support from a bike.

How to follow her

Supporters can follow Natalie’s record attempt and get behind the cause in real time via Instagram. This is to be her primary source for updates, behind-the-scenes content, live chats with the crew, reposts from the running community and the link to the live tracker.

For updates, follow Natalie Dau (@nataliedau) and adidas Singapore (@adidasSG) on Instagram.