Mediacorp Subaru Car Challenge 2018

Participants endured the heavy thunderstorms, and there were times when organizers called for time-out for concerns of safety. Be it rain or shine, family members and friends cheered them on. Many also supported the participants through an online game where they could win their participant-of-choice an additional five-minute break, for every six hours.

The Subaru Car Challenge ended off with a 12-time Singaporean participant, Analiza Mohktar, 40, as the overall winner, after clocking an impressive 75 hours, 17 minutes and 58 seconds. Battling sleep deprivation, hunger, and extreme weather conditions, Mohktar shared that it was an extremely tough moment for her as she felt unwell during the Challenge.

She added, “But I’ve always believed there is no room for excuses if I am serious about realising my dream. After 12 years of participating and coming in as first runner-up twice, it’s a bittersweet moment for me tonight – I’m really going to miss the Challenge.”

It was a close battle between Mokhtar and the first-runner up Phraitoon Sanguannam, 33, from Thailand, who dropped out at 75 hours and 17 minutes, just short of 58 seconds before her timing. Second runner-up Mazlinah Ahmad, 53, from Singapore dropped out at 74 hours and 35 minutes.

Sanguannam walked away with cash prizes totalling S$12,300 after winning the S$5,000 prize for first runner-up, S$5,000 for being Asian Winner (the last-standing regional contestant), S$1,000 for being Country Winner (the last-standing representative from his country), and an additional S$1,000 from his share of the Country Team Winner award. He also won an extra S$100 each time he surpassed the 24-hour, 48-hour and 72-hour marks.

The Thailand team was awarded the title of Country Team Winner and a cash prize of S$10,000, divided equally amongst the team of ten members, after participants achieved the longest combined standing time of 475 hours and 15 minutes.

“This year’s Subaru Car Challenge has seen both local and regional participants putting up a close fight – with each of them showcasing a strong front amidst very unpredictable weather changes,” said Mr Glenn Tan, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Tan Chong International Limited. “Analiza shared with me that she wanted to be an inspiration to her daughter, to never give up no matter what, and with sheer determination, nothing is impossible and you will succeed in any challenge you face. I am extremely inspired by Analiza’s victory, and share her joy in finally winning after 12 attempts.”

“Nothing about the Mediacorp Subaru Car Challenge is ever predictable, but this year we had persistent rain, two women among the final three standing, and ultimately a female winner – only the second in the history of the Challenge. It was an outstanding display of endurance and indomitable spirit,” said Ms Irene Lim, Chief Customer Officer, Mediacorp. “Congratulations to Analiza on her hard-won victory, 12 years in the making! We hope that she will enjoy her new wheels. At the same time, I want to thank every contestant and staff who has been working tirelessly, our partners, and of course our titular presenter Subaru.”

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