Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – February 13, 2017: The Chapman's Challenge 2017 – a unique biathlon experience at Pangkor Laut Resort returns for its second year, with its race day on 13th May 2017; exactly 72 years after Colonel Spencer Chapman escaped. The Chapman's Challenge, crafted to commemorate the British commando's adventure on the island, is an annual race comprising of a 6.2km run around the private island's roadways and through the two million year-old rainforest, including a 1km swim out at the award-winning Emerald Bay before concluding at Chapman's Bar.

Colonel Spencer Chapman spent 3½ years in hiding from the occupying Japanese army during World War II in the wild jungles of Malaya. On 13th May 1945, he made his last escape from Emerald Bay at Pangkor Laut with his compatriot, Major R. Broome. They swam 45m out to sea in the dark of night to be rescued by the Royal Navy submarine, HMS Statesman. Christopher Spencer Chapman, our guest-of-honour and the youngest son of the late Colonel Spencer Chapman, will flag off the participants for The Chapman's Challenge 2017.

Pangkor Laut Resort has welcomed international and local Malaysian participants last year for the inaugural race, including professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts. It was a memorable and inspiring weekend as groups of friends and couples spent the weekend completing the race, strengthening old bonds and forging new friendships. Memorable moments from the event were captured in the video.

Registration for The Chapman's Challenge is now available online at http://pangkorlautresort.com/the-chapmans-challenge-offer.html through a full board package starting from MYR943++ nett per room per night. A minimum stay of two nights inclusive of 12th and 13th May 2017 is required to participate in the race. The package inclusions are return scheduled speedboat transfers, accommodation in preferred villa type, daily meals, two entries to the race day on 13th May 2017, post-race cocktails or mocktails, and post-race barbecue dinner at Emerald Bay for two adults. Every participant will also receive a goody bag courtesy of YTL Hotels and esteemed partners. The top three winners stand to win exciting stays at luxury properties within YTL Hotels' global portfolio.

###

About Pangkor Laut Resort
Pangkor Laut Resort is an exclusive luxury resort situated on a private island off the west coast of Malaysia. Here, you will find no other resort – just secluded bays curled around pristine beaches, evening skies woven with colour, and a deep sense of serenity reserved exclusively for our guests. Only a fraction of the island's 300 acres have been developed to house 140 luxury villas and suites, including 8 exclusive estates and the award-winning Spa Village Pangkor Laut. Declared a paradise by the late Luciano Pavarotti and previously voted 'Number One in the World' by Condé Nast Traveller; here, wooden buildings blend seamlessly into the 2 million year-old rainforest, walls curve around foliage, and roofs open up to allow trees to continue on their journey to the sky. This is the privilege of Pangkor Laut. www.pangkorlautresort.com

Facebook : www.facebook.com/pangkorlautresort  
Instagram : www.instagram.com/pangkorlautresort 

About YTL Hotels
YTL Hotels owns and manages a prestigious collection of award-winning resorts, hotels, boutique experiences and Spa Villages with a hospitality footprint across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Japan, Australia, France and the United Kingdom, including Pangkor Laut Resort, voted the world's best resort in 2003 by Condé Nast Traveller UK. The group also co-owns the Eastern & Oriental Express luxury train. The Gainsborough Bath Spa, the only hotel in Bath to be part of the Leading Hotels of the World's collection of legendary hotels, was named one of the Top 10 Hotel Spas in Europe. Set in the heart of Bath, a World Heritage Site, this unique heritage gem exclusively offers the only natural thermal spa within a hotel in the United Kingdom.

YTL Hotels' global expansion celebrates its decades long relationship with Marriott International through the ownership management of Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel, Brisbane Marriott Hotel, Melbourne Marriott Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur and JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur and recently includes The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur, The Glasshouse Hotel - Edinburgh and Threadneedles Hotel – London in affiliation with the brand's Autograph Collection. The partnership also encompasses the future development of The Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui in Thailand and the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve that will complement YTL Hotels' overall master plan for Niseko Village in Japan.

With each new experience that it presents, the company strives to embrace and highlight the natural essence of culture, character and tradition of its surroundings. YTL Hotels is the hospitality arm of YTL Corporation Berhad. Visit www.ytlhotels.com for more information and follow us on our social media platforms for #TreasuredPlaces #TreasuredMoments

Facebook : www.facebook.com/ytlhotels  
Instagram : www.instagram.com/ytlhotels  
Twitter : www.twitter.com/ytlhotels  
YouTube : www.youtube.com/user/ytlhotels 

For Media Enquiries:

Mr Luke Hurford
Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Email: lhurford@ytlhotels.com.my

Ms Geraldine Dreiser
Vice President of Marketing & Communications
Email: geraldine@ytlhotels.com.my