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A bit of a jog and a ride in the park is not for Dr Shaun Toh of Southpaws in Malvern, Victoria. He prefers endurance running and cycling.
“The bike-riding events I enter are usually for distances between 100 and 140 kilometres. I train with friends on the weekends and we often go for a relaxing 100-kilometre ride. The route is pre-planned and usually takes about three to four hours. I have a lightweight carbon racing bike that’s fantastic to ride. It was expensive to purchase but maintenance is pretty cheap provided nothing goes wrong. I just have to ensure I don’t crash while riding it.
“I grew up in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and that’s where my love of sports started. I played basketball and loved handball that’s played on a hardwood court. After I moved to Australia, I was very involved with bouldering but I suffered quite a few wrist injuries. I had no choice but to pivot so I could keep performing surgery.
“I began running with friends. We started with five-kilometre runs but being competitive, that distance rapidly increased. I kind of caught the bug and started endurance running. My preferred distances are half-marathons and full marathons of 42 kilometres. I’ve always enjoyed swimming and over the next few years, I plan to start training seriously. My goal is to eventually compete in ironman competitions.
“In September 2026, I’m taking part in a 122-kilometre bike ride called Amy’s Gran Fondo. It’s in remembrance of Amy Gillett, an elite cyclist who lost her life while training with the Australian Women’s Cycling Team in Germany. She used to train on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria and that’s where the race takes place. Amy’s Foundation has a mission to make cycling safer in Australia by separating road users with law, technology and infrastructure.
“In Australia, there are some very elite cyclists, both amateur and professional, so there’s never any chance of winning an event. There is, however, the opportunity of beating your personal time goal. For Amy’s Gran Fondo and a few other races in October, my mission is to finish the races in the top 25 per cent. That would be very satisfying.
“Running and cycling are great ways to improve and maintain your health. There’s also the competitive side of me that wants to see the numbers keep improving. I love it when I beat a personal best. It’s also a fantastic way to maintain mental health. Training, whether it’s on the treadmill or indoor bike, is a calming experience that lets me unwind. One of my favourite activities is undertaking maintenance on my bike. It’s almost like a meditation. That’s my happy place.”
