Project 1000 - Across Culture and Age, We're All The Same at Heart: Natalie Dau
- Hana Basir
- 11 hours ago
- 4 min read
Set to embark on her second Project 1000, Natalie Dau spoke to Sportplus.sg on touching communities and what inspired her to take on the gruelling run one more time
It was in a van, stuck in heavy traffic on our way into Bangkok last September, when Natalie Dau first broke the news to the SportPlus team that she’d be embarking on another 1,000km run in April. Gasps filled the van, confirming the fact that we all collectively thought the same thing.
There’s no way we heard that right.
That was just three months after we watched her complete her first Project 1000, a record-breaking run that took her and her team from Hat Yai, Thailand, across the Malaysian Peninsula and into Singapore. It was a trek that included a gruelling two marathons a day for 12 days.
Now, Natalie and her team—which includes a few new faces—are set to leave for the Philippines tomorrow, where they will begin their journey in Santa Ana, through cities like Laoag, Vigan, Baguio, Tarlac and Angeles, before crossing the finish line at Triangle Drive, BGC’s Jollibee outlet in Manila 12 days later.
This time, the biggest push for Natalie is reaching out and touching the hearts of those she’ll come across, contributing to the very people who have unknowingly inspired Natalie to always look for the light even in the darkest of times.
“It’s about interacting with the community and finding their reasons for inspiration and why joining this run is important and personal to them. It’s digging into those stories, understanding that across culture, age, it doesn't matter. We’re all the same at heart. We all have dreams and goals,” shared the ultra-marathoner with Sportplus.sg.
“Sometimes, we just need that bit of inspiration to get us moving and believing in ourselves again. Hopefully, I can spread a bit of that magic to people this time around. That’s what I hope to leave behind.”
As she painstakingly made her way across the Malaysian Peninsula in May last year, Natalie made several visits to schools, and raised funds for GRLS, a global charity and part of Women Win, which works to elevate women and girls around the world through sport and exercise.
At the time, the team was also chasing a Guinness World Record for the fastest crossing of the Malay Peninsula on foot—an ambitious goal they ultimately achieved.
Without a goal to break any records this year, Natalie and her team’s biggest goal is to zero in on giving back and sharing the experience with communities.
“Legacy is such a strong word but no, I had no idea of the impact that me going off and doing a crazy run would have on people’s lives and still have on this day forward. It’s quite overwhelming when I think about it and it’s extremely humbling,” she shared of the impact of her first Project 1000.
“I didn't realise that community and giving back would become the most important thing I would get out of the first time we did the run. That’s really what tipped me over to do this second one.”
Creating an impact for women and girls in sport has always been one of Natalie’s biggest loves. While last year’s Head of Operations and Natalie’s reliable right-hand, Arthur Tong, along with media crew member Jaems Chua are set to return to the lineup, they’ll be joined by several new faces, with the intent of shaping the team to become a more female-led force.
A close friend of Natalie’s, Sandy Go, will be flying in from San Francisco to support her throughout the journey. Sandy will be in charge of keeping Natalie fed, hydrated, and well cared for—following every detail needed to ensure her welfare. Well-loved runner within the local running community, Esther Wong will also join the team, taking over Natalie’s Instagram to keep everyone updated on her progress in real-time through social media.
“I watched her documentary and was moved to tears. There’s something about the way Nat shows up fully, fearlessly, and with so much heart. She’s the human version of mind over body. Running 1000km in 12 days isn’t just about physical endurance, it’s also proof of what’s possible when you commit to something—choosing to begin, even when it’s scary,” wrote Esther in an Instagram post.
In the final stretch, Elaine Young will step in for the last four days to help bring Natalie across the finish line. A true force of nature in triathlon, Elaine—alongside her husband Arthur—has been instrumental in Natalie’s preparation for Project 1000. Remarkably, Elaine is jumping in just 12 weeks after giving birth to a baby boy.
“To have like-minded women support me means everything. My mum and my daughter will also be there the last couple of days and to share this experience with all of them is extremely special. That’s what it’s all about—inspiring young girls and women to go and follow their dreams,” gushed Natalie of her support system.
Even at peak fitness last year, the run from Hat Yai to The Westin in Singapore proved to be an immense challenge for the then 52-year-old Natalie. This time, the road ahead looks even tougher, as she contends with Plantar Fasciitis and a sore knee.
“For me, my personal goal is to finish it. I’m coming in injured this time. I haven't been able to hit my training goals because of my injuries,” she explained.
“Really, it’s playing it smart this time and just taking it in 10km chunks or day by day and finishing safely. We’re not going for a record this time. We’re really about community and giving back. My number one goal is to cross that finish line at 5pm, 2nd May at Jollibee at Triangle Road at BGC and hopefully share that experience with as many people as I can along the way.”
If you wish to follow Natalie and her team's journey across the Philippines or send them your support, visit their Instagram here or the Project 1000 website. #Project1000 #NatalieDau #Believe