SINGAPORE — One is a research engineer at DSO Laboratories. Another lectures at the University of Newcastle. The other two are an associate professor at the Department of Building at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and a general practitioner (GP).

But Ong Kai Wei, Tan Juay Seng, Kua Harn Wei and Tan Poh Kiang also share a common passion: Endurance racing.

From ultramarathons, triathlons, and Ironman races, each member of the quartet has been there and done that, over and over again.

But their penchant for putting their bodies through tough and punishing conditions and overcoming physical challenges, should come as no surprise. According to a recent Wired magazine report, people who do research work appear to have a propensity for “long, hard, miserable athletic endeavours”.

Physicist and ultramarathoner Brett Maune, one of 16 scientists interviewed by the business, technology and lifestyle monthly, said there is “a connection between academic degree and the degree of athletic activity someone is willing to endure”.

“It takes a lot of effort, a lot of focus, and there’s a lot of pain and suffering that goes on in a PhD,” he said. “If you make it through the process ... it’s a signal you can have a long-term focus on a problem and see it through to the end.”

It is a sentiment our four Singapore scientists share. As 45-year-old Kua told TODAY: “Preparing for an ultramarathon or an ultra-triathlon requires a very systematic approach.

“The groundwork needs to be put in place and followed step by step. For example, in triathlons, you need to co-optimise the three parts of the race (running, cycling or swimming), without compromising on the performance levels of any of them, so we need to find a balance.

“All this is comparable to what we have to do when we’re studying for our PhDs. We need to make plans — and implement them — when doing our research papers, learn to multi-task and approach our studies in a holistic manner.”

Another key attribute to being a successful endurance racer? Patience, which Ong said is also needed in great quantities in his work as a research engineer. “You require a lot of mental strength as the problem-solving process usually takes a long time,” explained the 41-year-old. “You need that same patience to complete an ultramarathon because it requires long hours of running. Also, just like I’m always looking for new challenges in my research work, I’m also always seeking new experiences in ultra-running, like longer distances, tougher routes.”

Juay Seng, whose background is in spinal biomechanics research, also sees parallels between the hours spent decoding and analysing data, figures and algorithms on computers and the process of completing an endurance race.

One’s attitude is the most important, and a similar determination is needed in both, he observed. “I treat ultra-running in the same way that I approach the different parts of my life, be it my family, my work, or previously when I was studying for my PhD,” said the 45-year-old, who teaches mechanical engineering.

“There will always be ups and downs in life, but our attitudes go a long way towards determining whether we can overcome them. Likewise, there will be good and bad times in running, but if we become negative during the rough patches, we won’t be able to finish the race.

“So we will need perseverance to keep pushing ourselves in order to reach the finish line.”

Poh Kiang, who runs a GP clinic at Bukit Ho Swee, agreed: “Things can get pretty repetitive in my work, because how many patients do I see each day that will present a rare challenge? So I make it a point to see the uniqueness in each patient in order to keep things fresh.

“Likewise, training for an ultra-race can be tedious but I’ve used what I learnt at work to help keep the novelty of each race fresh, to get me past the boredom. The focus in both cases is very much about the end point. Sometimes that means sucking up our pride, and being humble enough to get support if we want to reach that finish line.”

But while their work and academic experiences have benefited them in their endurance pursuits, the reverse is also true: Running and training outdoors helps to break the monotony of being in a room all day, and gives their brains a break.

“You get into a zone where your mind is not in problem-solving mode, and you enjoy the outdoors because the sounds, smells, and sights are different from the office,” said Poh Kiang, a father of two. “It’s almost like meditation.”

Kua added that endurance training reinvigorates him, which makes him perform better at work. “When we’re pushing our bodies during competitions, it’s not relaxing at all. But it’s the daily effort to get out on the road that takes my mind off what I do in the lab or office,” said Kua. “I always feel refreshed after my runs and concentrate better on my work.”

Added Juay Seng: “I have lots of energy every day and I don’t feel lethargic easily. I’m 45, one of the older people in my university, but I’m one of the more active ones in the group. Also, I use my achievements in ultra-running to inspire my students and others to lead a healthy lifestyle. I believe that I’ve been able to positively influence some of them already.”

SOME MAJOR EVENTS OUR SCIENTISTS HAVE TAKEN PART IN:

Ong Kai Wei: 217km Badwater Ultramarathon (2013), 245km Spartathlon (2014)

Kua Harn Wei: Deca Ironman (2006), Ultra Triathlon World Championships (2016)

Tan Poh Kiang: 100km Sundown Ultramarathon (2011), Craze Ultra 100 miles (2016)

Tan Juay Seng: Craze Ultra 100 miles (2013), Monster ultra 200km (2016)