They’ve also participated in hashing (fun runs) globally, marathons, hikes and jungle treks across mountainous terrains in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
In 2001, they teamed up to trek across Penang island from Teluk Bahang to Gertak Sanggul to lay the route for a hash walk.
But the greatest joy these two octogenarians shared recently was jointly celebrating their birthdays hosted by the Evergreen Hash Walkers at the Bibichik Restaurant in Petaling Jaya.
Long-time buddies Adnan Osman and Brig-Gen (Rtd) Soon Lian Cheng turned 80 and 81 years old on Nov 7 and 9, respectively.
Former Royal Military College teacher Adnan, who in 1963 graduated from the Brinsford Lodge College, England described reaching 80 as a milestone, saying every day was a bonus to him.
“Not many have survived to live to such an age. I have to thank the good Lord Almighty that I’m still breathing, in control of my senses, physically mobile and not dependent on others,” he said.
Adnan has been a physically active person throughout his life. In 2004, he attempted to cycle from Kuala Lumpur to China for the Beijing Olympics and he successfully cycled to England for the 2012 London Olympics.
In 2009, he ran the gruelling sand marathon called Marathon des Sables at the Sahara Desert in Morocco. He was 66 years old.
“I have lived a very contented life and discovered that one need not require much money at a senior age. What we need is a good circle of friends. I tend to forgive and forget, with many of my ‘enemies’ having passed on,” said Adnan, adding that family and friends meant a lot to him in his twilight years.
Meanwhile, Soon said he felt blessed to have survived the rough and tough times of his life to reach his 81st birthday.
“I just cannot imagine that time has slipped by so fast, and how very much things have changed. Technology and progress have made tremendous leaps and bounds,” he said, recollecting his simple childhood in Kluang, Johor, where he was born just before the Japanese invasion.
“I grew up in a house with no electricity or piped water. We depended on kerosene lamps and a well for drinking water. We utilised an open toilet where the ‘night soil’ attendant collected the human waste to be recycled as fertiliser for the vegetable gardens.”
He said his biggest challenge today was to remain healthy. “To me, every day is a living celebration. I believe it is important to be cheerful and fit,” he said, adding that staying connected with friends, attending reunions and pursuing sporting activities like golfing and hashing kept him busy.
“Being fully occupied with regular events and travelling has taken my mind off unwanted stress that can eventually kill you,” said Soon, who retired from the Royal Malaysian Air Force in 1996 after 35 years of service.
He remarked how happy he was to be able to socialise freely once again after the two-year Covid-19 pandemic, which affected his mental health and physical fitness.
“I already have planned my global travels to go hashing and attend reunions. There are many trips lined up like the Inter-Hash run in 2024 in New Zealand, where I will be reunited with my air force course mates.
Soon was among the two pioneer RMAF pilots (including his late brother-in-law Flight Lieutenant Buang Ahmad) who trained with the Royal New Zealand Air Force at Wigram, Christchurch in 1962.
Soon said that he became acquainted with Adnan over 40 years ago. “At that time, I was frequently engaged in flying operations over the mountainous jungle terrain in East Malaysia.”
He said he took up the challenge to scale Mount Kinabalu as well as other mountains in 1973, mostly to familiarise himself with the terrain should an air disaster strike.
“I encouraged my charges under me to follow suit, as it was good grounding for the search and rescue teams,” said Soon, who served as RMAF Inspector-General, deputy commander at Headquarters Integrated Air Defence System in Butterworth, Penang, and commandant of the Armed Forces Defence College.
He was instrumental in introducing the RMAF Half Marathon in 1988 and the General Soon Trophy for the RMAF versus Sarawak annual cricket series.
Among those who attended the birthday reception were Ho Wah Ying @ Dragon Ho, 82; Margaret Lim, 85; event organiser Steve Sivan, Evergreen Hash Walkers leader Peter Leong and renowned paraplegic biotechnologist Dr Billy Tang Chee Seng.