From Indonesia to Malaysia, Pasak Bumi or Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma Longifolia) is used traditionally for centuries in Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan and across Peninsular Malaysia – mainly as a testosterone and energy boost, but its recent use as a sports supplement has attracted many running communities and recreational athletes due to its reported benefits on stamina, endurance and post-training recovery.
Historically, native Javanese and Sumatrans walked tirelessly through misty highlands for hours, guided by tradition and their endurance is often backed by ancient natural remedies to boost energy. That places Tongkat Ali a rather special herb as an energy-boosting drink (or jamu) in replacement of energy gels that are more commonly used in modern times.
Both Indonesian and Malaysian Tongkat Ali are both popular in the US amongst functional health coaches and medical professionals. Top neuroscientist Dr. Huberman uses Indonesian Tongkat Ali to boost his testosterone, mood and general health.
Reviewer Profile
Dhana’s journey into running didn’t begin with performance specifically in mind. In 2017, after an embarrassing moment related to his weight, he took up running to regain control of his health and confidence. He lost an impressive 20kg after clocking in 20 to 30km every week, fell in love with the sport eventually, and recently transitioned into trail running in early 2023.
After relocating from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur in 2022 to help expand his agency’s regional operations, Dhana quickly immersed himself into the local running community.
There, he discovered AKARALI, a globally trusted Tongkat Ali brand through Alimin, a recreational athlete who has been using it to boost his running performance for about half a year now – after disappointing experiences with other brands such as Solaray. He eventually met with AKARALI’s team to learn more about the science-backed ingredient, its manufacturing processes and extraction technology behind the standardised Tongkat Ali hot water root extract, eager to test it in a marathon race.
AKARALI’s Global Community Partnership Lead, Alex Kua, commented that he reported a substantial growth of seasoned and recreational athletes in the UK and US, including new runners consuming clinically-tested standardized Tongkat Ali supplements compared to 200:1 Tongkat Ali supplements in recent years due to growing clinical evidence.
“Beyond just the evidence of human clinical studies, it is amazing to see the benefits of Tongkat Ali work in real-world performance situations like with Dhana. Clinically-proven ingredients have higher potency and it is great working with runners on the ground as they are able to measure granular performance metrics in real time at races or even during training.”
We found some amazing results when reviewing Dhana’s progress after taking Tongkat Ali (combined with regular cardio runs). Let’s check out some his substantial improvement in time, and speed.
Performance Insights
Dhana’s previous best for a half marathon was 2 hours 3 minutes 25 seconds, recorded at the Score HM 2024 on July 21, 2024, in Putrajaya. During that race, he covered 21.17 km with an average pace of 5:51/km, and maintaining an average heart rate of 181 bpm over an elevation gain of 154 m.
His splits showed initial strength with paces around 5:25-5:40/km in the early kilometres, but a noticeable fade after the 10 km mark, with later splits climbing to 6:00-6:45/km, reflecting a standard deviation in pace of 0.41 min/km – indicating variability and potential fatigue towards the end of the race.
“That was actually the first time I tried AKARALI. I had been projecting a sub-2 finish for a while, so I trained hard and stayed focused - but I do feel AKARALI played a role in helping me maintain stamina and stay calm throughout the race.”
His final half-marathon time for KLHalf 2025 showed 1 hour 57 minutes 50 seconds – an impressive 5-minute 35-second improvement over a period of less than 6 weeks.
Deep dive analysis of Tongkat Ali’s effect on endurance performance (backed with proper training before the race) showed that he covered 21.54 km with a faster average pace of 5:36/km at an elevation gain of 160m, similar to the previous year’s half marathon.
In addition, we found that his average heart rate dropped to approximately 169 bpm (calculated from splits), a reduction of about 12 bpm compared to his 2024 performance, suggesting improved efficiency, reduced strain to potential reduction in cortisol (stress hormone) despite the faster pace.
Breaking down his run showed greater consistency based on his split-time, with paces mostly between 5:30-5:50/km and a strong negative split finish (accelerating to 5:00/km in the final kilometre and 4:46/km in the last 0.54 km), resulting in a reduction compared to his 2024 half marathon performance.
While Sumatra Tongkat Ali, Java Tongkat Ali or many other Indonesian and Malaysian Tongkat Ali are considered an affordable option to US consumers, AKARALI’s standardized hot water root extracts are formulated for high performance, making it potent for recreational, semi-pro and elite athletes.
Single- sourced from wild-harvested mature yellow Tongkat Ali roots, AKARALI uses a proprietary, standardised hot-water extraction method that preserves higher percentage of bioactive compounds and minerals, including high concentration of eurycomanone and eurypeptides.
According to the New World Report, AKARALI’s signature capsules are dose-optimised at 200mg per capsule, backed by over 27 clinical studies and 3rd party lab tested by EUROFINS. The addition of it being performance tested by athletes showed greater potency in real world test results, making it an effective a natural testosterone boost by up to 581% when paired with multivitamins.
Based on feedback across sports communities in the UK and customer reviews from TrustPilot, users of Tongkat Ali showed general energy boost for athletes, and works effective for stress modulation for mildly stressed individuals, contributing to faster recovery and cardio performance.
For seasoned runners like Dhana and other recreational athletes, these benefits aren’t just theoretical; they translate into measurable performance gains on races, track and field – as evidenced by semi-pro British athlete (Khadafi Javeed) and the comparative data points from his two half-marathon races:
Additional metrics highlight the post-supplementation Tongkat Ali improvements, according to the data Dhana has provided. For instance, his 20K time dropped from 1:56:07 (at a 5:48/km pace) to 1:51:21 (5:34/km), yielding a gain of roughly 4 minutes and 46 seconds.
His 10-mile time also improved from 1:30:54 (5:39/km) to 1:28:52 (5:31/km), shaving off about 2 minutes and 2 seconds. These gains in intermediate race segments point to enhanced sustained endurance and pacing efficiency.
This enhanced performance may be attributed to higher efficacy from standardization of Tongkat Ali extract, where initial clinical studies showed natural anabolic testosterone-balancing properties, bolstering muscle strength and reducing fatigue during extended sports activities.
By modulating stress hormones like cortisol, AKARALI also aided Dhana in preserving mental focus and avoiding the common energy dips that affect runners late in a race, enabling more stable speeds across these distances.
The half marathon race further captured an average power output of 250 W, a metric absent from the 2024 data, which demonstrates consistent energy delivery. This supports the evidence of Tongkat Ali’s ergogenic properties, where supplementation has been associated with better physiological adaptations in endurance sports, allowing athletes to maintain power without premature fatigue or exhaustion.
“Although training and other variables certainly contributed, the pre-race dose of standardized hot water Tongkat Ali root extract capsules may have played a key role in these improvements, offering natural energy support and anti-fatigue effects as well as its impact on endurance.” said a functional health coach based in California.
Dhana’s improvement and progress in his running journey marked a transition to an amateur-pro runner. Coupled with a structured training regime, proper nutrition plan and Tongkat Ali supplementation, he has already registered to win trail and road races like Malayisa Ultra-Trail and the KL Standard Chartered Marathon in 2026.
While road races like KLHalf 2025 help him sharpen pace and are great for endurance training, trail running is Dhana’s true passion and he believes such trail races, especially ultramarathons, test every aspect of a runner’s physical and psychological strength.
Although KLHalf 2025 was his first time using AKARALI, the supplement’s effect on stamina and consistency left a strong impression and he is keen to performance test it for his future races and beyond. In fact, he has just recently completed performance testing AKARALI’s dose-optimised capsules for his 14km trail race at Cameron Ultra 2025 (CULTRA).
“It’s hard to isolate one factor when training for a Personal Best. But I noticed I could hold my pace better and stay calm with Tongkat Ali. That mental steadiness was a huge advantage. Looking forward to testing AKARALI for more races like CULTRA!”
By modulating stress hormones like cortisol, AKARALI also aided Dhana in preserving mental focus and avoiding the common energy dips that affect runners late in a race, enabling more stable speeds across these distances.
The half marathon race further captured an average power output of 250 W, a metric absent from the 2024 data, which demonstrates consistent energy delivery. This supports the evidence of Tongkat Ali’s ergogenic properties, where supplementation has been associated with better physiological adaptations in endurance sports, allowing athletes to maintain power without premature fatigue or exhaustion.
“Although training and other variables certainly contributed, the pre-race dose of standardized hot water Tongkat Ali root extract capsules may have played a key role in these improvements, offering natural energy support and anti-fatigue effects as well as its impact on endurance.” said a functional health coach based in California.
We also tested Tongkat Ali on running endurance in high elevation at Cameron Highlands, Pahang, – a home for wild harvested Tongkat Ali plants, touted as the most authentic yellow Tongkat Ali you could source and buy.
On that note, Dhana’s ongoing testing of AKARALI’s Tongkat Ali supplement has netted him an impressive 18th place finish in his category out of 181 runners at Cameron Ultra (CULTRA) 2025. As he took Tongkat Ali for the first time in any races, it was his first 14km trail race too, where he completed the race in 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 55 seconds, navigating through the dense rainforests of Cameron Highlands, muddy terrains and high elevation of 811 meters.
“At CULTRA, I felt a different kind of stamina — not just maintaining pace, but being able to bounce back quickly after climbs and keep pushing. That was key to finishing strong in a terrain-heavy race.”
In the lead-up to the event, Dhana incorporated AKARALI into his daily training routine, taking one capsule (200mg) each day for a week to help maintain elevated stamina. On race day, he took his usual two capsules (400mg) before the start and noted a significant boost in endurance during his 14km run, especially during climbs and dips in the tortuous trail of Cameron Highlands.
“Of course I felt tired at certain points, especially during the high elevation climbs. But I noticed my stamina recovered quickly - I could push myself again on the downhills. That was a big difference. But I’ve also been training specifically for this kind of terrain with hill repeats, so it’s really an accumulative result.”
For the record, short-distance trail events aren’t Dhana’s usual focus, as he typically aims for longer endurance challenges for trail races, noting that he was not used to the explosive effort needed for the 14k.
Despite this, he went all out to push his limits since it was a relatively short race. Dhana told us it was hard to compare the result to past trail runs, but that finishing 18th overall in his category for an international event like CULTRA 2025 was an achievement that he’s very proud of – implying the before and after effects of Tongkat Ali may work when taken at the right dosage and proper training protocols.
With a strong finish and tangible improvements in endurance and pace, Dhana sees AKARALI as a valuable natural supplement to continue using in future trail and road races – especially races requiring rapid recovery for variable elevation and consistent energy output for a quick finish.
Unlike many performance-focused athletes, Dhana keeps his supplementation minimal. He occasionally takes vitamin C, zinc, omega, or garlic oil when feeling unwell, but doesn’t rely on a daily regimen. That’s why standardized Tongkat Ali supplements such as AKARALI stood out: not only did it provide visible results with its high concentration of eurycomanone, eurypeptides and glycosaponin, but it required no complicated stacking or cycling and can be used as-needed.
According to Dhana, standardized Tongkat Ali may be particularly useful for runners who value consistency – in pace, mindset, and performance. In a TrustPilot review, Dhana is amongst few Indonesians who praised AKARALI’s potency for endurance, energy, and mental calm for intense efforts like races.
“I've used this supplement before runs and other intense activities, and it's worked really well for me. I noticed a longer endurance of energy, especially toward the end of my workouts. And personally, it gives me a confidence boost. Overall, it’s great for my races.”
One thing for sure, Dhana isn’t done testing Tongkat Ali. There will be more test reviews backed by longer running data to assess its impact on endurance.
While he hasn’t yet integrated it into his weekly training or ultra-endurance prep, the strong results from KLHalf and CULTRA 2025 have convinced him to make AKARALI part of his regular routine, especially during race days. He’s also a believer in holistic health, citing the crucial tie between physical and mental health and how natural performance supplements like AKARALI are ideal for balancing this.
“I think people should realise how our physical health and mental health are connected. AKARALI is a convenient and practical way to support both, especially for people trying to stay active while balancing work and life.”
As a creative director juggling deadlines, strategy, and team leadership, the dual benefits of mental clarity and physical endurance are increasingly valuable. With several future races already on the table, Dhana’s journey with AKARALI is just beginning.
When asked what he’d say to fellow athletes or new runners curious about trying Tongkat Ali, Dhana keeps it simple and says they should try it for themselves.
“Don’t be afraid to try. Feel if there’s a difference for yourself.”
His story underscores what AKARALI represents – not hype or on-paper benefits, but real-world performance tested by real people, in real events, under real pressure. Whether you’re chasing a PB or just trying to stay consistent in your training, AKARALI might be the natural edge you didn’t know you needed.
If you are interested in experiencing the benefits of Malaysian single-origin standardised hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract for yourself, you can get your hands on our dose-optimised capsules, pure powder extract, or potent coffee, available worldwide with international delivery via DHL express.
Learn More or Contact Us
Learn more about the best Tongkat Ali in the world, or reach out to us at any of our international offices if you have any queries or concerns.
Alex Kua leads AKARALI’s Global Partnership Community to help athletes, sports communities, and thousand of others optimize their well-being through evidence-based research that enables them to make better informed decisions. His legal and business consulting background underpins the rigorous data-driven approach in his writing – from hours of interviews, real-world performance data, and firsthand experiences of real people – offering actionable insights that connects clinical research, emerging health trends, and real-world applications. He is also an experienced researcher in herbal nutrition, with years of deep technical knowledge on Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia), including quality standards, industry benchmarks, lab tests, clinical trials, and the use of natural herbs by collaborating with top scientists, herbal experts, and nutritionists. As part of the core team behind AKARALI’s knowledge portal, he empowers people worldwide to access the benefits of high-quality herbal nutrition in a way that is effective, sustainable, and safe. He is also an avid runner, with regular participation in local sports communities and running events.
Our articles are third party reviewed by our panel of experts and medical advisors to ensure the facts are accurate and credible. These are validated against multiple source references which include but not limited to research studies, peer-reviewed journals, pre-clinical studies, clinical tests and other credible publications.
Our panel of medical advisors and experts are highly experienced in their individual fields. However, they do not provide any medical advice or recommendations arising from content published in this article.
Disclaimer:
The content published on this website is for educational purposes and should not be viewed, read, or seen as a prescription or constitute any form of medical advice. We recommend you consult your nearest GP or doctors before consuming Tongkat Ali or any products which contain Tongkat Ali. For further information, kindly refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for more information.
