KOTA KINABALU: An worldwide marathon in the country hilly tracks of Kiulu kicked off this weekend as Sabah performed host to a serious sporting occasion the nation transitions into the Covid-19 endemic section.
Over 700 operating fanatics turned up for the two-day Borneo Ultra Trail Marathon (BUTM) at Kiulu, about 60km from the state capital.
State Tourism, Culture, and Environment Assistant Minister and Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai flagged off the race, which began at 5am for the 100km race and at 7am for the 50km race.
BUTM attracted 700 Malaysian and worldwide runners between the ages of 10 and 65, with younger marathoners permitted to compete in a 9km race.
One of the first-time individuals was Kuala Lumpur-based expatriate Holly Anderson from the United States, who joined the 50km race with two mates from England and Sweden.
“We have joined a few races, however that is our first time becoming a member of BUTM and collaborating in a race in Sabah.
“I visited the state in December final 12 months and located Sabah to be an fascinating vacation spot. I’m glad to be again and this time, I’ve the chance to discover Kiulu via this race. It’s a stunning rural space and the environment is kind of peaceable,” she mentioned.
The ultra-trail marathon occasion additionally drew a gaggle of 11 operating buddies from Penang who signed up for the 50km race.
For Felix Tan, a first-time marathon runner, it was the encouragement of his mates that spurred him to enroll.
“We usually are not simply right here to race. I’ve heard concerning the stunning surroundings of Kiulu and being right here, I get to expertise the recent air and nature myself,” mentioned the Penangite.
Joniston, in the meantime, mentioned that Sabah has the potential to be a venue for worldwide sporting race occasions based mostly on earlier occasions that drew a lot of overseas individuals.
Certain sporting occasions, he added, might be held in the countryside to learn native communities and enhance rural tourism.
“For occasion, Kiulu is a vacation spot of selection for journey seekers as a result of it serves as a hub for eco-adventure actions. Kiulu had beforehand hosted a wide range of journey challenges, together with operating, mountain biking and conventional sports activities.
“With that mentioned, we’ll look into reviving the Kiulu 4M Challenge,” he mentioned.
The 4M Challenge focuses on the normal Kadazandusun sporting video games, particularly ‘manangkus’ (operating), ‘mamangkar’ (bamboo rafting), ‘manampatau’ (swimming with assistance from bamboo pole), and ‘mamarampanau’ (strolling on bamboo stilt).
In the previous, the occasion attracted locals and overseas vacationers into Kiulu. It was final held 10 years in the past.
Joniston mentioned selling conventional sporting video games is one option to encourage folks to go to rural locations, permitting them to expertise actions of the indigenous folks and be taught their tradition up shut.
With the reopening of the worldwide border quickly and the revival of tourism actions, he mentioned Sabah wants to supply distinctive merchandise and occasions that pique the curiosity of overseas vacationers.
The first day of the marathon race noticed 345 folks competing in two classes on Saturday (March 19).
The 30km and 9km race classes are set to happen on Sunday (March 20). In the occasion, marathoners race previous Kiulu villages, alongside the river, and thru the forested terrain trails.
