Elite runners returning to Mt Kinabalu International Climbathon

KOTA KINABALU (Oct 4): The 31st Mt Kinabalu International Climbathon 2024 on Sunday at Kinabalu Park will feature a remarkable lineup of elite runners among the 206 participants.

This year’s summit race involves three categories: Elite Men’s (74), Elite Women’s (60), and Men’s Veteran (72).

Among the participants are seasoned athletes from Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, and Brunei Darussalam with impressive track records in previous Climbathons and other notable races.

“It’s incredible to witness the enthusiasm surrounding the return of our Climbathon after seven years. We received an overwhelming response and are thrilled to announce that participants from 17 countries will join us for the 31st Climbathon, including representatives from as far away as Peru, the United States, Great Britain, Sweden, Hungary, France, and Poland,” said Sabah Tourism Board chief executive officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit.

“We are delighted to welcome solo participants from Australia, China, Great Britain, Hungary, Peru, Poland, Sweden, the USA and Vietnam, along with three from France, four from the Philippines, seven from Indonesia and Singapore, and 16 from our neighbouring country Brunei Darussalam.”

A total of 155 participants are Malaysians from all states.

Sabah leads with the highest number of participants at 84, followed by 33 from Selangor, 13 from Kuala Lumpur, five from Perak, and four from Negeri Sembilan.

Additionally, there are three participants each from Johor, Pahang, and Sarawak, while Kelantan and
Terengganu have two participants each.

Lastly, Melaka, Penang, and Labuan each have one participant.

This year, in the Elite Men category, there are top runners including Walter Herman, who previously placed fourth in 2017 and sixth in 2016.

Also competing is Roger Herman from Malaysia, who secured seventh place in both 2016 and 2017.

Wilsen Singgin from Malaysia, who achieved ninth place in the Elite Men category in 2016, will also be participating.

Additionally, Vinson S Ramos from the Philippines, who earned third place at the Akyathlon 2023, and Putra Julio Ekdo Badayu from Indonesia, who claimed second place at the Jabar Ultra Trail Run 2024, will also be taking part.

In the Elite Women’s category, Sandi Menchi Catlona Abahan from the Philippines, who won the Elite Race in 2016 and 2017; Ahineh Dainin from Malaysia, who was the second runner-up in the Elite Women’s category in 2017; and Tahira Najmunisaa Muhammad, who was the second runner-up in 2016, will be competing.

In the Men’s Veteran category, there will be Safrey Sumping from Malaysia, the first winner of the Elite Race in 2016 and 2017; Daved Simpat, who placed third in the Elite Race in 2017; Sapirin Sumping, also from Malaysia, who achieved fifth place in 2016; and Zainor Sam Md Zain from Brunei — the first runner-up at the Simpur Ultra Run 2023.

To date, Kilian Jornet Burgada from Spain currently holds the record for the fastest completion of the Climbathon race, with an impressive time of two hours, 39 minutes and 10 seconds, recorded in the 21st Mt Kinabalu International Climbathon in 2007.

However, this record was based on the previous distance of 21km, while this year the distance has been changed to 26km.

The prize pool is set at RM8,000 for each of the three main categories: Men’s Elite, Women’s Elite and Men’s Veteran, while the second and third place winners will receive RM6,000 and RM4,000 respectively.

Additional cash prizes will be awarded to the fourth through 10th place finishers.

As participants compete for these prizes, they will be tackling the breathtaking challenge of Mount Kinabalu, ranked among the highest mountains in Southeast Asia.

Mount Kinabalu is also one of the tallest peaks that is easily accessed by most climbers.

On May 24, 2023, Sabah was awarded the title of Kinabalu Unesco Global Geopark, making Malaysia the third country in the world to achieve the triple crown status from Unesco.

“With this declaration, Sabah is the third location in the world, after China and Korea, to attain the prestigious triple crown status. Sabah’s two other Unesco crowns are Kinabalu Park, which was recognised as a World Heritage Site on the 2nd of December 2000, and the Unesco Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve, marked on the 12th of June 2014,” added Julinus.

The 31st Mt Kinabalu International Climbathon 2024 is organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah; Sabah Tourism Board; Sabah Parks; and Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sdn Bhd, and supported by Tourism Malaysia.