129 for climbathon

Kota Kinabalu: A total of 129 qualified high altitude runners from around the world have registered for the 30th Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon. The much-awaited international race will be held at the Malaysia's first Unesco World Heritage Site Oct 15 at Kinabalu Park, Kundasang.

This year, the Climbathon attracted 105 elite men and 24 elite women participants from 19 countries – Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Japan, Kenya, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, United States of America and Malaysia.

About 30 participants will be facing the Mount Kinabalu challenge for the first time.

Local ace Safrey Sumping and Filipina Sandi Menchi Catlona Abahan are set to defend their men's and women's elite titles.

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In last year's race, Safrey, 34, crossed the line ahead of fellow Sabahan Wincentbert Latius while 27-year-old Sandi Abahan emerged as the champion by beating Kenyan Viola Jepchirchir Kimeli.

Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Pang Yuk Ming, who is also the organising chairman, said the race will be flagged off by Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.

The Summit Race flags off at Kinabalu Park and runners will make their way to the summit of Mount Kinabalu (4,095.2 m) before crossing the finish line back at the park, making it a total distance of 26km.

Since 2016, Sabah Parks have opened a new route for the climbers via the newly-opened Ranau trail.

The route is located on a higher elevation that is not only more challenging but offers a breathtaking view.

This year, only qualified participants recommended by their national federation or have finished the race within the time limit in the previous years' Climbathonare eligible to compete in the race.

Apart from having several water stations and aid stations along the route, there will be two turning points for the runners which are Panalaban and Aki View Point, as a contingency plan due to unpredictable weather.

Last year, the elite runners braved the bad weather, an unforeseen circumstance which had an impact towards the runners' finishing time and their placing in the world record.

While casual climbers may take an average of two days to scale the mountain, professional mountain runners can clock as fast as three hours. Members of the public are invited to witness the annual sporting event dubbed the World's Toughest Mountain Race and cheer for the runners at the finishing line located at Kinabalu Park.

The Climbathon supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah and The Board of Trustees of Sabah Parks. The event is sponsored by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges (Accommodation), K2 (Mineral Water), Tritonic (Isotonic Drink), and Borneo Excursion Adventure (Tour Operator).

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Also present at the conference were Liaw Hen Kong, Managing Director of Life Water Industries Sdn Bhd, Winceslaus Gerald Autine, Organising Secretary, Chin Lee Ling, Executive Director of Life Water Industries Sdn Bhd, Ak. Mohd Rodzan Pg. Dahlan, Sabah Park communication officer and Martin Moguring, Kinabalu Park operations officer.

Further information can be obtained from Winceslaus Gerald Autine, Organising Secretary, Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sdn Bhd at +6088232121, email [email protected], or visit the website www.climbathon.my. - GL Oh

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00