Tropical Rainforest Run returns on November 26
Published on: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
By: Jonathan Nicholas
Christina (fifth left) with KePKAS and agency chiefs.
Kota Kinabalu: The Tropical Rainforest Run returns Nov 26 (next Sunday) at Tawau Hills Park offering 21 kilometres for seasoned runners and a more family-friendly 6km trail around sulphurous springs.
Besides running among Sabah’s tallest tropical trees, the event aims to raise awareness about rainforest conservation and emphasise the biodiversity present in the ecosystems of Tawau Hills Park.
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State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew said participants will have the opportunity to run among the world’s tallest tropical trees such as the Yellow Meranti Tree.
“Tawau Hills Park holds a record of having the second tallest trees in Sabah, reaching a height of 99.2 metres as of 2019.
“Moreover, Tawau Hills Park is also home to various wildlife, including the Borneon gibbons, Grey-leaf monkeys, Red Leaf monkeys, hornbills, rare pheasants, Civet-cats and more.
“The 21-kilometre route runs through the Mount Lucia trail, which has an elevation gain of 800 metres.
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“Mount Lucia stands proudly among the three extinct volcanoes in the Tawau Hills Park, alongside Mount Magdalena and Mount Maria.
“Beyond its diverse wildlife, Tawau Hills Park boasts captivating waterfalls, including the Table Waterfall and Gelas Waterfall,” she told a press conference on Tuesday.
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Participants can choose to register as a group with a minimum of five persons per team or as individuals for the men’s and women’s open and the men’s veteran (age 40 and above) and women’s veteran (age 35 and above) categories.
The second trail, she said, is the 6km Fun Trail Run, which guides participants to the iconic turquoise-coloured sulphurous hot spring route.
“This race welcomes individuals of all backgrounds who want to fully embrace the beauty of nature and savour the wonders of the rainforest at their own leisurely pace.
“While surrounded by untouched wilderness, participants will also have the opportunity to potentially spot the park’s diverse wildlife and plant species, including endemic wild plants such as the Elephant’s Ear Orchid and Begonia Lamriana,” she said.
According to Christina, the run serves as a platform to encourage a healthier way of life within the community, providing participants with a chance to truly value the rich natural resources that Sabah offers.
The fee for group registrations is RM188, while individual registrations are priced at RM208. The 6km Fun Run, on the other hand, is available at RM108 per participant.
“In support of the ongoing conservation efforts by Sabah Parks, 10 per cent of all running fees will be allocated to support the park’s conservation projects,” she added.
Fees includes a race pack that entitles runners to receive a running t-shirt, race bib, finisher’s medal, and a digital e-certificate. Runners can collect their race packs on 25 November 2023.
This year’s race, with 250 already registered participants, is attracting international participants including Kenya, Australia, Canada, Japan, Indonesia, and Singapore.
Among them are the 12 top runners from the 2019 Tropical Rainforest Run from all categories.
“Exciting cash prizes and vouchers valued at over RM50,000 await participants, along with exclusive rewards and lucky draws sponsored by Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG).
“Those interested can still secure your spot at hellosabah.com. Convenient shuttle services will be operational on November 26, offering pickup locations from Tawau Municipal Council to Tawau Hills Park.
“Departures are scheduled at 4.30am and the return trip to Tawau Municipal Council is set for 2pm upon the race’s completion,” she said.
The Tropical Rainforest Run 2023 is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah (KePKAS), Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture (MOTAC), Sabah Tourism Board (STB), and Tourism Malaysia.
Co-organised by Sabah Parks, the Tawau Municipal Council and Tawau Runner Club, it is made possible through sponsorships from key partners including Borneo Royale Hotel, PMG Pharmacy (Tawau), K2 Drinking Water and Tritonic.
Meanwhile, Christina promised to make the run an annual event as well as to “vigorously” promote Tawau as a tourist hotspot in 2024 with an annual four event minimum schedule.
With regards to this, she also said she has some “good news” from China but said would elaborate at a later time.
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