Page 253 - Westport Guide To Malaysia

THE GUIDE TO MALAYSIA 245
BORNEO ULTRA-TRAIL MARATHON
Borneo Ultra Trails Sdn Bhd 2nd Floor, Unit No. 1
Block F, Metro Town
Jalan Bunga Ulam Raja 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Hp (010) 933 4800 W borneoultra.com
IN BRIEF
The Borneo Ultra-Trail Marathon (BUTM) is designed to test trail runners physically and mentally
on challenging courses
running through the “Valley of Hanging Bridges”,
overlooked by the majestic Mount Kinabalu.
MAIN FEATURES
The Borneo Ultra- Trail Marathon is rated under the International Trail
Running Association (ITRA) and is a qualifier for other large international trail runs. It is held annually in early March and
has grown steadily over the years, with competitors from 40 different countries in
LOCATION / ROUTE
The race courses run through Sabah’s Kiulu Valley, starting and finishing at the village of Pekan Kiulu. The nearest airport is Kota Kinabalu, with direct flights from many destinations worldwide.
HOW TO GET THERE
Kiulu is 1 hour from Kota Kinabalu. A shuttle service will operate to and from the start/finish area.
The Borneo Ultra-Trail Marathon’s long ascents are punishing but pass through some of Southeast Asia’s most spectacular mountain scenery.
2019. Five courses are offered, from 9km to 100 miles with elevation gains between
300 and 8,000 metres, to accommodate runners of most ages and abilities. The challenging courses are set over the ridges and river valleys surrounding Kiulu. Participants will experience remote villages, jungles, village trails and hanging bridges amidst a landscape of paddy fields and steep ridges.
For runners who can’t make
it in March, BUTM’s equally demanding sister race, the TMBT Ultra-Trail Marathon, is held annually in September.
Tired but happy - the 2019 100km category winners celebrating at the prize presentation.
Traditional hanging bridges are a major feature of the race, and provide safe crossings of fast-flowing rivers and jungle streams.