The Borneo Ultra Trail Marathon (BUTM) 2024 pushed endurance athletes to their limits as 1,300 runners, including nearly 300 international participants, braved the challenging landscapes of Kiulu Valley, just 45km from Kota Kinabalu.

Among them was British actor and filmmaker Emrhys Cooper, known for his role in Coronation Street, who hailed the race as “one of the best ultra marathons” he has ever participated in.

Cooper, part of the UK-based Maverick Racers, ran in the 50km category and was joined by seven fellow team members.

“The run was tough but incredibly rewarding. I slipped down countless times due to the wet trails, but the experience was unforgettable,” said Cooper.

The extreme trail marathon, which took place from February 22 to 23, is an annual event supported by the Sabah Tourism Board. The race consists of four categories: 106km, 55km, 32km, and 9km, each designed to test the physical and mental resilience of participants.

Tackling Sabah’s Wild Terrain

Runners navigated steep jungle trails, dirt tracks, and backroads, encountering breathtaking views of ridges, valleys, and the majestic Mount Kinabalu.

Despite challenging weather conditions, international runners praised the course.

Norway’s Veslemoy Ronnevik, winner of the women’s 50km category, highlighted the drastic shift in climate.

“The surface was slippery because of the rain, but the scenery made it worth it. When I left Norway, it was -10°C, so running in Sabah’s humidity was a real test,” she said.

Sabah Strengthens Adventure Tourism Appeal

The event was flagged off by Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who also serves as Sabah Tourism Board chairman. He emphasized the growing impact of BUTM on Sabah’s adventure tourism industry, aligning with the government’s efforts to position the region as a premier destination for extreme sports.

“With more international athletes joining each year, BUTM is gaining a strong global reputation. Events like this support our goal of making Kiulu a top adventure tourism hotspot,” said Bangkuai.

As Sabah continues to attract endurance athletes and adventure seekers worldwide, the Sabah Tourism Board remains committed to developing infrastructure and promoting eco-friendly adventure tourism.

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