Kota Kinabalu: The 33rd Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon organised by the Sabah Tourism Board through its subsidiary, Sri Pelancongan Sabah, in collaboration with Sabah Parks is scheduled to take place on October 18.
Approximately 250 seasoned athletes from various countries are expected to participate in the event, recognised by the International Trail Running Association (ITRA).
Unlike other open-entry races, this event invites participants based on their running experience and submitted profiles, and they will compete in three main categories: Men’s Elite, Women’s Elite and Men’s Veteran.
This year’s competition will witness renowned Malaysian athletes alongside international competitors from countries such as Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Italy, Russia, Spain, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.
It will also serve as the 17th race in the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series, making it a vital stop for participants as they vie for critical World Series points in their quest for rankings leading up to the SkyMasters Grand Finale in Spain on November 7.
Among the 20 elite participants from the Skyrunner® World Series anticipated to enter the race are Daniel Antonioli and Alex Oberbacher of Italy, with Shoma Otagiri from Japan and Chile’s Luis Ovalle Rodriguez also looking to make their mark in the Men’s Elite category.
The Women’s Elite category is set to feature Svetlana Nurmukhametova from Russia, along with her compatriot Vanja Cnops and Spain’s June Villarroel as well as Sandi Menchi Abahan of the Philippines, who claimed victory at the 2024 edition, while Daved Simpat will return to defend his title in the Men’s Veteran category.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin noted that reintroducing the Climbathon to the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series solidifies Sabah’s global standing as a hub for adventure, nature and world-class sporting events.
He emphasised that the Climbathon embodies the spirit of Sabah—challenging, resilient and intimately connected to its natural environment.
“To see runners from around the world coming to Sabah to take on Mount Kinabalu reflects the international standing this event has built over the years,” he stated.
He added that with its inclusion in the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series, the Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon holds a place among elite mountain-running events across four continents, and this year’s race is particularly significant, occurring shortly before the SkyMasters Grand Finale, attracting competitive runners from the global circuit.
He also expressed pride in local talent taking part in the event.
“We are thrilled to see Sabahan and Malaysian runners going head-to-head with the world’s best. This home-ground advantage lets our athletes test their limits on a global stage while inspiring the next generation,” he said.
Moreover, he underscored the broader tourism impact of hosting international sporting events.
“The benefits ripple far beyond the racetrack. As athletes, families, and spectators experience our rich culture and warm hospitality, they inject vital support into local communities and the broader tourism sector,” he concluded.
He also invited the public to witness the flag-off at 6.30am on Oct 18 at the Parking Lot, Kinabalu Hall.
Meanwhile, the Timpohon Run 2026 will kick off the Climbathon weekend on Saturday (Oct 17) offering running enthusiasts a more accessible way to experience the event’s vibrant atmosphere.
The 10-kilometre route begins at Kinabalu Hall in Kinabalu Park, guides runners up to Timpohon Gate, loops through the scenic Silau-Silau Trail, and returns to the hall for the finish.
Open exclusively to those not competing in the main event, it has already attracted over 350 participants across the Men’s and Women’s Open categories.
