KUNAK: The Kunak Half Marathon, held last Sunday, has been included in the 2026 Sabah East Coast Half Marathon calendar, which attracted 1,091 participants from Kunak, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Semporna and other districts across Sabah.
The 2026 Sabah East Coast Half Marathon series comprised three events, beginning with the Kunak Half Marathon on June 14, featuring 5km, 10km and 21km categories.
The second leg, the Lahad Datu (LDU) Half Marathon, is scheduled for Sept 27 this year with 5km and 21km races, while the series will conclude in Tawau on Dec 13, 2026 with the same race distances.
Assistant Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy Minister Datuk Seri Anil Sandhu said marathon events organised by local running clubs have become a catalyst for expanding sports participation among youths and veteran runners.
He said such events also served as an effective platform to promote sports tourism, encourage healthy lifestyles and strengthen social interaction among participants.
“Organising activities like this not only promotes sports destinations but also encourages healthy living and enhances social interaction among participants,” he told Daily Express here on Thursday.
Anil said sporting events were more than just competitions, as they also played an important role in showcasing the uniqueness and cultural diversity of local communities.
Meanwhile, the Kunak Half Marathon organising committee, through its official Facebook page, expressed appreciation to all participants, volunteers, officials, government agencies, sponsors, strategic partners, security personnel and medical teams for contributing to the success of the event.
The organisers hope this year’s edition will inspire more people to take up marathon running and encourage greater participation in next year’s event.
