Borneo International Marathon
The Borneo International Marathon is an annual marathon event held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo Island. Since its inception, the marathon has become a symbol of endurance, community spirit, and charitable giving, attracting participants from across the globe.
The inaugural race was held on 12 October 2008. This is the first marathon in the state for over 20 years.
History
The Borneo International Marathon was started by Andrew Voon, Christopher Nielsen, Urs Weisskop and Simon Amos.Marathon was first held on October 12, 2008, launched by Championship Sport Events Sdn. Bhd. The late Andrew Voon served as the Race Director.
The inaugural event featured three race categories—10km, 21km, and 42km—and drew 529 participants. This marked the beginning of what would grow into one of Borneo’s most significant annual sporting events.
Transition to Kinabalu Running Club (KRC)
On June 18, 2011, the running community was deeply shocked and saddened by Andrew’s sudden passing. In his memory, a group of his running friends successfully registered the Kinabalu Running Club , which has undertaken the task of organising the future Borneo International Marathons.Committed to continuing Andrew’s legacy, KRC, led by Dr Heng Aik Cheng and a passionate group of volunteers, has maintained and expanded the event, staying true to its charitable mission. Since the transition, the event has raised over RM1.1 million for more than 36 charitable organisations, supported by the contributions of the running community, partners, sponsors, suppliers, and contractors.
Growth and Impact
The Borneo International Marathon has grown significantly since its inception. By 2016, the marathon celebrated a milestone of over 10,000 participants from more than 50 countries. The marathon's increasing popularity positioned it as the biggest and longest marathon in Borneo, and the third-largest marathon in Malaysia, following the Kuala Lumpur Marathon and the Penang Bridge International Marathon.UNICEF Malaysia Collaboration (2017-2019)
From 2017 to 2019, the Kinabalu Running Club partnered with UNICEF Malaysia to introduce the UNICEF Borneo International Marathon. This collaboration focused on using the Borneo International Marathon as a platform for social awareness through activities and educational content, with each year dedicated to a specific theme addressing issues affecting children and the broader community.In 2017, the theme was #ThisAbility, which aimed to highlight the abilities of children with disabilities and promote their inclusion in sports. The initiative allowed children with disabilities to participate in the marathon, changing the way runners and the public perceived and interacted with them.
In 2018, the theme shifted to #StandTogether - Say No To Bullying, Yes to Kindness. This campaign encouraged children and young adults to stand up against bullying and foster kindness within schools and communities. Students from SMK Sanzac, the school that, attended and participated in the run.
The 2019 campaign was centred around the theme #KurangManis , because I’m Sweet Enough. It emphasised promoting healthy eating habits among children and adolescents, addressing the growing concerns about sugar consumption and its effects on health. The campaign was integrated into the marathon through special events and messaging, encouraging participants to make healthier dietary choices. Lisa Surihani, UNICEF National Ambassador in Malaysia also participated in the race.
Race Categories
The Borneo International Marathon features several race categories:| Full Marathon | Half Marathon | 10km Race |
| Men Open | Men Open | Men Junior |
| Women Open | Women Open | Women Junior |
| Men Veteran | Men Veteran | Men Open |
| Women Veteran | Women Veteran | Women Open |
| Men Senior Veteran | Men Senior Veteran | Men Veteran |
| Women Senior Veteran | Women Senior Veteran | Women Veteran |
These categories allow runners of different levels to participate, from elite athletes to casual runners.
In addition to the standard race categories, the Borneo International Marathon also includes a 3-kilometre walk specifically tailored for participants from the, Malaysian Parkinson's Disease Association, and Palliative Care Association Kota Kinabalu. This initiative reflects the Kinabalu Running Club's commitment to inclusivity and community involvement, providing opportunities for individuals of all abilities to engage in and experience the marathon.
Route
The original route took runners past the University of Malaysia Sabah and 1Borneo Hypermall on the first leg of the full marathon then back past Jalan Istiadat and through the city out to Tanjung Aru before turning round to return to the sports stadium. The new route enters the university campus and introduces some tricky hills to the hill-averse distance runners making the marathon one of the toughest in Asia.Winners
This list of winners below only applies to Full Marathon only.'''Key:'''
Other Races
Borneo Half Marathon
The Kinabalu Running Club also co-organises the Borneo Half Marathon in collaboration with the Kota Kinabalu City Hall. This event is held in conjunction with the annual Kota Kinabalu City Day celebrations.The Borneo Half Marathon features two race categories:
| Half Marathon | 10km Race |
| Men Open | Men Open |
| Women Open | Women Open |
| Men Junior Veteran | Men Junior Veteran |
| Women Junior Veteran | Women Junior Veteran |
| Men Veteran | Men Veteran |
| Women Veteran | Women Veteran |
| Men Senior Veteran | Men Senior Veteran |
| Women Senior Veteran | Women Senior Veteran |
These categories allow runners of different levels to participate, from elite athletes to casual runners.