KOTA KINABALU: The 26th Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon – The Adventure Series 2012 will see international high altitude runners take up a new race course, hence, setting new records this year.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Assistant Minister Datuk Ellron Alfred Angin said the change of the race course was aimed at promoting the surrounding areas of Mount Kinabalu, in addition to the mountain summit.
“The race course has been altered to start from the Kinabalu Park entrance going through the forest trails to Layang-Layang Hut at 2,703.3 metres above sea-level which is the highest level (of the race) and down to Mesilau Nature Resort.
“Participants will run for another 10km on a tarmac road that goes through Kampung Masilou, Kampung Indah Permai and Kampung Cinta Mata before reaching the end point in Kundasang town,” he said at a press conference on the race yesterday.
The race will be held on Oct 14.
According to Ellron, the total distance of the race involved 23km, an extra two kilometres as compared to the old route which went up to the summit of the 4,101-metre mountain. This year’s race has attracted 658 runners, of which 193 come from 28 countries. — Bernama