The first marathon in Sabah was held in 1984 and it was called the Daily Express Sabah Marathon. The next marathon was held 23 years later in 2008 and it was called the Borneo International Marathon (BIM). BIM was organized by Championship Sport Events Sdn. Bhd., helmed by Mr. Andrew Voon as the Race Director as well as the person instrumental in organizing the Borneo International Marathon. The first BIM had three categories, 10km, 21km and 42km and was participated by a mere 529 runners.

In 2012, Kinabalu Running Club took over the organization of BIM from Championship Sport Events after the sudden passing of its founder. With a group of 10 volunteers, the event was able to continue and grow in popularity among local and international runners. In 2016, Borneo Marathon achieved its first milestone of 10,000 runners from over 50 countries.

Today, Borneo Marathon is a community-run event with over 1,000 volunteers. The event has the backing from Governmental bodies such as the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Kota Kinabalu City Hall, Royal Malaysian Police, and Health Department.

In 2016, UNICEF Malaysia partnered with Borneo Marathon to push campaigns aimed at children’s well-being. The first campaign was #thisability to advocate for the inclusivity of disabled children. This campaign introduced the new UNICEF 3km category especially for children with disability and their parents and carers.

The second year, UNICEF’s campaign of ‘Say No to Bullying, Yes to Kindness’ during Borneo Marathon encouraged children and adults to speak up and stand up to bullies.

Private sectors that have consistently supported BIM are Shangri-la’s Rasa Ria Resort and Spa, Shangri-la’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa, KPJ, and Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu.

Sabah brands associated with the event are Rapidshutter and Little Italy (both since year one), Raintree Furnishing, K2, Tritonic, Lucy’s Kitchen, Gelato Lab, Juara Gym, Boon Creative Productions and Suria Sabah. Other brands include High5, Salonpas, AirAsia and ULTRON.

The course is certified by AIMS (Association of International Marathon and Distance Races) every year.

Since 2008, runners of Borneo Marathon have benefitted 25 charitable organizations and causes from around and outside of Sabah. They are:

• Tambunan Children's Home
• Emmanuel Homes, Kudat
• Humana Child Aid Society
• Food for the Hungry International Malaysia
• MERCY Malaysia - Sabah Chapter
• Semporna Island Projects
• Health In Harmony
• HUTAN
• Japan Tsunami Victim
• Air Asia Team (for 2 families)
• Rumah Bakti Harapan
• Befrienders Sabah
• Seri Mengasih Centre
• PEMADAM Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu
• Special Olympics Sabah
• Kinabalu Pink Ribbon
• Palliative Care Association of Kota Kinabalu
• Sabah Cheshire Home and Services
• Sabah Thalassaemia Society
• St. Francis Convent Secondary School New Building
• Hemophilia Society of Malaysia
• Persatuan Sukan & Rekreasi orang Kurang Upaya Negeri Sabah
• Asrama Harapan Baru
• Sabah Athletics Association
• Interior English Learning Center

RACE PACK COLLECTION

RACE ROUTE

42KM FULL MARATHON At the start, keep calm and head out passing two roundabouts. Turn left at Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen. This is a coastal road trip that brings you towards the Bunga Raya roundabout. Make a right then left at Jesselton Point and head towards Suria Sabah. Run pass that and continue to head to Wawasan Plaza traffic lights. Turn left at Jalan Kemajuan and head up the flyover to Jalan Tuaran. Run pass Sunny Garden towards Likas, and continue on for 5 kilometers until you reach KK's new flyover. Turn right before the flyover and run along Jalan Tuaran Bypass towards Jalan Sepanggar traffic light. Continue on passing the BCCM Sepangar Church. Run ahead and enter Jalan PLKN Kem Tanaki on your left, then make another left near Jalan Sulaman Sentral. Now turn right and enter Jalan UMS. Run along Jalan UMS and turn right to enter University Malaysia Sabah (UMS). At UMS, run towards the big roundabout, turn right, go up the hill (yes, you read correctly), and another right turn at the junction towards the UMS mosque. Run downhill briefly. Head straight then turn left at a major junction and run pass the UMS stadium (on left). Go up a hill then down, make a left at the big roundabout and exit UMS. Turn right and run towards the scenic coastal road at Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen. You're now on your way to the finish line back at the Likas Stadium. You deserve a pat on your back and more. Take a selfie and post it! Congratulations!

21KM HALF MARATHON From the start point, head out passing two roundabouts and turn right along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen. Run pass Jalan Yayasan Sabah and enter UMS. At UMS, run towards the big roundabout, turn right, go up the hill, and another right turn at the junction towards the UMS mosque. Run downhill briefly. Head straight then turn left at a major junction and run pass the UMS stadium (on left). Go up a hill then payback down, make a left at the big roundabout and exit UMS. Turn right and run towards the scenic coastal road at Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen. You're now on your way to the finish line back at the Likas Stadium. Congratulations! How about upgrading next year? :)

10KM RUN From the start point, head out passing two roundabouts then turn left along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen. Run along this coastal road and make a Uturn at Sabah Port (before the Bunga Raya roundabout). Run back towards Likas passing the roundabout earlier. Enjoy the view as you continue to run towards the City Mosque or also known as floating mosque. Make another U-turn here and head back to the stadium finish line. You're a #runner. Well done! Flag off time: 10km Open Category - 06:00 AM 10km School Category - 06:15 AM

FAQ

Please click HERE

Full Marathon

• Open Category – all male and female participants must be a minimum of 18 years to 39 years as of 28 April 2019, i.e. born before 28 April 2001.
• Veteran Category – all male and female participants must be a minimum of 40 years to 54 years as of 28 April 2019, i.e. born before 28 April 1979.
• Senior Veteran Category – all male and female participants must be a minimum of 55 years as of 28 April 2019 i.e. born before 6 May 1964.

Half Marathon

• Open Category – all male and female participants must be a minimum of 16 years  to 39 years as of 28 April 2019, i.e. born before 6 May 2003.
• Veteran Category – all male and female participants must be a minimum of 40 years and above as of 28 April 2019, i.e. born before 28 April 1979.

10 KM Race

• Open Category – all male and female participants must be a minimum of 19 years and above as of 28 April 2019, i.e. born before 28 April 2000.

10 KM Student

• School Category – all male and female participants must be a minimum of 13 years to 18 years as of 28 April 2019, i.e. born before 28 April 2006.

Timing Chips

• The electronic timing chip provided by the organiser must be used by all runners.

Prizes

• All race winners must have a personal bank account as prize money will be banked in into their personal accounts
• All prize money winners must sign a declaration that their personal address and bank account information provided to the organizer is correct.
• All prizes quoted in Malaysian Ringgit (RM)

Refunds

• No refunds will be entertained once full payment is received.
• Confirmed registrations are not transferable to other persons.
• Registered runners are not allowed to change their categories once the registration is confirmed.

Important information

• BM 2019 will be enforcing the cut off time for all categories. For the Full Marathon it will be 7 hours, Half Marathon 3 1/2 hours and 10Km 2 hours. Runners who exceed the cut off times will be ‘swept’ back to the Stadium.
• Race Bib swapping is illegal. This is especially important as emergency contacts are registered with the bib. This will also ensure that there is no cheating. If this should happen the runner will be immediately disqualified and the identity will be posted to all running events.
• For security reasons the Police, Dewan Bandaraya Enforcement Agency, Officials and Course Mashalls will not allow runners without a running bib. They will be stopped and taken off the course immediately for further action. Offenders will have their pictures taken and details shared to all Races.

Age, Race Categories & Start Times

All runners will get the followings;

• Running T-shirt 10 KM, Half Marathon & Full Marathon
• Finisher’s medal for 10 KM, Half Marathon & Full Marathon (finish within cut off time)
• Finisher’s T-shirt for Full Marathon (finish within cut off time)
• Finisher’s Certificate for 10 KM, Half Marathon & Full Marathon which can be obtained online (finish within cut off time)
• Goodie bag