Official Announcement regarding cancellation of BM2020

My Dear Friends,

We are all facing an unprecedented situation with the global pandemic of Covid-19. Ensuring a safe and healthy environment for our runners, volunteers, sponsors, charitable bodies, crew staff and spectators is our top priority. Given the current situation both locally and nationally, our focus as a nation now is to ‘flatten the curve’ until it reaches a controllable level so we can start to live our lives normally again. After deep thinking and careful consideration, the Organizing Committee has decided to cancel Borneo Marathon 2020 on 21 June.

We know this is disappointing news for runners who have trained for months, for the Sabah charitable bodies we are raising funds for, and the overall community who come together every year to make the event a special one.

We are writing to you today to let you know what we are doing:

Refunding all registration fees

All registration fees for Borneo Marathon 2020 (including BM2020 fee paid via the Great Borneo Series platform, World’s Marathons platform and also under the Combo package) will be refunded. Please bear with us as we detail out and coordinate this carefully so that money paid to us can rightfully be given back to you via online banking. Our secretariat will be busier than usual combing through the volume of registrations that we have received from various payment gateways, registration portals and the corresponding banking transactions that will follow. An administrative fee of 7% is deducted to carry this out. A FAQ link will be provided in due course to address your refund enquiries.

Let us share the future

Ever since the outbreak emerged, we have been taking note of all major and local sporting events that have been postponed or cancelled, with ours in mind.

We took pleasure in organizing the inaugural Kota Kinabalu City Borneo Half Marathon on behalf of the City Hall on 23 February 2020 and met with many of you there. In 2021 Kota Kinabalu turns 21 years old. We are looking forward to celebrating the Kota Kinabalu City 21st Birthday Run.

Staying healthy

We encourage you to stay up to date with recommendations by the authorities for your safety and the safety of your loved ones. We join other Malaysians in thanking the medical and security front liners for their tireless dedication. Runners generally have a good immune system. We recommend that you maintain fitness by continuing to exercise at home throughout the Movement Control Order period. There are many live online classes available. Wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face and practice a safe distance from people showing symptoms. We hope the outbreak will be under control soon, and whenever it is safe to run outside again, we’ll be there for you.

Keep safe,
Borneo Marathon Committee

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

Full Marathon

• Open Category – all male and female participants must be a minimum of 18 years to 39 years as of 21 June 2020, i.e. born before 21 June 2002.
• Veteran Category – all male and female participants must be a minimum of 40 years to 54 years as of 21 June 2020, i.e. born before 21 June 1980.
• Senior Veteran Category – all male and female participants must be a minimum of 55 years as of 21 June 2020 i.e. born before 21 June  1965.

Half Marathon

• Open Category – all male and female participants must be a minimum of 16 years  to 39 years as of 21 June 2020, i.e. born before 21 June 2004.
• Veteran Category – all male and female participants must be a minimum of 40 years and above as of 21 June 2020, i.e. born before 21 June 1980.

10 KM Race

• Open Category – all male and female participants must be a minimum of 13 years as of 21 June 2020, i.e. born before 21 June 2007.

10 KM Student

• School Category – all male and female students of public and private schools within Kota Kinabalu area. Organiser may request for acknowledgment from respective schools. all male and female participants must be a minimum of 13 years to 18 years as of 21 June 2020, i.e. born before 21 June 2007.

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 2020 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 Marshalls 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 other race organisers.

Age, Race Categories & Start Times

All runners will get the followings;

• EventT-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 only (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