Borneo Wildlife Marathon Tour

Running
Written By Sue Rudolph

LOCATION

BORNEO IS THE LARGEST ISLAND IN ASIA, LOCATED BETWEEN MALAYSIA, INDONESIA, AND THE PHILIPPINES IN THE PACIFIC. THE ISLAND IS GENERALLY WARM, HUMID, AND RAINY YEAR ROUND. IT IS KNOWN FOR THE BEAUTIFUL BEACHES, RAINFORESTS, AND DIVERSE WILDLIFE. 

THE MARATHON 

The 2020 Borneo Marathon will be held June 21st. There is a 10km, 21km, and 42km run. 

The first marathon was held in 1984 in Sabah. The next marathon was 23 years later in 2007 and was named the Borneo International Marathon. 529 runners participated in the marathon. It has since grown each year and hit 10,000 runners from over 50 countries in 2016. Today, it is a community run event with over 1,000 volunteers. They have also partnered with UNICEF Malaysia, promoting campaigns such as #ThisAbility and ‘Say No To Bullying, Yes to Kindness”, which advocated for the inclusivity of disabled children and encouraged people to stand up to bullies. Since 2008, the Borneo International Marathon has benefited 25 charitable organizations, listed below. 

  • 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

10 THINGS TO DO IN BORNEO 

1. Scale Mount Kinabalu. Mount Kinabalu is the highest point between New Guinea and the Himalayas at 4,095 meters (13,435 feet) high. Hikers should prepare for a two-day journey to the summit and stay overnight in a mountainside hostel.Only a limited number of people  can hike each day and spots usually fill up months in advance. Many hikers start early to watch the sunrise from the top and see the amazing view. 

2. Go diving or snorkeling off of Sipadan island, rated as one of the best dive locations in the world. 

3. Relax at Poring Hot Springs. 

4. Walk the tree canopies for good views of the forest at Kinabulu Park. 

5. Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, a rehabilitations center for orphaned orangutans where you can see them up close. 

6. Visit the Floating Mosque in Kota Kinabalu. 

7.  See elephants, bears, monkeys, orangutans and gibbons at  Lok Kawi Wildlife Park

8.  The Pulau Tiga beaches, known as the location of the TV show Survivor. The island is clean, secluded, and has beautiful beaches. 

9.  Enjoy the orange sand, palm filled beach, Tanjung Aru. 

10. See the aqua blue waters from the hikes of Bohey Dulang, Sabah.

Sue Rudolph
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