NEW AND MORE SCENIC CLIMBATHON ROUTE NEXT YEAR - MASIDI

More scenic climbathon next year

A signage near the Layang-Layang Hut area which is the highest point in the new route for next year’s Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon.

KOTA KINABALU 2011/10/02: The most popular sporting event in Sabah, the Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon, will have a new route next year.

The 21km race, which includes the ascent and descent of the 4,095m mountain, will begin at a lower altitude for its 26th edition, with an additional 2km.

In announcing this recently, state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said an "adventure" element would be incorporated into the race.

He said the revised route, mapped out by Sabah Parks, would also be more spectator- and participant- friendly.

Masidi said this during the presentation of a RM30,000 sponsorship by Celcom to the organisers of this year's race, which will kick off on Oct 22 and end on Oct 23.

He also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Celcom and Xtend Services Sdn Bhd for a tracking device for climbers.

"The race is not just about reaching the peak.

"Our goal is to make it more interesting and challenging, but at the same time, allowing us to promote Mount Kinabalu."

For next year, the total distance would be 23km and it would retain its original name, with the words "Adventure Series" included.

"The race is still popular. However, the number of participants, though they are in the top rankings, has not increased over the years.

"The new route will better promote the park.

"We are looking into an extended adventure version to circumnavigate the mountain."

He said next year, the race would start from Mount Kinabalu National Park's main hall and end at the Mesilau Nature Resort, via the Summit Trail.

The highest point would be 2,700m at the Layang-Layang Hut area.

The climbathon was introduced in 1984 to identify the fittest rangers for emergency rescue operations.

Eventually, it was opened to international participants.

For 10 years, it has been part of an international mountain running circuit known as the International Skyrunning Federation.