KOTA KINABALU: A runner and a Rela member were injured in a hit-and-run incident, while another participant later died after completing the race during the 2026 Borneo International Marathon on Sunday (May 10).
In the first incident, a runner and a Rela member were hit by a vehicle along the route during the race.
Kota Kinabalu OCPD Asst Comm Kasim Muda confirmed that a police report was lodged on the road accident involving a private vehicle and a participant of the 42km marathon category.
He said the incident was believed to have happened at about 3.30am when the runner was using the left lane, which had been set aside for participants.
“Initial investigations found that a Proton Saga, driven by a 27-year-old local man, had hit the victim from behind while the victim was on KM32 of Jalan UMS heading towards Likas.
“After the collision, the vehicle is believed to have continued moving before stopping at the Petronas Jalan Tuaran Bypass traffic light,” ACP Kasim said in a statement.
ACP Kasim said the runner sustained light injuries to his hand, knee and back of the neck, and was given further treatment at Gleneagles Hospital Kota Kinabalu.
The driver also suffered light injuries to his right arm, he said.
He said checks at the scene found that safety cones had been placed along the left lane to separate the marathon route from the vehicle lane.
The vehicle involved has been brought to the Kota Kinabalu police headquarters for further inspection by Puspakom.
The case is being investigated under Rule 10 of the Road Traffic Rules 1959.
Earlier, the marathon’s organiser, Kinabalu Running Club said it was deeply concerned over the hit-and-run incident, which involved a runner and a working crew member, a Rela personnel, during the recent Borneo International Marathon.
The organiser said both injured individuals received immediate medical attention from the event medical team before being transported to hospital.
However, the Rela personnel was not mentioned in the police statement released on Monday.
Social media users questioned traffic control measures and enforcement along the route.
Authorities have yet to explain how the vehicle managed to access the race area.
In a separate incident, a participant in the half-marathon category later died after experiencing breathing difficulties after completing the race.
The victim was identified as Muhd Irfan Tarmizi Muhlis @ Ramli, a lifeguard.
No information has been released on the hit-and-run accident, if any arrests have been made or the condition of the victims.
The 16th edition of the Borneo International Marathon drew more than 10,000 runners from over 50 countries.
