KUNDASANG: Sabah is considering higher prize money for the Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon, to attract more international runners to compete in the prestigious mountain race.
At the same time, the state is also looking to provide financial assistance to help local runners compete overseas.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the time had come to review the cash prizes to attract more elite international runners to the race.
“I think it is time for us to offer more attractive prizes to encourage greater participation, particularly among international runners,” he said after flagging off the 33rd Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon at Kinabalu Park yesterday.
This year’s competition offers RM8,000 to the champion, in each of its three categories, while the runner-up will take home RM6,000 with RM4,000 going to the third-place finisher.
The Climbathon previously offered higher cash rewards, with first prizes of US$4,500 (about RM14,000 at the time) for the Men’s and Women’s Open categories in 2011.
However, by 2012, the Men’s Open first prize was reduced to RM8,000 and the same amount was offered in more recent editions, including in 2025.
Jafry said the event continued to attract world-class runners, including competitors ranked 11th, 13th and 18th internationally, reflecting its growing appeal.
Jafry said the competition also played an important role in promoting Sabah internationally, allowing athletes and visitors to experience Mount Kinabalu’s natural beauty while strengthening the state’s appeal as an adventure tourism destination.
“We are discussing whether we can provide some assistance to support our local runners in participating in the series around the world,” he said.
Jafry believed Sabahan runners had the potential to compete against international athletes and would benefit from greater exposure and experience overseas.
The 24.5km race was organised by the Sabah Tourism Board through its subsidiary, Sri Pelancongan Sabah, in collaboration with Sabah Parks.
It attracted about 253 runners, with participants representing 26 countries, including Malaysia.
Italy’s Alex Oberbacher, 32, emerged victorious in the Men’s Elite category, completing the gruelling course in 3:20:54.
He finished ahead of compatriot Daniel Antonioli, who clocked 3:23:46, while Japan’s Shoma Otagiri came in third with 3:29:54.
Making his Climbathon debut, Oberbacher described the race as one of the toughest but most beautiful competitions he had experienced.
The Italian runner, who hails from the Dolomites, said the steep ascent and numerous steps had taken a toll on him, particularly as the course climbed towards Mount Kinabalu’s 4,095.2m summit.
Although he normally performed better on uphill sections, Oberbacher said he struggled during the climb before making up ground on the descent.
“The downhill was very, very good, and I did a good downhill, so this is the reason why I won this race,” he said.
Meanwhile, Spain’s June Villaroel claimed the Women’s Elite title, while Russia’s Markov Evegenii won the Men’s Veteran category.
