29th Mt Kinabalu International Climbathon

The winners of the event left to right-John, Wincentbert,
Safrey, Sandi, Viola and Tahira

KOTA KINABALU: The 29th Mt Kinabalu International Climbathon held at the Kinabalu Park in Kundasang Ranau, saw participation from 18 countries, with the bulk being from Malaysia at 91 participants.

The rest were from Singapore, four, three each from the United States, the Philippines and Hong Kong. There were two each from Brunei, France, Japan and Kenya, while one participant  from each of the countries Australia, Finland, Britain, Indonesia, Mexico, Spain, Taiwan and Tunisia. 

Malaysia won the Elite Men category with locals Safrey Sumping, who clocked in at at 2.21.33 closely followed by Wincentbert Latius 2.22.58. Kenyan John Kipkorir Rutto of Kenya closed in at 2.28.23.

Meanwhile in the Women Elite Category, Sandi Menchi Catlona Abahan of the Philippines won the

race at 2.58.48, followed by Kenyan Viola Jepchirchir Kimeli at 3.11.42. Malaysian Tahira Najmunisaa Muhamad came third at 3.22.22.

The event was flagged off by the Minister of Tourism , Culture and Environment Datuk Masidi Manjun flagged off the event.

The track for this year's race was set at 26km but because of bad weather, the participants were only

required to complete 20km. The weather had not been fine since the previous day and the night before the run, strong wind persisted until almost dawn.-AG