Liew (fifth left) with others showing the race poster.
KOTA KINABALU: The Tropical Rainforest Run 2023 is set to take place at Tawau Hills Park on Nov 26, 2023.
This year’s race offers two trail options: the challenging 21km Tropical Rainforest Trail Run and the family-friendly 6km Sulphurous Springs Fun Run, welcoming both seasoned and novice participants.
The race aims to raise awareness about rainforest conservation and emphasise the biodiversity present in the ecosystems of Tawau Hills Park.
In line with the event’s theme, participants will have the opportunity to run among the world’s tallest tropical trees such as the Yellow Meranti Tree (Shorea Faguetiana).
Tawau Hills Park holds a record of having the second tallest trees in Sabah, reaching a height of 99.2 metres as of 2019. Moreover, the park is also home to various wildlife, including the Borneon gibbons, Grey-leaf monkeys, Red Leaf monkeys, hornbills, rare pheasants, civet cats and more.
The 21-kilometre route runs through the Mount Lucia trail, which has an elevation gain of 800 metres. Participants can choose to register as a group with a minimum of 5 persons per team or as individuals for the following categories: “Men Open”, “Women Open”, “Men Veteran” (age 40 and above), and “Women Veteran” (age 35 and above).
The second trail is the 6km Fun Trail Run, which guides participants to the iconic turquoise-coloured sulphurous hot spring route. This race welcomes individuals of all backgrounds who want to fully embrace the beauty of nature and savour the wonders of the rainforest at their own leisurely pace. While surrounded by untouched wilderness, participants will also have the opportunity to potentially spot the park’s diverse wildlife and plant species, including endemic wild plants such as the ‘Elephant’s Ear Orchid’ and Begonia Lamriana.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said the Tropical Rainforest Run serves as a platform to encourage a healthier way of life within the community, providing participants with a chance to truly value the rich natural resources that Sabah offers.
How To Participate
Two registration options are available for the 21km tropical rainforest trail run. For group registration, the fee is RM188, while individual registration is priced at RM208. The 6km Fun Run, on the other hand, is available at RM108 per participant. The registration fee includes a race pack that entitles runners to receive a running t-shirt, race bib, finisher’s medal, and a digital e-certificate. Runners can collect their race packs on 25 November 2023.
This year’s race, with 250 registered participants, is attracting runners from not just Malaysia but also from around the world, including Kenya, Australia, Canada, Japan, Indonesia, and Singapore.
Additionally, the event is excited to welcome back top runners from Tropical Rainforest Run 2019 who will be competing again in this year’s race:
1. Walter Herman (2nd place, Men Open)
2. Sapirin Sumping (4th place, Men Open)
3. Milton bin Amat (5th place, Men Open)
4. Daved Simpat (6th place, Men Open)
5. Sinapilin Sarawi (2nd place, Women Open)
6. Satriana Sahilin (3rd place, Women Open)
7. Adelinah Lintanga (4th place, Women Open)
8. Jusery bin Gani (2nd place, Men Veteran)
9. Ruston Masri (3rd place, Men Veteran)
10. Guianus Salagan (4th place, Men Veteran)
11. Jassica binti Lintanga (1st place, Women Veteran)
12. Kona Liaw (3rd place, Women Veteran)
Exciting cash prizes and vouchers valued at over RM50,000 await participants, along with exclusive rewards and lucky draws sponsored by Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG). Those interested can still secure your spot at www.hellosabah.com.
In support of the ongoing conservation efforts by Sabah Parks, 10% of all running fees will be allocated to support the park’s conservation projects.
Convenient shuttle services will be operational on 26 November 2023, offering pickup locations from Tawau Municipal Council to Tawau Hills Park. Departures are scheduled at 4:30 am and the return trip to Tawau Municipal Council is set for 2:00 pm upon the race’s completion.
The Tropical Rainforest Run 2023 is privileged to be supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Environment Sabah (KePKAS), Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture (MOTAC), Sabah Tourism Board (STB), and Tourism Malaysia. The event is also co-organised by Sabah Parks, Tawau Municipal Council and Tawau Runner Club, and made possible through generous sponsorship from key partners including Borneo Royale Hotel, PMG Pharmacy (Tawau), K2 Drinking Water and Tritonic.
For more updates of the event, follow @hellosabahmy on Instagram and Facebook. For registration inquiries, contact Wenceslaus via email at wences@sabahtourism.com or reach out to Sri Pelancongan Sabah at (+60)88 232121.
