Borneo International Marathon

The Borneo International Marathon (Abbreviation: 'BIM'; Bahasa Malaysia: Maraton Antarabangsa Borneo; Chinese: 婆羅洲國際馬拉鬆賽; Japanese: ボルネオ国際マラソン, Boruneo Kokusai Marason) is an annual marathon event held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo Island. Since its inception, the marathon has become a symbol of endurance, community spirit, and charitable giving, attracting participants from across the globe.

The inaugural race was held on 12 October 2008.^[1] This is the first marathon in the state for over 20 years.^[2]

The Borneo International Marathon was started by Andrew Voon (from 2008 to 2011^[3][4]), Christopher Nielsen (from 2008 to 2010), Urs Weisskop (from 2008 to 2010) and Simon Amos (from 2008 to 2010).

Marathon was first held on October 12, 2008, launched by Championship Sport Events Sdn. Bhd. The late Andrew Voon served as the Race Director.

The inaugural event featured three race categories—10km, 21km, and 42km—and drew 529 participants. This marked the beginning of what would grow into one of Borneo’s most significant annual sporting events.

On June 18, 2011,^[5][6] the running community was deeply shocked and saddened by Andrew’s sudden passing. In his memory, a group of his running friends successfully registered the Kinabalu Running Club (KRC) (Malaysian Malay: Kelab Larian Kinabalu; Chinese: 京那巴魯跑步俱樂部), which has undertaken the task of organising the future Borneo International Marathons.

Committed to continuing Andrew’s legacy, KRC,^[7] led by Dr Heng Aik Cheng and a passionate group of volunteers, has maintained and expanded the event, staying true to its charitable mission. Since the transition, the event has raised over RM1.1 million^[8] for more than 36 charitable organisations, supported by the contributions of the running community, partners, sponsors, suppliers, and contractors.

The Borneo International Marathon has grown significantly since its inception. By 2016, the marathon celebrated a milestone of over 10,000 participants from more than 50 countries.^[9] The marathon's increasing popularity positioned it as the biggest and longest marathon in Borneo, and the third-largest marathon in Malaysia,^[10] following the Kuala Lumpur Marathon and the Penang Bridge International Marathon.

From 2017 to 2019, the Kinabalu Running Club partnered with UNICEF Malaysia to introduce the UNICEF Borneo International Marathon. This collaboration focused on using the Borneo International Marathon as a platform for social awareness through activities and educational content, with each year dedicated to a specific theme addressing issues affecting children and the broader community.

In 2017, the theme was #ThisAbility,^[11] which aimed to highlight the abilities of children with disabilities and promote their inclusion in sports. The initiative allowed children with disabilities to participate in the marathon, changing the way runners and the public perceived and interacted with them.^[12]

In 2018, the theme shifted to #StandTogether - Say No To Bullying, Yes to Kindness. This campaign encouraged children and young adults to stand up against bullying and foster kindness within schools and communities. Students from SMK Sanzac, the school that won the coveted title of “Malaysia’s Kindest School” following competition activities organised during Kindness Week 2018, attended and participated in the run.^[13]

The 2019 campaign was centred around the theme #KurangManis^[14] (translated as "Less Sweet" in English), because I’m Sweet Enough.^[15] It emphasised promoting healthy eating habits among children and adolescents, addressing the growing concerns about sugar consumption and its effects on health. The campaign was integrated into the marathon through special events and messaging, encouraging participants to make healthier dietary choices.^[16] Lisa Surihani, UNICEF National Ambassador in Malaysia also participated in the race.^[17]

The Borneo International Marathon features several race categories:

*remained since 2019

These categories allow runners of different levels to participate, from elite athletes to casual runners.

In addition to the standard race categories, the Borneo International Marathon also includes a 3-kilometre walk specifically tailored for participants from the Special Olympics Sabah, Malaysian Parkinson's Disease Association, and Palliative Care Association Kota Kinabalu. This initiative reflects the Kinabalu Running Club's commitment to inclusivity and community involvement, providing opportunities for individuals of all abilities to engage in and experience the marathon.^[18]

The original route^[19] took runners past the University of Malaysia Sabah and 1Borneo Hypermall on the first leg of the full marathon then back past Jalan Istiadat and through the city out to Tanjung Aru before turning round to return to the sports stadium. The new route enters the university campus and introduces some tricky hills to the hill-averse distance runners making the marathon one of the toughest in Asia.^[20]

This list of winners below only applies to Full Marathon (42km) only.
Key:   Course record

The Kinabalu Running Club also co-organises the Borneo Half Marathon in collaboration with the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu). This event is held in conjunction with the annual Kota Kinabalu City Day celebrations.

The Borneo Half Marathon features two race categories:

*remained since 2024

These categories allow runners of different levels to participate, from elite athletes to casual runners.

Since its inception, the Kinabalu Running Club, through the Borneo International Marathon, has been deeply committed to giving back to the community. The marathon is more than just a race; it serves as a powerful platform for supporting local NGOs and charitable causes. Over the years, this flagship event has raised over RM 1.1 million, benefiting more than 36 charitable organisations and causes both within Sabah and beyond.^{[23][24][25][26]}

• Borneo International Marathon Official Website