25th Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon 2011
>> October 24, 2011
The 2011 edition of Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon was held over the weekend (22-23 October, 2011) in Ranau, Sabah - 2011 also marks the 25th anniversary of an outstanding race in the most beautiful and wonderful location of mountains in Southeast Asia or if not in the World!! and as usual, World's top runners from Europe (most from World Syrunner Series) were taking part in this course which regarded the toughest in the World. There're three categories - men open (23rd/10), men veteran & women open (22nd/10).
The champions L-R: Hernando, Killian Jornet, De Gasperi |
In women category, 44-year-old Danny Gongot of Ranau clinched the first place in 3:41:29, surprisingly it was her 4th title after 1997, 1998 and 2003 editions. With the victory she received USD 4,500. She was reported to wear only a pair of "cheap" and less suitable footwear namely "adidas kampong" (rubber tapper's shoe) which costs less than USD 3.00 (RM 9.00). In spite of that, she shocked two experienced foreign runners, Anna Frost (3:43:41) of New Zealand and American Brandy Erholtz (3:50:35) who in second and third positions respectively. Danny Gongot's cousin Yusuf Sumbad won the men's veteran category, dethroned local favorite and defending champion Guanus Salagan in the second place.
The race first held in 1987 with a goal of "train people to fast rescue" as helicopter could not operate during bad weather, and now for the 9th consecutive year the Kinabalu Climbathon has been a part of the only 16 races of Sky Runners World Series (including 9 world series trials) held in 12 countries across 4 continent each year.
Video promotion for 2011 edition
Photos of the Kinabalu
Photos courtesy of:
Sabah Tourism
TheStar Malaysia
The Sabah Times
Mt. Kinabalu Tvavelogue
Southeast Asia feet the warmth