Mt Kinabalu Climbathon to be included in Skyrunner World Series next year

KOTA KINABALU: The Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon will be elevated to a higher level. 

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said it will be included in the Skyrunner World Series calendar next year. 

After seven years, the prestigious race, known for its short cutoff times, was revived last month.

“This event will be one of the stops in the international running series where runners under the International Skyrunning Federation (ISF) worldwide will participate as a prerequisite to being crowned the best runner in the world.  “This initiative is part of the Ministry’s agenda to highlight the uniqueness of Sabah as a UNESCO ‘Triple Crown’ destination,” she said during the Ministry’s winding-up session on the Sabah 2025 Budget here yesterday.  Liew also said Darvel Bay Park, which will become the tenth park in Sabah under the Sabah Parks Enactment, is expected to be gazetted in March next year.  Since the State Cabinet approved the proposal to gazette the area as Darvel Bay Park on January 13, 2021, the Ministry, through Sabah Parks, has undertaken extensive preparations and planning.  “Sabah Parks has identified several strategic locations suitable for operational offices and potential tourism hubs, such as the coastal areas of Silam and Bakapit.  “Land applications for these proposals have been submitted to the relevant District Land Office for approval.  “Currently, Sabah Parks is collaborating with WWF-Malaysia to develop a holistic management plan specifically for Darvel Bay Park.  “This collaboration has involved extensive consultations, dialogues, workshops, meetings, and other engagements with stakeholders, including government agencies, research institutions, and community representatives from all affected districts.”  The Ministry is committed to ensuring that this gazettement benefits the communities in the affected areas, including job opportunities, and positively impacts Sabah's tourism industry development.  She also said Sabah Parks is committed to increasing the coverage of protected areas and has proposed several sites for gazettement as parks.  “Among the proposed areas are Tambisan waters, the former Mamut mine, Mantanani Island, Mengalum Island, and Ligitan Island.  “I urge the members of this assembly to fully support this commitment, as the gazettement of these areas directly enhances Sabah’s portfolio of premium tourism products.”