2026 Borneo Half Marathon
The 2026 Borneo Half Marathon will take place on 2026-02-08 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. The event is held annually as part of Kota Kinabalu City Day celebrations, offering participants a scenic route through the city's urban and coastal areas. On race day, temperatures in Kota Kinabalu are expected to range between 24°C and 30°C, with high humidity typical for the region. The race features two distances—21 km and 11 km—both starting and finishing at Padang Merdeka, the central city square. Runners will traverse a fully paved road course, experiencing a mix of urban streets, waterfront pathways, and views of the South China Sea and Mount Kinabalu. The event emphasizes accessibility and inclusivity, catering to both competitive and recreational runners.
What distances are available for this event?
- →21 km Half Marathon
- →11 km Run
What are the start and finish locations for each race?
- →Both the 21 km Half Marathon and 11 km Run start and finish at Padang Merdeka, Kota Kinabalu.
What are the start and cut-off times for each race?
- →21 km Half Marathon: Start at 4:30 AM, cut-off at 8:00 AM (3 hours 30 minutes)
- →11 km Run: Start at 5:30 AM, cut-off at 7:30 AM (2 hours)
What is the terrain like for each race?
- →21 km Half Marathon: Fully paved road course through urban and waterfront areas with flat to gently rolling terrain
- →11 km Run: Fully paved road course on city streets and waterfront pathways with minimal elevation change
What are the course highlights for the 21 km Half Marathon?
- →The route winds through the heart of Kota Kinabalu, passing iconic city landmarks and offering scenic stretches along the South China Sea waterfront. Runners will experience a mix of flat urban sections and gentle coastal roads, with potential views of Mount Kinabalu on clear mornings.
What are the course highlights for the 11 km Run?
- →The course takes runners through central Kota Kinabalu, exposing them to coastal vistas and city landmarks. The route features runnable surfaces with minimal elevation change, making it ideal for first-time runners and those seeking a scenic morning run.
What are the finisher rewards for each race?
- →21 km Half Marathon: Technical finisher tee and medal for runners completing within the 3:30 cut-off; digital certificate available online post-race
- →11 km Run: Medal and digital certificate for runners finishing within the 2-hour limit
What are the prize money details for each race?
- →21 km Half Marathon: Top 5 overall (all categories) receive 1st RM 1,300 | 2nd RM 800 | 3rd RM 500 | 4th RM 300 | 5th RM 200
- →11 km Run: Top 5 overall (all categories) receive 1st RM 600 | 2nd RM 400 | 3rd RM 300 | 4th RM 200 | 5th RM 100
When is race pack collection held?
- →Race pack collection is scheduled for February 6–7, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at Dewan Serbaguna Masyarakat Luyang, Kota Kinabalu.
What is included in the race pack?
- →Participants will receive their race bib and event tee during race pack collection. A sports expo is open to the public during the same period.
What are the key notes for runners?
- →Early morning start times require pre-dawn arrival; runners should arrange transport to Padang Merdeka in advance.
- →The tropical climate in February typically ranges from 24°C to 30°C; hydration strategy is essential.
- →Both courses are road-based with no trail or off-road segments; standard road running shoes are recommended.
- →Route maps are available as downloadable PDFs from the event website prior to race day.