New Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon route promises more fun

SINCE its inception 25 years ago, the Mount Kinabalu Climbathon has tested the mettle of so many participants, who have endured the gruelling climb up the 4,095m-high peak for the glory and lucrative cash prizes.

Next year, as part of celebrations to mark the 26th year of the race, the organiser will introduce several key changes to the route but will maintain the race's iconic name and the RM100,000 cash prize.

Instead of scaling the mountain, participants will run the 23km route from the Mount Kinabalu Park to Kundasang town.

Three-time open and three-time veteran champion Guainus Salagan said the new route would remain competitive for seasoned athletes and, at the same time, friendly for the thrill-seekers.

"The race to the peak, at present, has a cut-off time and participants who cannot reach the summit in about three hours will be disqualified. Not many can do this, but they take part simply for the fun of it.

"Hopefully, we will see more runners participating with the new route, which covers the summit trail from the park to the Layang-Layang area, at 2,800m above sea level, and then down the Mesilau trail.

"People may find it not as tough but I believe it will offer a different kind of challenge," said Guainus, 42, who finished third in the Men's Veteran race on Saturday.

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Spaniard wins 25th Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon title a third time

THREE races, three wins. That sums up Spaniard Killian Jornet, who clinched the Men's Open title in the 25th Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon in Kundasang yesterday.

The 23-year-old university student clocked two hours, 37 minutes and four seconds in the race up and down the mountain to beat defending champion Marco De Gasperi from Italy, who was 44 seconds behind.

Jornet, who studies sports science, was also the winner in his debut race in 2007 and repeated his feat when he returned in 2009. He bagged the top prize of RM13,500, while Gasperi won RM12,500.

Third-placed Luis Alberto Hernando, also from Spain, won RM10,500 after clocking two hours, 42 minutes and 36 seconds, while the best Malaysian finisher was park ranger Saffrey Sumping, who came in sixth in two hours, 55 minutes and 12 seconds.

A total of 203 runners started the 21km race and Gasperi, who won the race twice before, was the fastest to climb the 4,095m-high peak at one hour, 37 minutes and 49 seconds, an effort that won him a 24-carat gold pendant.

The 31-year-old runner kept his pace on the way down but Jornet, who was four minutes behind Gasperi in the climb, proved to be stronger in the descent.

"I caught up with him once we reached the steps (after clearing the rocky surface near the summit) on the way down and stayed closely behind all the way," Jornet said.

In the last 3km, Jornet overtook Gasperi and did not look back.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Spaniard wins 25th Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon title a third time

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Rubber tapper claims fourth title in challenging Mount Kinabalu race

KOTA KINABALU: Wearing only a pair of RM8 shoes locally known as adidas kampung, a rubber tapper broke an eight-year Malaysian jinx by grabbing the women's title at the 25th Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon.

Danny Kuilin Gongot outpaced New Zealander Anna Frost and American Brandy Erholtz, who came in second and third respectively, to bag the US$4,500 (RM14,000) prize and the gold medal in the women's category of the annual event at this World Heritage Site, near here, yesterday.

It was the fourth title for the 44-year-old Sabahan from Kampung Nadau, at the foothills of the majestic mountain in Kinabalu Park in Kundasang, about 75km from here, after her last wins in 2003, 1998 and 1997.

No Malaysian woman had won the race since 2003.

Danny clocked a time of 3:41:29 to beat 101 women climbers, who raced 21km up and down the 4,095m-high peak, the nation's highest.

Interviewed after she completed the event, Danny said she was dedicating the win to her parents, who never stopped encouraging and supporting her.

“They are not in good health now, so this win is for them,” she said, thanking the heavens for her victory.

“I never thought I could win against many younger and fitter runners,” added Danny, who trained for just two weeks running three times up the mountain in preparation for the competition that was billed “the world's toughest mountain race”.

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Sabah Mulls Turning 'Rhythms Of Kinabalu' Into An International Event

KUNDASANG -- The Sabah government is mulling over the idea to turn 'Rhythms of Kinabalu' into an international event to promote the annual musical performance at the base of Mount Kinabalu as another tourist attraction in Sabah.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said the organising of the event by the Information Communication and Culture Ministry, with cooperation from Tourism Ministry, had inspired the state government to turn the event as a new entertainment-based tourism product.

"We want to take this opportunity to promote Sabah's music and culture to the international community.

"Coincidentally, the event is being organised to complement our annual Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon," he told reporters after representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman at the opening of the event here Saturday.

Masidi said the state government was also prepared to be the main sponsor for the event next year and would hold further discussions with the ministry on the proposal.

Deputy Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Maglin Dennis D'Cruz said the Rhythms of Kinabalu was one of the 20 programmes to be organised by the ministry, with cooperation from Tourism Ministry, over the next three years.

He said the ministry had also fixed Oct 19-20 for the organising of the event next year.

Continue reading at: Sabah Mulls Turning 'Rhythms Of Kinabalu' Into An International Event

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Sabahan Reclaims Mount Kinabalu Climbathon Women's Title

KUNDASANG -- After an eight-year drought, Malaysia's Danny Kuilin Gongot today reclaimed the Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon women's champion title.

Kuilin, 44, who last won the race in 2003, clocked 3:41.29s to win the race dubbed the world's toughest mountain race.

However, she came in second at the summit with a time of 2:20.17s behind United States' Brandy Erholtz, who romped home in 2:11.19s.

Danny Kuilin was ahead of last year's first runner-up Anna Frost of New Zealand, who finished the race in 3:50.38s, followed by Erholtz in 3:52.21s.

"I'm happy that I'm in good health today. I didn't expect to win, just to finish the race," Danny Kuilin told reporters after crossing the finish line.

Continue reading at: Sabahan Reclaims Mount Kinabalu Climbathon Women's Title

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Mount Kinabalu climbathon set to be more challenging

KOTA KINABALU: Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon is set to be even more challenging next year.

The new 23km route will require runners to race from Kinabalu Park up the mountain until Layang-Layang Hut. They will then go down the Mesilau trail before descending to Kundasang town at the foothill of the mountain.

Billed as the world's toughest mountain race, it is aimed at testing the endurance of competitors by running up and down Mount Kinabalu.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said next year's competition would be known as Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon: Adventure Series.

Come Oct 22 to 23, the 25th edition of the climbathon will be the final time that participants run the traditional 21km route up and down the 4,095m mountain.

The present route requires participants to run from Timpohon Gate the entry point to the summit trail to the peak and back.

Explaining the new route, Masidi said it was time for an overhaul of the race.

The new route will be thrilling and challenging for the runners.

He said the state wanted the competition to be a sports tourism event instead of just a sporting activity.

Continue reading at: Mount Kinabalu climbathon set to be more challenging

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English soldier takes on Borneo trek in memory of POWs

BOMBARDIER Michael Fitzgibbon has made history by trekking 164 miles through the Borneo jungle in memory of prisoners of war who died in one of history’s worst atrocities.

The Middlesbrough-born soldier, of the Royal Artillery, retraced the steps of thousands of prisoners of war (POWs) who lost their lives during the Second World War’s Ranau death marches.

The 26-year-old was part of the first post-war group to follow the route British and Australian POWs were forced to take by their Japanese captors from Sandakan to Ranau in Sabah in 1945.

Of the 2,432 prisoners, only six Australians survived by escaping and all 641 British POWs died, either on the death marches or by execution. More than 400 of these British soldiers were members of the Royal Artillery and its attached arms and services.

The former pupil at St David’s School, in Middlesbrough, who joined the Army straight from school, called the challenge a “once in a lifetime experience”.

He said: “Being Commando- trained I like to think I am always at a decent level of fitness, but I did a little bit more endurance training to build up.

“Humidity was a challenge as it was a different environment. I have been to the jungle before but this was a different type of jungle so there was a lot unknown and it was a case of suck it and see.”

Michael and his 14-strong team took part in a ceremony to dedicate a Royal Artillery memorial in the English Garden of the War Memorial Gardens in Kundasang, Sabah - 66 years after the final POWs were executed at Ranau.

Continue reading at: English soldier takes on Borneo trek in memory of POWs

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British heroes of Sandakan-Ranau Death Marches remembered

There was a solemn air at the Kundasang War Memorial as large crowds gathered to remember British prisoners of war (POWs) who fell in the infamous 1945 Sandakan-Ranau death marches.



Local dignitaries, led by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai, and top brass from the British army, led by Colonel Commandant of the Royal Artillery Major-General CC Wilson, were present at the ceremony to pay tribute to the fallen heroes.



A total of 641 British PoWs died in the Sandakan-Ranau death marches.



A series of forced marches through marsh land and dense jungles in Borneo also caused the deaths of over 2,400 allied PoWs.



Of the figure, many also died in prison camps in North Borneo (Sabah) after they were captured by the Japanese during World War II.



Only six people, all Australian servicemen, survived the horror after they managed to escape.



“This is a simple yet important ceremony to remember all those who sacrificed their lives for a Sabah that we now cherish,” Dr Yee said.



Describing the event as a very moving ceremony, Gen Wilson said while all these were history, the past continues to haunt people these days.



“We had not really understood what the ordeal was sixty-six years ago until Major Tulloch John did all this research and we came to know that the Royal Artillery suffered very badly.



“The death march is a terrible thing to have happened,” he said.



Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: British heroes of Sandakan-Ranau Death Marches remembered

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British soldiers re-trace routes of Sandakan-Ranau Death Marches

RANAU: Lieutenant Harry Hyslop thought that after five months of strenuous training, he would be ready for one of the biggest challenges he had ever embarked on.



Although the 23-year-old British soldier knew he was in for a surprise, Hyslop was very much determined to pursue this lifetime opportunity.



Just a few months back, he found out about the Sandakan-Ranau Death Marches.



“I knew that British soldiers served in Myanmar and Vietnam, but not in Borneo. What was more intriguing was the death marches involved Australian and British soldiers. I have never heard of that part of the history until recently,” he said.



And when he heard about a selection process to pick British soldiers to embark on the first ever journey to re-trace the routes of the death marches, it did not take him long to sign up for the challenge.



At least 40 soldiers signed up for the challenge, but after thorough screening, the number was reduced to 14. Hyslop was among the lucky ones.



“It was a challenging experience one could ever feel throughout the march, but it was also equally fascinating. It was fantastic.



“I have always like challenges, it is for physical development. When I learned about the death marches, I was very much intrigued. The more we talked about it, the more I wanted to do it (the walk).



“In a way, I believe it is a way for me to show tribute to the fallen heroes. It is a historical moment that should be re-liven,” he said when met at the Kundasang War Memorial yesterday.



Although he was happy to be able to complete the challenging walk, Hyslop admitted: “I do not think I would have survived if I had walked the walk about six decades ago.”



The Sandakan-Ranau Death Marches were a series of forced marches in Borneo which resulted in the deaths of over 3,600 Indonesian civilian slave labourers and 2,400 allied prisoners of war held captive by the Japanese during World war II at prison camps in North Borneo (now Sabah).



By the end of the war, of all the prisoners who had been incarcerated at Sandakan and Ranau, only six Australians survived, all of whom had escaped.



It is widely considered to be the single worst atrocity suffered by Australian servicemen during the Second World War.



The idea to re-trace the routes was mooted by retired Major John Tulloch of the Royal Regiment of Artillery in England.



“I was visiting Sandakan in 1999 and made a shocking discovery. Of the 641 British soldiers who served here, 400 were from our regiment. So I thought to myself, something must be done to honour them.



“And so I set my course, met up with some expatriates and locals who introduced me to the right group of people. They gave me the encouragement and told me that it can be done,” he said.



Tulloch spoke to several others who shared his passion, and he was more determined than ever to make his dream a reality.



Well like any beautiful stories, Tulloch’s determination and passion pushed through. Fast forward several years later, and after getting the green lights from the relevant authorities, he managed to inspire enough people to re-trace the death marches routes. And as the saying goes, the rest is history.



For the 65-year-old, what was more interesting was the involvement of the Sixth Malaysian Royal Regiment which also sent 15 soldiers to accompany the Britons in their journey.



“We have the memorial service to honour the dead on August 27 annually, but I felt there was something lacking. So by having the walk to re-trace the death marches routes which ends with the memorial service, it would bring a lot of difference, it is like the pinnacle on top of everything,” he said.



Tulloch understands the challenges one has to endure when trekking through the thick jungles.



“I know the jungle very well but that does not mean I lived in the jungles. I grew up in Penang and as a child, I used to run in the hutan (jungle) a lot, as oppose to doing homework … that was my early exposure to jungle life, an early jungle training.”



Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: British soldiers re-trace routes of Sandakan-Ranau Death Marches

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Biggest ‘Jalur Gemilang’ logo on Mount Kinabalu creates record

KUNDASANG: A ‘Jalur Gemilang’ (national flag) logo hoisted on Mt Kinabalu has made it into the Malaysia Book of Records as the biggest at the highest peak in Southeast Asia.



The logo measured nine metres high by one metre wide by five metres long and weighed 191.5 kg.



Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin, who is chairman of the Sabah Merdeka Celebrations Main Committee, officiated at the close of the project and presented a certificate to Fifth Infantry Brigade commander Brig Gen Datuk Abdul Halim Jalal in Taman Kinabalu near here on Tuesday.



Yahya said the project was implemented by the Fifth Infantry Brigade with the assistance of federal ministries, state departments and public agencies.



Eighty climbers, 34 of them from the army and 46 from various government agencies such as the police, Royal Malaysian Navy, Civil Defence Department, Sabah People’s Volunteer Corps, Sabah Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Radio Televisyen Malaysia, Fire and Rescue Department, Immigration, Health Department, Broadcasting Department, Sabah Parks and the Kota Kinabalu City Hall, took part in the project.

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Kundasang War Memorial being upgraded for visitors’ safety

KOTA KINABALU: The State Government has no intention to demolish the walls of Kundasang War Memorial Park but is making improvement to it for the sake of safety, said Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Masidi Manjun.

He said an engineering inspection has revealed a section of the wall in the Contemplation Garden had cracked due to earth movement in Kundasang.

“The engineers said it is necessary to provide granular materials such as sand at the base and the back of the retaining wall to facilitate water drainage,” he said.

“It is important to reduce the structural weight of the wall. To do this, it is necessary to remove the existing masonry wall,” he said at a press conference yesterday after presenting prizes to the winner of state-level Forum Remaja competition at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Hall in Likas yesterday.

Masidi said the wall is in imminent danger of collapsing and rectification work is necessary for the safety of visitors.

He said the monument is important and every care will be taken to preserve it but the safety of the public is even more important.

Continue reading at: Kundasang War Memorial being upgraded for visitors’ safety

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Kinabalu Park - Chilling out in a tropical destination

Kinabalu National Park in Sabah (Malaysia Borneo) – a UNESCO “world heritage site” with over 4,500 types of flora and fauna, 326 birds and 100 mammalian species – also boasts Mount Kota Kinabalu, which at 4,095 meters above sea level, is Borneo Island’s highest mountain.

Both attractions are located a four-hour drive from Sabah’s capital city Kota Kinabalu and it’s where we truly enjoyed some much needed respite from the city hustle and bustle.

The main highlight, however, was visiting Masilau Nature Park, situated at 2,000 meters above sea level at the southwest corner of Kinabalu National Park. At the nature park, we’d experienced thick foggy weather condition and temperature that dropped to below 10 degrees Celsius.

Indeed, Masilau Nature Park – which is often exposed to erratic weather conditions – is known as the coldest part in the national park.

Before heading to the nature park, we had the opportunity to check out Kundasang Village, located six kilometres from Kinabalu Park.

The village’s close proximity to Mount Kinabalu also proffers panoramic views of the majestic peaks, valleys and quaint village settlements situated on mountain slopes. The picturesque village is ideal for taking lots of snapshots!

Also an “agricultural” hub, Kundasang has a thriving vegetable market which is open daily. With most of the vegetable stalls managed by locals, comprising mainly native Dusun and the minority Chinese community, look out for local specialities such as fresh cabbage, mushrooms (such as shitake and black mushroom varieties) and baby kai lan.

One of our tour guides had said that some of the varieties of greens are sold at the lowest prices available in Sabah!

For those who’d prefer to buy local handicrafts such as batik, among others, check out the many souvenir stores in the village.

Old-world kopitiams (coffee shops) also dot the village – and where you can enjoy an aromatic cuppa while immersing in the surrounding’s languid pace, before taking a 30-minute drive to the Masilau Nature Park where high-adrenaline activities, among others, are available.

At the foot of Mount Kinabalu, the Masilau Nature Park is where “mountainous” vegetation thrives, such as verdant ferns and other sorts of medium-height flora and fauna.

Before embarking on your trekking experience at the nature park, you must register and pay a fee at the park’s headquarters nearby the upscale Masilau Nature Resort, where chalet-type accommodations are available.

The “Masilau” moniker is derived from the small waterfall which locals claim was originally yellow in color (‘silou’ is yellow).

Having gone where most amateur trekkers have surely threaded in the past, the rather easy-to-trek Masilau Trail is equipped with proper plank walks and specially built wooden staircases along some sharp bends and steep slopes – all passing rocky terrain and other parts with lush greenery.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Kinabalu Park - Chilling out in a tropical destination

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Aussie Minister, MPs complete Sabah Death March walk

Ranau: Australian Defence Minister (Material) Jason Clare, Independent MP and "king-maker" in recent Australian politics, Robert Oakeshott, planted a tree each at the Last Camp, Saturday, to mark the completion of their five-day Death March walk.

A total of 1,787 Australian and 641 British prisoners of war died. Only six Australians escaped and survived.

Clare was the first full Australian Defence Minister to ever retrace Sabah's Death March trail.

But, significantly, the Death March is intimately related to Independent MP Robert Oakeshott, who gained world fame for his "king-maker' role in the recent Australian hung Parliament, because his grand father, Captain Dr John Oakeshott, was one of five Officers and 10 ordinary soldiers who survived beyond Japan's surrender but was unfortunately executed on August 27, 1945, at the Last Camp, at Kg Kenepir, 5km south of Ranau town.

Joined by Liberal MP Scott Morrison - Shadow Minister for Immigration and a group of 12 students from nine schools in New South Wales, the high profile politicians walked 90km through tough and humid jungle sections of the 1945 Death March trail between Bauto to Gambaron, Maliau to Koporon, Taviu to Liwagu, Nabutan to Muruk to Marakau, although the full length of the Death March trail from Sandakan to Ranau is 265km.

The walk culminated in a profile service at the Church Campsite, Ranau, followed by a visit to the Last Camp Memorial where Robert Oakeshott paid tributes to his grandfather, Captain Dr John Oakshott.

They later visited the Ranau War Memorial, Kundasang, for their last ceremony, officiated by historian, Lynette Silver, who was their interpreter throughout while Tham Yau Kong and his pack of 10 guides provided the support.

Continue reading at: Aussie Minister, MPs complete Sabah Death March walk
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Nabalu Town: A gateway to the rest of Sabah

By Rahmat bin Haji Abdul Rahman

The town of Nabalu in Sabah, which is famous for being a central stop for travellers heading to Kundasang, Ranau, National Park or the east coast of Sabah, was established in the 1980s.

When making frequent trips to Sabah, it is wise to have a stop in Pekan Nabalu when on the way to the east coast.

The last two decades has seen many changes, especially in regard to economic and infrastructure developments on Mount Kinabalu.

When in KK, it would be best to venture out early, (around 7am) as the city becomes quite congested. The new town bus station situated in Inanam is about 10km from the city.

You could take a bus here, provided you make enquiries with the bus driver first, whether they go to Inanam. It is easier to take a taxi, but it may cost you a little bit more.

If you stay at a hotel that provides its own shuttle bus to the bus station, you can also use its services.

If you choose to pick a Mount Kinabalu climbing package from travel services, it is very likely that they will provide transportation.

Tourists get to meet the friendly people of the indigenous Dusun, Kadazan, Rungus and Lotud ethnic tribes.

Pekan Nabalu is well-known as a place for tourists interested in buying cheap souvenirs.

You can haggle as much as you want to but you need to learn tactics in regard to how you can bargain with the locals. If you purchase a lot, you can get a huge discount. In fact, suave customers will call it a 'steal'.

It makes one think of a mini yet well-organised market targeting both locals and more specifically, tourists from overseas.

Some of the souvenirs were genuinely crafted and weaved by the local ethnic tribes who live on the slopes of Mount Kinabalu.

There are also other items ranging from food and fruits to spices and handicrafts. Besides handicrafts, there are also stalls selling food and beverages.

There are spices and honey in bottles, as well as packets of local red and black rice packed by the locals, bearing no commercial labels.

Shifting cultivation covers most of the hills in the area and at Km 33, the roadside stalls of Pekan Nabalu are well stocked with local produce.

This is a regular tourist stop where good-quality handicrafts can be purchased as well as the deliciously nutty flavoured brown hill rice - a specialty of the area, mixed together with extra sweet pineapples.

The restaurants are clean and well-organised, even the wash room was cleaner than expected!

One of the young shop owners, a teenage girl treated us very nicely with discounts and free gifts!

It was also observed that the T-shirts purchased here were nowhere to be found in the city of Kota Kinabalu (not even at the famous Filipino Market or Sunday Market) and most importantly they were cheap.

Sitting amidst sheer tranquility and fresh air, the spick-and-span surroundings that characterise the town centre makes Nabalu the ideal stopover for local and foreign visitors who crave nothing but scenic nature.

The village is cradled in the mountains and agricultural activities abound in surrounding areas.

Tourists can handily stop at the handicraft stalls in Nabalu and buy fruits to bring back.

There are various types of craft sold in these outlets including key chains, bracelets, clothes, hats, traditional musical instruments, bags and local fruits such as durian type N24, mangosteen, rice and others.

Take nothing but photographs and fond memories, leave nothing but footprints and smiling faces.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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Kinabalu World Heritage Site Gallery a new attraction

Kundasang: The Kinabalu World Heritage Site Gallery has become the latest attraction at Kinabalu Park here, showcasing the park's unique features and rich natural heritage, befitting its status as a World Heritage Site.

It was officially declared open two days ago by State Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Ellron Angin, in conjunction with Kinabalu Park's 10th anniversary as a World Heritage Site.

Sabah Parks research and education coordinator, Rimi Repin, said the gallery comprised three sections, one of which was a three-dimensional display of the park's physical features.

The other sections are a diorama landscape showcasing the park's biodiversity, and information on the park's selection as a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

Continue reading at: Kinabalu World Heritage Site Gallery a new attraction
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Kinabalu Park remains World Heritage site due to its diverse biodiversity

Kundasang: The diverse biodiversity at the Kinabalu Park has enabled it to remain among the 911 World Heritage sites from 151 countries in the world, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Ellron Angin said.

He said of the 911 heritage sites, only 180, including the Kinabalu Park, were assessed for their natural environment, which was high in biodiversity.

Sixteen of the sites were in critical stage due to uncontrolled human activities, he said when opening the Kinabalu Biodiversity Expo, here, Thursday.

He called for public cooperation to help maintain the ecology at Kinabalu Park so that it could continue to be a world heritage site.

Ellron said the Kinabalu Park was part of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation world heritage status since 2000 for its outstanding universal values and its role as one of the most important biological sites in the world.

"Kinabalu park is not only important as a world heritage site for future generation, but also to increase the economy of the people with the arrival of tourists," he added.

Continue reading at: Kinabalu Park remains World Heritage site due to its diverse biodiversity
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Mount Kinabalu Climbathon 2010 - Italian Wins Climbathon, But Spaniard Takes Home World Series Title

KUNDASANG (Sabah) -- Spain's Tofol Castaner took home the men's title of the 2010 Skyrunners World Series after he amassed 347 points overall when the final leg of the series, the 24th Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon, concluded here today.

Despite finishing third in the race up and down Mount Kinabalu, Castaner's 347 points was enough to bring home the trophy.

Italy's Marco De Gasperi won the race in a time of two hours 33 minutes and 56 seconds, setting a new Climbathon Men's Open record after beating the old record he himself had set in 2003 (2'36.59s).

Castaner clocked 2'58.09s, while Nepal's Sudip Kulung, who made his debut this year, finished second in 2'46.14s.

Continue reading at: Mount Kinabalu Climbathon 2010 - Italian Wins Climbathon, But Spaniard Takes Home World Series Title
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Mount Kinabalu Climbathon 2010 - Albets nabs women's open title

Kundasang: When Nuria Picas Albets first got started in the sport of mountain running she never imagined she could win a world championship event in her debutant year of competing.

Her unexpected victory in the Women's Open race at the 24th Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon, yesterday, led her to discover how much a first world series victory could mean to an athlete who is as tough and competitive as the sport itself can be.

The joy she felt from winning the race reduced the 33-year-old Spaniard to tears as she crossed the finish line with arms held high in disbelief and celebration.

"I cannot believe it that I wonÉthis is my first year competing and to win this World Series event is the most happy feeling I can experience.

"It is incredibleÉI was in tears at the finish I could not believe that I won," said Nuria, who completed the race in 3:28.07s.

The time it took for her to reach the 4095.2m summit was 2:15.15s.

"I enjoy all kind of sports but mostly I do cycling. I never competed in running before so I took time to train and prepare.

"I took part in many events back in Spain and managed to finish second in the World Series in Italy and fourth in another race before that," said Nuria, adding that she was invited by her team to compete in the Climbathon.

Nuria said she enjoyed the race here and would like to return next year to compete again.

For her efforts, Nuria pocketed the US$4,500 winner's purse.

Meanwhile, Italian runner, Emanuela Brizio, who was forced to be content with a third place finish, said she suffered muscle pains and cramps in her legs.

"I tried my best to win the race but was fourth as I reached the summit and on the way down I went as fast as I could but fell and scraped my arms and legs," said the 42-year-old nurse.

Brizio, who was the 2009 champion, completed the race in a time of 3:34.22s to earn a US$3,500 cash prize.

The third place finish however was enough to give Brizio the Skyrunners Worlds Series title after accumulating a total of 381 points.

Continue reading at: Mount Kinabalu Climbathon 2010 - Albets nabs women's open title
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