Kinabalu Climbathon

I've just participated in the Kinabalu Climbathon. Deemed as the world’s toughest mountain race. Check out the route For the record, I didn't meet the qualifying timing i.e., I did not complete the race.

For those who have not been to Gunung Kinabalu, it is located at Sabah, Borneo Malaysia. A typical itinerary is to trek 6km up to Laban Rata at 3,261m. Time taken to get from Kinabalu Basecamp to Laban Rata range from 4-10hours, depending on the fitness of the individual. Day 2 starts at 0300hrs to trek up to the summit in the dark at 4,096m to catch the sunrise at 0600hrs.

Kinabalu climbathon starts at the 0km marker. Participants are treated to 9km of continuous uphill to the summit and backtrack to the 0km marker. After passing the 0km marker is another 3km to the ending point. Bringing a total of 21km of arduous mountain running.

It started early for the runners on the race day Jason and I got up at 0400hrs to get ready for the pick up from our lodge at D’Villa to Kinabalu National Park. At the National Park, we waited at the restaurant for a second transfer to the starting point very near to the 0km marker. We chatted with other runners who are from UK. Most of them fly into Sabah just to do this run. It seems to me that most of them are pretty serious about this run. I felt I’ve taken for granted in my training. I would have trained really hard if I’ve had signed up for a run in the Alps.

Race kick off time is 0700hrs. At 0600hrs, runners and supporters are gathered around the starting point. It’s not like the Singapore SC marathon where there are 20,000 participants. For the men’s open category, the estimate no. of participant are no more than 150. The sun has just risen and temperature is approximately 10 degree Celsius. I reluctantly remove my track pants and fleece jacket. Now I am dressed in my running shorts and sleeveless quick dry T-shirt. I can be chilly even with the slightest wind. Jason and I went for a short jog to keep ourselves warm.

I met Joanne Soo. She couldn’t recognize me because we only spoke once on the steps of Dairy Farm. Back then she was still training for Everest. But I recognize her of course, she and the Everest Women team made it up to the Everest summit this year.

Joanna was one of the supporters from the group of Singapore who trained together for the climbathon. Armed with a SLR, she was busy snapping photos of the Singaporeans. She took part in the race for the woman’s open yesterday. I learned from her that it’s going to be a hard run. We took a group photo and she went off to snap away.

I spotted a guy in socks and sandals. One of these sandals had a broken buckle. I wonder if he know what he’d signed up for.

Race kick off at 0700hrs sharp. 3 mins into the gentle slope and I was panting. Back in Singapore I was running at sea level while the race start at 1866mt. My first reminder of how tough and ill prepared.

My heart rate was constantly at a high of 75% and above. It wasn’t long before the pain in my feet gets worst and I was struggling to run, I had to settle for a brisk walk whenever my legs and lung cooperate. At appropriate interval, I’ll encourage myself with Gatorade in my handheld water bottle.

By 0915hrs, I arrived at Laban Rata. I was hoping for a great view. Unfortunately, it was obscure by clouds. I saw Jason turning back and decided to follow suit. There is no chance I can run 3km and ascend 700mt to get to the Summit in 15mins. I also have to consider the injury in my feet. I don’t want to push too hard and aggravate the pain in my feet.

So that was pretty much my experience for my first Kinabalu Climbathon. I consider myself doing poor this time. But I enjoy myself very much; the lure of the mountain and the challenge compels me to come back with Jason next year. Our goal is to get Malaysia toughest wristband on the summit of Gunung Kinabalu.

Now I have to put in effort to research on training for Kinabalu Climbathon and stay committed to the training.