Kiulu Adventure Challenge returns Dec 4 with RM18k prize purse
Kota Kinabalu: A total prize money of RM18,000 awaits the winners in the 2nd Kiulu Adventure Challenge (KAC) which is set to take place on December 4.
The race which involves running (15km), cycling (30km) and rafting down the famed Kiulu river (7km) is organised by the Kiulu Tourism Association (KTA) and supported by the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) and Tourism Malaysia ™.
STB Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai who initiated the race a year ago said in a press conference on Thursday that the main objective for the event is to promote Kiulu as a recreation and adventure destination.
“Our main purpose is to introduce Kiulu as an eco-tourism destination and with that the participants of the event will get the chance to witness some beautiful scenery in the area.
“It is also going to be tough as the name suggests and those adventure enthusiasts who love the challenge are encouraged to participate.”
The event will be divided into several categories with men and women for the running event; men, women and veterans as well as juniors aged 13-18 for the cycling event while the team category are for three men plus a woman or three men plus one man veteran.
Joniston said the addition of the Boys and Girls category is taking into account the growing popularity of such adventure races among the young.
“The introduction of the Boys and Girls category is in line with our objective to promote Kiulu as a recreation and adventure destination for families.
“Participants and visitors will also have the chance to win lucky draw prizes such as airtickets, electrical goods, hotel accommodation and sports gear.
Furthermore, there would be various activities, such as traditional games with attractive prizes to be won, sampling of Kiulu’s traditional food and drinks and display of authentic local handicrafts, for family members and the public at the Adventure Centre,” he added.
The race will start and end at the Adventure Centre at Kg Rangalau Lama, Kiulu and participants will receive a T-shirt and certificate, and a medal for those who complete the race within the stipulated time.
Meanwhile, KAC chairman Octavius Usman said the event is one of the association’s initiatives to promote eco-adventure tourism in support of STB’s concerted effort to promote rural tourism as a new and viable source of income for the rural community as well as to create awareness on the importance of conserving the pristine Kiulu River.
“At the advice of the Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkui, who is also KTA’s adviser, we have been working very closely with the local community, through the Kampung Development and Security Committee (JKKK), to provide knowledge and guidance to improve their standard of living by engaging in tourism activities,” Octavius said.
“In the long run, we aim to make Kiulu, which is only about an hour drive from Kota Kinabalu, as a renowned adventure hub offering a variety of activities to adventure and nature lovers,” he added.
The KAC will begin with a 15km run along the Kiulu valley, before a bumpy bike ride on the banks of the Kiulu River and ends with a refreshing raft ride down the river.
Octavius said considering the encouraging response and to accommodate as many participants as possible, registration would be opened until the very last minute.
Those interested to participate could contact Suslisa at 019-8515431, Ahmadul Tahir (Race director) at 019-8511225 or Authet J Kimon (Event director) at 013-8860080.
Source: Daily Express
